The End (of 2024) is Near

Sharing my fave Substacks I wrote this year and other odds & ends

There’s not a whole lot to report to you this week, but that’s to be expected for the liminal space that is the days between Christmas and New Year’s.

Me the past few days.

Christmas morning was spent opening some great gifts that I would have hated as a youngling. But, As I’ve gotten older, I’m getting more and more excited by more and more boring things. For example, I asked for pens this year. Specifically, Dr. Grip pens which just sound like something an old person uses. But I have old man hands, complete with old man wrists that get sore from normal pens so I don’t care. I even have an ergonomic mouse, but that’s a story for a different time.

A great pen if your wrists are sensitive too! Image: jetpens.com

On the flip side, Jenn got some fancy socks that I’ve seen her wear for several days now. So at least we’re both getting old together.

As for eating, we got a catering order from a local deli and it was SO. MUCH. FOOD! It was supposed to feed 4-6 people or, in our case, feed two people for 3-4 days. I have no regrets though as we didn’t see anyone for Christmas save for a quick evening visit from my parents.

Look at that bounty of food

Since it’s been such a quiet week and the New Year is quickly approaching, I thought what’s not a better way to ring in the New year than with some of my favorite Substacks this past year!

So, without further ado…

Ryry’s Top Substacks of 2024!

1. My Heart Is Full (of Cat Hair)

Based on views, this was everyone’s favorite post! Go figure it’s about a cat. But that’s OK, because he’s a cat I love very much! Written about when we first got Juno, it’s hard to believe it’s only been six months with him! He’s been a delight to have in our home and I feel like I’ve already spent years with him.

Published June 25th

2. Body Mass Index: Three Words That Ruined My Life

This was my favorite because of how personal it was. I was nervous writing about some of my struggles with body acceptance, but was wowed by the response and support I got for writing it. Thank you for reminding me it’s OK to be vulnerable.

Published July 2nd

3. In a Sea of CDs: How I Came to Love Physical Media

If you know me IRL and have been to my house, you know I looooooove collecting CDs. Within a year of starting my collection I’ve already amassed hundreds of CDs. This post was an ode of sorts to the joy of this hobby and an origin story for how I even got into it.

Published July 30th

4. Now That's What I Call (Non-Alcoholic) Beer

Ever since I got into running, alcohol has gotten way more of a hindrance when it comes to training for 5ks and half-marathons. But, as a Wisconsin boy, I love the taste of beer. So what’s a boy to do? Drink non-alcoholic beers of course! This post was fun to write since I got to both geek out about a fun new product I found while also offering a good dry option that can help with staying sober.

Published July 23rd

5. Decluttering, Hell in the Grocery Store, & Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition

I loved this post simply because it marked a turning point for me and my substacks. For months, I’d been trying to figure out the best way to organize my thoughts, and I felt like this was the first time I struck on a great formula that works for me. It’s got music. It’s got creative writing. It’s got my day-to-day life. All in one great place.

Published December 10th

Bonus Round:

Shitty Sleep and a Snowy Week

This one gets an honorable mention because I really liked the short story I wrote for it. It didn’t get many views due to Christmas, so I wanted to toot my own horn and get some more eyes on it!

Published December 24

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The Poetry Corner

I didn’t have much motivation to create something new this week, so I dug around and found something old. It’s from mid-2019, a very confusing and scary time for me. I’d gone through a rough breakup, was feeling lonely, and had been working yet another dead end job that was sucking the life out of me.

On top of all this, I was coordinating a move to another nearby city to be closer to my job I hated. The move was going to be simple enough, but I was scared to make the move because it meant I wouldn’t know what would happen next.

Would the new place be quieter?
Was the landlord as nice as he seemed?
Will everything be OK?

My future looked bleak to me and I felt like I was running out of time and options. This move had to work.

But, amongst the fear, I also recognized I’d made a lot of progress. I had been setting boundaries for myself. Respecting my mental limits and giving myself rest instead of running myself ragged. And, in that state of time, I wrote a poem to mourn the apartment and the lessons it held while also hoping for a better future.

For me, it did turn into a better future. I met my life partner Jenn just a few months later. I also lost my job right around when we met, but I got a new job just a week later. And while that job came with its own problems, Jenn and I survived it together. We survived the pandemic from our tiny one-bed apartment. We survived our dead end jobs. And we came to build on each other’s strengths and fall deeper in love as a result.

Years later, I find myself in a much better place with a much better job. It happened all so fast yet slowly. I wasn’t sure if I could stick out the rough spot, but I’m glad I did because I would have missed a lot of great things.

So, if you’re struggling, I’m really wishing good things come your way. I know what it’s like to be in that place and it’s not pretty. I hope this poem renews some hope in you and that a brighter future is just right around the corner.

Last Day

I walk through halls
where walls once held
laughter

leaving this apartment
my heart finally accepts
we’re moving forward
with no empty rooms
to revisit

leaving these walls filled
with laughter of old friends
loves long gone

it’s only been a year
but a lot sure does happen
there’s no going back
no empty room to rest in or visit

I mourn the love made
and lost here
friendships formed and lost touch

only new passages to fill
with new lessons and wisdom

I flick the light switch off
and close the door one last time
mumbling softly under my breath,
“Goodbye, old apartment”

Any critiques/compliments/complaints? Lmk in the comments!

This Week’s Music Pick

Grace Jones - Night Clubbing

I’d never heard of this album until a friend of mine introduced me to it, but I’m so glad he did! A fusion of reggae, R&B, dub, and funk, the sound of this album is unlike anything I’ve heard before.

Many of the songs are covers, but Sting specifically wrote “Demolition Man” to sing on Nightclubbing. Interestingly, Sting’s Band, The Police, would perform the song six months later on their album Ghost in the Machine.

This album as a whole is just so much fun to listen to and really gets me in the grooving mood. It’s great for sitting on your couch and zoning out, doing chores, or locking in during a writing session.

Ryry’s Reads

The Measure - Nikki Erlick

What if one day we all received boxes with strings that determine our lifespan? Erlick ponders this question through the eyes of eight different characters. So far it’s been interesting, though admittedly a little slow. I don’t quite get where the plot is going and will probably put it on the back burner for a bit, but I’m hoping she comes through in the end!

Rejection - Tony Tulathimutte

A collection of short stories, Tulathimutte peers into the lives of people that are clearly in pain and do bad things because of it. From a women’s rights advocate-turned-incel to a girl that can’t get over a one-night stand, these people suck, but you just can’t look away. It might not be your cup of tea, so I’d recommend checking out the first story The Feminist before you grab the whole collection.

(Serial) Killer Holiday Gift Ideas - Chris Stanton

Some macabre ideas if you’re looking to give some belated Christmas gifts!

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Odds & Ends - Arcade Edition

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

An old platformer series with a reskin! I played this way back in the day thanks in large part to my middle sister. She would blast the Red Hot Chili Peppers as she sped through each level with ease. And, while I’m not as good as she was, I still have a lot of fun with it. It’s got that old-school difficulty though, so be ready to die a few times!

Thank Goodness You’re Here!

The people of Barnsworth are so glad you’re here. They’re ready to put you to work in all sorts of odd jobs. From helping a man with stretchy arms with his grocery trip to helping a naked sailor find his six missing seagulls, you’ll never guess what task someone asks you to work on next.

Home Safety Hotline

You’re playing a call-center representative in the 90s, using your computer database to help people solve pest related problems. At first, it’s pretty normal with you giving advice on how to prevent raccoons from tipping over your garbage. But, as the story progresses, you have to tell customers how to get rid of stair slugs and other nefarious nasties. It’s a little eerie, but kind of fun. There’s also some great jazz in the background.

Mouthwashing

A wild story that takes place on a spaceship. Featuring a nonlinear narrative and PlayStation one-style graphics, you’ll be surprised how uneasy the plot will make you feel. Give this a shot if you’re looking to be weirded out.