Remember when I did this last year? I thought it was a good way to place a quantitative value on a number of qualitative experiences. What gets measured gets managed, right? Just as before, the 2019 year in review highlights what I watched, read, wrote and filmed these past 12 months. Let’s get started.

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Movies Watched: 67

I thought this year was be dominated by hotly anticipated sequels of the Marvelous and galactic variety. That’s partly true, but it was really more about pleasant surprises for me.

I Am Mother (Netflix)
  • Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – The visual presentation is simply stunning, firmly solidifying Miles Morales’ position in the franchise.
  • Joker – Deeply disturbing and possibly taking itself too seriously, but the craft and cinematography here were truly unparalleled.
  • American Factory – Yes, even a documentary made this list. It’s about a Chinese company running a factory in the U.S. and the culture clash that results.
  • I Am Mother – I didn’t expect much from this sci-fi film set in the near future, and that’s all the more reason why I enjoyed it so much more. Gripping, moody, and thought-provoking.
  • Bodied – At first, I thought this was a bad version of 8 Mile. I was right, but I was also wrong. Thoroughly entertaining if you enjoy rap battles.

Books Read: 30

While I didn’t quite surpass last year’s high mark of 33, I did manage to read 30 books this year. That beats the 2019 goal of 24 books by a comfortable margin.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
  • The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas – I really can’t recommend this book enough. A timely take on complex race relations in America.
  • Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore – I knew I was going to like this, as I also enjoyed Watchmen. Twisted and weird in all the right ways.
  • The Woo-Woo by Lindsay Wong – It’s not just about Asian representation (though that’s part of it). This is just one of those stories that no one else is telling.
  • My Squirrel Days by Ellie Kemper – As it turns out, she really is just like Erin from The Office or Kimmy from The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt… minus the bunker.
  • Put the F**king Phone Down by Josh Misner – This book was the inspiration behind the 30 day gratitude challenge, and I am eternally grateful for that.

Blog Posts Published: 167

As priorities have shifted over the years, so has the content calendar here on Beyond the Rhetoric. Even though I’m publishing less frequently — remember when I blogged daily? — I’m still averaging a post almost every other day. And yes, it’s a lot of food, just like my Instagram top nine.

Voodoo Doughnut (Portland, OR)

Based purely on the number of page views, the top blog posts of 2019 are as follows:

  • Trade Winds Restaurant – You can broaden your horizons without leaving town. This Indian-African restaurant just opened not that long ago here in Burnaby.
  • Asian Street Food at T&T – Many of us are familiar with this Asian supermarket. The “street food” section at the Lansdowne section offers a good value.
  • Portland Donuts and More Good Food – Unsurprisingly, a highlight from our Oregon road trip was partaking in some of Portland’s famous food.
  • Frozen 2: Disney Princess Powers – Well before the sequel hit theaters, I shared a theory how other Disney princesses may have superpowers too.
  • Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen – I like fried chicken as much as the next guy. I’m not sure I’d drive all the way out to the end of PoCo again for this though.
  • My Chinese Canadian Childhood – This didn’t quite make the top five in page views, but I felt it was one of the more personal posts this year, reflecting my unique upbringing.

YouTube Videos Posted: 29

For a year when I thought I was “ending the vlog,” 2019 still featured 29 video uploads to my YouTube channel. Go figure. I just can’t help myself.

While the selection of blog posts above was purely quantitative, these top vlogs are based on a little bit of favoritism too.

  • 5 Dads Go Wild Again – The second annual dad blogger camping trip was a success… aside from my tent collapsing twice under the snow.
  • Aurora Winter Festival – Who said Vancouver was a no fun city? Check out this fun light display (and more) on the PNE/Playland grounds.
  • Vancouver Christmas Market – Can you believe this German Christmas tradition has graced our city for 10 years now?
  • Lenovo 300e Chromebook – It is perhaps not without a bit of subtle irony that I am currently typing these words using this exact “education” Chromebook.
  • Oregon Coast Highlights – From ghost hunting in a decommissioned military base and exploring an old shipwreck, this was a trip to remember.

Looking Ahead to 2020 Goals

At the beginning of 2019, I decided my guiding words would be “Freedom and Rational Thinking.” I’ve tried to keep that mantra in mind, choosing to forgive myself more and guilt myself less. It’s with that kind of mindset, along with picking up a fitness tracker, that I’ve started walking more again. It’s a good feeling.

Mid-30s

Looking back at this year in review, many of the numbers are down compared to 2018. I wrote fewer blog posts, read fewer books, and shot fewer vlogs. And yet, 2019 felt more “successful” for me, both personally and professionally. I’m looking forward to what 2020 may bring.

What about you? How did your 2019 fare compared to 2018? What do you foresee in your future for 2020?

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