Anthony’s Top Ten of 2021
Hello, and welcome to Anthony’s Watch Mojo top ten of 2021:
10. Did I Hear Dare? OUAB and Album Debut Performances
These two shows were not the most fun live gigs I have ever played. The most fun gigs I have ever played include The Summit Show, our first house show, and headlining at Ruby Tuesday. When I think of music passionately, I think of playing these shows. However, the OUAB and Album Debut performances were the first times we got to play songs from our album…and the last two times I got to play live with my bandmates. The only first, last, and only shows of 2021.
9. Snowboarding / Colorado Trip
I remember Brennan driving Matiss and I through Kansas. This was the furthest west we both had been (in a car), and neither of us had experienced the Rockies. We were listening to Matthew’s audiobook Greenlights, which was the perfect theme music for the opening scene. As we were watching the plains slowly grow into the magnificent main character; snow-capped mountains…I couldn’t help but think of “the Very Hungry Caterpillar.”
Driving to Colorado felt like watching a caterpillar turn into a butterfly…but with land…and not a children’s book.
More than this, getting to meet and stay with the Wiemer’s was the most wonderful experience. They are wonderful human beings and made the overall trip so much better.
Yeah- there are so many things that happened on this trip besides the snowboarding. I am realizing I probably should’ve ranked it higher.
8. Benching 315lbs
I haven’t really talked about my “Journey vs Goal” mindset shift on this blog yet…
Alas, achieving this goal felt so frikin good. Euphoric. Sometimes I don’t even believe I actually did it.
It’s one of those things that feels like a pipe dream and only really matters to yourself. 4 dedicated years of work, lead to a less than 10-second rep of a weight that I deemed worthy of achieving.
Three 45lb plates on each side of a 45lb barbell.
4 years, 315lbs, and less than 10 seconds of action that produced such joy, I was whooping and on my knees in the gym.
I can’t say it enough, but a huge thanks to my lifting partner Matiss for being a catalyst in achieving this dream.
(It’s so weird writing about this, but I don’t think that I have really worked out or lifted with as much vigor, since I have achieved this goal. It still feels like I “beat” or “100 percented” lifting. Like when I am in the gym, sometimes I just feel directionless and not as excited.
I did another rep of 315lbs the next week or so because the feelings felt so weird. (That rep was not as pretty lol)
Anyway! Yeah. I am due for some reassessing and refocusing of the fitness area in my life. I am currently working on it. A blessing and a curse this was).
7. Phone / Facetime
Ahhh yes, yet again, another thank you to Mr. Jobs for creating the iPhone. (Another blessing and curse).
2021, quarantine, and being at different points both physically and mentally, I put a lot of mileage on phone calls and FaceTimes. Specifically, in maintaining relationships and relaying information.
The latter, and those who know me, is due to me being a poor texter.
That is a can of worms for another day.
Alas, I am very grateful for the ability to sit down on weeknights by my bed, on the porch, or in my car and have a meaningful conversation.
I am so thankful for those conversations. From the 5min FaceTime to the hour and a half-long calls.
Those who were on those long FaceTimes or phone calls. Thank you.
I don’t know what I would’ve done without them
6. Wedding SZN
Mmmmmhmmm. My friends are getting married!!!
To the Scotts, the FitzGeralds, the Sylvesters, and the Harmanis’.
I was very blessed to play roles such as groomsman and musician for a couple of these fine couples :)
Idk. I like weddings.
They are long…
But for the most part, there is love in the air, a lot of happiness, free food and drink, and good people.
it is also a great place to see old friends and catch up on their lives..
I look forward to more.
5. Visiting Friends // Friends Visiting
There was a lot of travel for me this fall. I realized too late that it would’ve been more than worth it to get TSA pre-check…but that can be in its own blog post.
One thing about growing up is that there will come a point when all your friends are scattered across the country. Now that they aren't a stone's throw from campus or a CBR ride away, we have to sync schedules and “make plans.”
Making plans. The only certain uncertainty that will certainly bring about some stress. And if done properly, some hope, something to “look forward to,” and ultimately, joy.
I am very lucky to have friends who live in cool places. It is so much better being a tourist when you have friends who are locals. (Both in terms of having a place to stay and for things to do lol).
I am also lucky to have friends who have the will and desire to fly down to visit me.
I am looking forward to more of both of these things in 2022.
4. “Runnin’ Late”
DIHD? Breaking the top 10 TWICE?!?! How cool!
Jk, but also not.
Y’all probably know already, but my band, Did I Hear Dare?, released its magnum opus this past summer. The cliche, blood, sweat, and tears were poured into that album.
I am just so happy that it was created and that it exists.
If you haven’t yet, please give it a listen, and let me know what you think:)
3. Graduation
Oof. Another four-year-long journey, that ultimately felt like 10 seconds.
Everyone told me that college would fly by. Everyone. Even though I thought I heeded their warning …I still have this feeling to shake my head and say, “they were right.”
Reflecting back, honestly, college happened so fast. It came, I was confused and didn’t know what to do with my life, did a lot of random things, made a lot of awesome friends, then graduated with a finance degree. I still remember being “done” with school, and living on campus, and just having a feeling of “No no no, I am not done yet. There is still more, there has to be more.”
After all of the final “going away” parties, etc. I did feel sad…but what overwhelmed me was the drowning sense of disbelief.
Ultimately, I am so very thankful for all the memories, experiences, and people I met at tOSU.
And for those who are looking forward to, or are still in college…be aware of saying the phrase, “Yeah, I got a busy week this week, but next week should be better.”
Life is fast. Fast is life.
Go Bucks.
2. MOTOTrip ‘21
Ahhhh yes, the serendipitous 40-day motorcycle trip around the country with your best friend. Another thing that happened, and sometimes just doesn’t quite feel like it ACTUALLY HAPPENED!
Under-qualified, under-experienced, who cares.
There are so many people, places, and stories that came out of this adventure. (The amount of Life XP is unPAR-A-LLELED).
I don’t think I will ever forget about this trip. It was the trip of a lifetime.
To all of the friends, family, and strangers who helped us make it possible.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
1. [Austin, Texas]
Rounding out the 2021 top 10 is my move to Austin, Texas.
Now, to be honest, I think I place this here as kind of a cop-out…
Why?
I have gotten SO MUCH out of being in Austin thus far.
A few off the top of my head include: getting my first big-boy job, falling in love with rock-climbing(mostly the awesome community/friends I go with), fixing up a 1975 Honda CB400Four, starting a “motorcycle garage” (@thethirdwheelgarage), starting therapy and working on my mental health, the start-up scene and music-scene both of which I have barely dipped a toe in, and finally, living with two best friends as roommates!
And that's just the tip of it. There is SO MUCH stuff to do here…maybe even too much… I am thankful for all of it. I am very privileged and blessed to be where I am at. And I am so excited to see what is in store for 2022.
End:
Just as a clarifier and another reminder, none of these would have been possible without the wonderful wonderful people in my life. As corncasseroley as it may be (the quintessential combination of cheese+corn) none of this would have been possible without You. Thank you.
Thank you for reading to the end.
Thank you for being a part of my life.
Much Love,
Anthony