2020

Such crazy year. Really hope 2021 is better and not a NG+.

Books

My reading was all over the place in 2020. Most of the books I read were pretty mediocre. I re-read several Murakami novels (especially by the end of the year). His distinctive ambiances are a powerful narcotic to me.

• Lord of The Mysteries, Cuttlefish That Loves Diving

  I spent most of the year reading this. It's a gigantic beast with hundreds of chapters and never-ending volumes of simple, escapist fun.

• KISSA BY KISSA, Craig Mod

  I miss Japan so much. Since this was an enforced “no trip” year, I obsessed over this book as a way to get there. Pair it with Tokyo-ga for maximum awesomeness.

• The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking, Oliver Burkeman

  Very nice exploration of the negative path. I like how Burkeman goes deep into a number of things, arriving on the same conclusion as the stoics: Life is not about being happy, but to be in peace.

Music

• OLD NICK - Curse Of The Lock Master

  First wave black metal mashed up with Dungeon Syth. What not to like. Check also the amazing split between OLD NICK and Hex Clock.

• Skeleton — Skeleton (My album of the year)

  2020 was such a clusterfuck that my album of the year had to be this one. Such a great release. Clocking under an hour, a lovely blackened d-beat punk album with sludge and NWOBHM influences.

• Show Me a Dinosaur — Plantgazer

  My "I want to be Svnbathed album of the year". Works well as a double session with Deafheaven's end of the year live album.

• Kaatayra — Só Quem Viu o Relâmpago à Sua Direita Sabe

  Só quem viu sabe. Best album of this one man black metal band (something like a Brazilian Panopticon)

• The Microphones — Microphones in 2020

  Amazing "stuck at home by the end of the year" album. Dust glistens over the sunlight while I sip an already cold espresso and read something.

• Bebopovsky And The Orkestry Podyezdov — Coronavirus

  Early in the pandemic, I got into a crazy loop of wine and noir jazz, where I played this track non-stop for weeks.

Non 2020 release that I was obsessed with:

• Dominique Guiiot — L'Univers De La Mer

  So many repeats over the year. So. Many.

Tech

• Tabori's Engine system for Roam

  Newest version of the first templating engine made for Roam. I use it together with Roam42 Smartblocks, and prefer it for templates. Not public yet.

• Hey.com

  Haters gonna hate. I love opinionated tools and Hey is an amazing example of it. After a couple months experimenting back and forth, I'm with it for the long haul.

• Generate Roam Site (Action)

  Worked with David Vargas on this, and used it for years to run this website.

• My Minimal Roam Theme

  I’ve worked on the Neue Roam Theme for most of the year, but decided to move on and use a very simple CSS sprinkle on top of vanilla Roam. Less stuff to fix and still looking good.

Assorted

• Cheap and Shiny pair of loafers

  I got this pair of loafers for $40 and used them most of the time I have been outside this year. They are still brand new.

• Servitors’ Card

  I worked with Tommie Kelly on a custom illustration based on The Healer and The Protector. I'm very happy with the results and will treasure the print forever.

• The Shinobi TEX Keyboard

  I love this one so much—Buttery MX keys (got the silent reds) with a TrackPoint. If you have a Thinkpad fetish like me, it's a must.

• HARIO Switch Immersion Dripper

  My daily driver since getting it. Effortless way to make tasty coffee. I'm using 16g of finely ground beans for 220g of water.

Things I'm tired of

• COVID-19
• Social Networks
• Infinite Timelines
• Games
• Productivity/Self-improvement Treadmill
• Multi functional devices

  Fuck mobile phones. I want to read books on my kindle (or dead-tree book), listen to music on a vinyl player and not be tempted by gazillions of apps trying to steal my attention.

Things I'm looking forward for next year

• The Vaccine
• Mask free life (I doubt it will come next year, tho.)
• Motion

  Heard very good things about this chrome add-on. People compare it to Superhuman. I think it may replace a bunch of other extensions / apps I've been using.

• Oda Speakers

  Really curious about this. If I get 10% of a live show vibe, it's worth it. I like the live ambiance they seems to provide too.