2011: A Year in MP3s

Make a little money,
Take a lot of shit.
Feel real bad,
Then get over it.
- Harlem Shakes, “Strictly Game”

2011 was certainly an interesting year for me: personally, professionally, politically, emotionally, the whole spectrum. In all areas, it began with peril, and ended with triumph. But I guess that’s the way I like it. There were so many twists and turns, a ton of misadventures, several highs, and several lows. I experienced things I never in my wildest dreams thought I would experience. Some bad, but mostly really good. It was a gigantic booster shot of life experience.

All told, 2011 was the best year of my life.

And as my friends know, I have this weird habit of cataloging my days with songs, much like a journal. In 2011 this became more of an obsession than ever. So now I have this great summary of my year, where I can conjure up how I felt on any given day, and reflect, generally with a smile and a laugh.

This year, I decided to try to pick one song for each month that I felt was the best representation of that time in my life. I came up with this list. Coincidentally, it makes for a damn fine breakup playlist.

• Viva Voce, “The Future Will Destroy You” from The Future Will Destroy You.
  
• Fitz & The Tantrums, “MoneyGrabber” from Pickin’ Up The Pieces.
  
• Harlem Shakes, “Strictly Game” from Technicolor Health.
  
• The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, “Belong” from Belong.
  
• Deerhunter, “Memory Boy” from Halcyon Digest.
  
• The Drums, “What You Were” from Portamento.
  
• School of Seven Bells, “Dust Devil” from Disconnect From Desire.
  
• Health, “Goth Star” from Goth Star.
  
• …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, “Weight Of The Sun (Or The Post-Modern Prometheus)” from Tao Of The Dead.
  
• Waters, “Take Me Out to the Coast” from Out in the Light.
  
• The Vox Jaguars, “Swagger” from The Vox Jaguars.
  
• The Naked and Famous, “Spank” from Passive Me, Aggressive You.
  

* * *

One last bit of advice: Life is going to throw you curveballs. Serious curveballs. Plans will be destroyed. Hopes and dreams quashed. It’s inevitable. What isn’t inevitable is how you react. You can curl up into a ball and let life kick your ass, or you can fight back. I highly, highly recommend the latter. Fight with gusto. Fight like your life depends on it.

Because it does.

I think that’s enough introspection and navelgazing for one year. Bring on the 2012. If the Mayans were right, I want to go out with a bang.

Posted from Houston, Texas, United States.