2023 has been long, but I must say, I’m beaming.
I recently listened to the Counting Crows’ mid-1990s alternative rock hit, “A Long December,” for the first time in years, and amidst the longing and resignation in the accordion and the drawn out vocals, I heard hope that “maybe this year will be better than the last.”
Now, about that: I’m no optimist. I tend to catastrophize, perhaps as a response to trauma and anxiety. And a lot this year gives me concern for the future of humanity–and the planet.
But at the same time, I have so much to be grateful for. This does not deny the horrific effects of climate change, white supremacy, and genocide, among other global traumas.
However, it does affirm that my instincts growing up–that I had so much to look forward to once I became an adult–were right. 2023 has been a horrifically momentous year, but I’m damn proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish.
I have multiple points of pride for my year, including a bountiful year of reading, a new living situation with roommates, significant work to improve difficult relationships, and recovery work to stop long ingrained habits.
If I had to give a sales pitch for why my year was amazing, the biggest selling point would be that in 2023 I sought and seized a wide range of new opportunities.
So, in no particular order:
I recently sent in a pitch to NPR about my choice for a song of nostalgia in my life.
I sent in a pitch to The Moth Radio Hour with a story about dating, mental health, and recovery. I haven’t heard back; we’ll see what happens.
I recently sent in a proposal to present my journal article on James Baldwin and music at the American Literature Association conference in Chicago in May 2024.
I was accepted to present the same journal article at the national Popular Culture/American Culture Association (PCA/ACA) conference in Chicago in April 2024.
I presented that journal article at the Midwest Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association (MPCA/ACA) conference in October of this year.
I landed on the waitlist for the Sundress Academy for the Arts writing residency for 2024.
I submitted my first ever strong book proposal to the 33 1/3 GENRE book series, on ‘90s country. I’m excited to find out the outcome, hopefully soon.
I applied for a full-time job opportunity in tutoring at one of the schools where I work. My application did not move forward after the first interviews, but it was still useful to apply.
I applied for a full-time job opportunity at another school where I work, and I’m excited to find out the outcome.
I applied to present at PopCon, a major popular music studies conference in March 2024, to present a paper on depictions of the past in current music history literature. I’m anticipating to hear soon about the outcome.
For major storytelling opportunities, I read for the first time at OUTspoken, a queer storytelling showcase, and Tellin’ Tales Theatre, a nonprofit company aiming to bridge the disabled and non-disabled worlds.
I recently submitted to an upcoming show with Tellin’ Tales with the theme, “The Body”--and WAS ACCEPTED!
I worked at two colleges in Chicago as a tutor for mainly writing, including multiple classes of embedded tutoring in ESL and other classes, and it went SO WELL! I also presented multiple presentations at my other job.
For the second year in a row, I served as Chair for the Illinois Woman’s Press Association’s High School Communications Contest, combing through submissions, coordinating judges and feedback, and judging in the ensuing national contest for the IWPA’s parent organization, the National Federation of Press Women. In the NFPW contest, Illinois students won First Place nationally in four categories, as well as placing well in others. I’m chairing the High School Contest again this year and am looking forward to seeing how it goes!
I nearly earned the Silver Feather Award for the most points across categories in the IWPA’s 2023 Professional Communications Contest in an especially competitive year–I felt exceptionally honored. I also placed in two categories for the national contest for the NFPW: Second Place in a blogging category for this blog and Honorable Mention in the Headlines category. For the 2024 contest, I have submitted what for me is an unprecedented number of submissions: 15 entries in 12 categories! I’m excited to see how the contest turns out and read the judges’ feedback on my entries.
And finally, in addition to blogging here at Spectrum Sounds, I published multiple new articles at PopMatters and Rainbow Rodeo, as well as reblogged articles at Good Men Project.
And to wrap up the year, here are a few choice writings I’ve published this year:
The article I’m proudest of: A Lost Revolution? 35 Years of 'Tracy Chapman'
The blog I’m proudest of: My Top 10 Favorite ‘90s Country Music Hits
To read about the most healing experience I had this year: June–Pride Month!
All the best to everyone in the new year,
Josh Friedberg