So, here goes year 2022 in review in various random categories that pop into my mind while I’m writing this ad hoc. These are all personal level bests of the year.
Best Album: Utada Hikaru – Bad Mood
I’ve probably played this album the most this year, it is so easy to listen to and covers most moods I might have at the moment (and it has been a long time since I’ve listened to j-pop). Even Pitchfork picked this album to their top 50 album list of 2022 (though probably thanks to the more familiar co-producers on the album)! The track order and unnecessary bonus remixes are the only complaint I have about it.
This is also the only new vinyl album I bought this year (I’ve been quite lazy with vinyl collecting this year). Not only that, this is the first vinyl I ordered all the way from Japan. Obviously the most expensive vinyl I’ve purchased too (the delivery and taxes cost more than the product).
Utada Hikaru’s new album is the first Japanese album in vinyl I own. It will hold a special status in my limited vinyl collection.
Best Gadget: Casio G-Shock wristwatch
I’ve been wearing a Casio G-Shock wristwatch (GW-M5610U) for most of the year and I’m pleased with it after an initial regret. It may not have the best looks being faithful to its original design way back into the 80s, but it doesn’t bother me that much. So what do I like about this retro watch by today’s smart watch standards?
First, this isn’t even trying to compete with smart watches. In fact, that is it’s main strength. It focuses on giving its user long term reliability. With its solar panel, I never have to think about recharging or changing the battery. And with its built structure, I hardly give a thought about how to handle it carefully.
There are no Bluetooth or USB connections and firmware updates to bother with. Time is the only thing that matters and it has the ability to keep itself in sync with the exact time by receiving time signals from one of the six atomic time transmitters in the world.
It has an “always on display”, it is lightweight, sports basic functions like stopwatch, alarm and timer. No other distractions even as a possibility and will do its thing for years to come without the fear of it becoming outdated due to a new model being put into the market. Sustainability!
Just tell me the time, thanks. Distraction free design.
Best Movie seen in Theatre: Memoria
Memoria is dead slow and full of very long shots where literally nothings happens. It all comes down to the mindset one has when watching this film and I was lucky enough to get into the flow. The movie is in simple terms about a woman experiencing mysterious bangs no-one else hears, but on a wider scope about existence (I suppose). The best feeling I can hope when leaving the movie theatre is a sense of momentary awakening. This was one of them (even with the curious closure).
Also, there is a brilliant podcast where Tilda Swinton and the director discuss the stuff around the making of the film and its themes. I’ve watched many other movies by Tilda this year, but this interview revealed to me what a great mind she has on the art of cinema in general.
Best Internet Service: Mubi
According the Mubi’s retro stats of 2022, I watched 41 movies on their streaming service, much less than I hoped, but looking at the list I’m glad I’ve been able to see movies from so many different countries, eras and genres. It is a shame Mubi doesn’t seem to get any attention and everyone just talks about Netflix, HBO and Disney. Granted, Mubi won’t entertain as much, but damn does it give perspective.
41 movies in a year is decent as the first months of the year I had the service on pause.
Best Game: Wordle
I’m late to this craze, but it has turned out to be a great daily brain exercise while commuting to work. Of course it motivates and pleases I mostly guess within the limit the right word with ease. Unless it comes down to plain luck. And losing a streak just because you forgot about it during the weekend bites sometimes.
The only downside in this game is that it painfully exposes how limited my vocabulary with English really is, maybe one fifth of the words I manage to solve I really have no idea what they actually mean.
Oh, screw you Wordle for putting out words like these!
This year was unfortunately also packed with major global issues (war, sportswashing, the still ongoing pandemic, energy crisis, inflation, climate change, to name a few). I can only hope 2023 will be a better one. For all of us.