December 31, 2020

It goes without saying: 2020, buh-bye!

I dispensed with the concept of New Year’s resolutions long ago—because I’m pretty close to perfect (heh!)—and instead I pick a single word to manifest in the year ahead. I often ask friends what theirs would be too, which has become a fun (and accountability-ensuring) yearly custom of sorts.

So, dear reader. Last homework assignment before we all shimmy, gingerly tiptoe, or sleep our ways into the new year: WHAT’S YOUR WORD FOR 2021?

1.

Until I can re-park myself back in front of a fireplace somewhere, I’m chain-burning sticks of Astier de Villate’s “Stockholm” incense, which conjures up all the snuggly vibes of a crackling fire or wood-burning stove. (Thank you, C, for sharing!)

2.

Sometimes talking with friends about hanging out during COVID times can still be a tricky discussion to tackle. I gleaned a surprising amount of guidance and language tools from this recent episode of Call Your Girlfriend, in which Myisha Battle, a sex and dating coach, offers up advice on how to approach the issue with not only romantic prospects, but with family and friends, too. We have guidelines, but then there’s a lot of gray area when it comes to actual, real-life scenarios. Often it’s not just about who’s being safer, safest, or safe enough—though important, the word “safe” is starting to feel so loaded at times—but more like whether you’re aligned with someone else in how you’re each taking care of yourselves. Doesn’t that have a better ring to it?

3.

Next year we’re not going to fight about whose turn it is to flip the salmon! It took us three days to make our usual holiday gravlax, and then sometime around the third or fourth day of Christmas, this divine recipe for a one-hour method materialized.

4.

Dilemma: Should I invest in a new pair of running sneakers before my arches collapse, or shall I scoop up a colorfully patterned pair of these 100-percent recyclable, vegan riffs on the classic Birkentock, for when it’s warm enough to go sockless again? Seems like an obvious choice, but it’s not.

5.

If I could buy out an entire hotel like these vacationers, I’d be OOO by now. Even without getaway plans of my own, it’s been endlessly fascinating (and wanderlust-inducing) to read up on how travelers of different means and interests are making Covid-era vacations work right now. I have absolutely no ambitions to RV-it across the country, but a charming little Airstream parked outside of Palm Springs is a something I could climb aboard. This service, aka the AirBnb for trailers, campers and RVs, offers both.

Ok, everyone. Go think up your words, and get back to me. Happy New Year!

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