Happy New Year, Y’all!

First, lets discuss, briefly, the Substack sized elephant in the room. Yes, this is a new platform from the one you subscribed to (if you were among the first wave of subscribers). The tl;dr is that Substack simply had too many issues with ethics and morals (and knowingly allowing Nazis on their site…) to justify building a following there. So, we have moved and are now here on Beehiiv!

Now, onto more fun things! I’m going to share of my favorite things from 2024!

• Favorite TTRPG I played

• Favorite book I read

• Favorite movie I saw

• Favorite drag number I saw

• Favorite album I listened to

• Favorite video game I played

• Favorite live performance

Favorite TTRPG I Played

I don’t think it would shock anyone I know to learn that Moonlight on Roseville Beach was easily my favorite game I ran this year. This queer game of disco and cosmic horror has enraptured me with not only some of the best artwork in any TTRGP, but it is a rules-lite game that allows for rich and deep storytelling. With a d6 dice pool mechanic, it keeps things moving quickly while still allowing players to be as creative as they want. If you love horror, you owe it to yourself to check this out!

Honorable Mentions: Burning Hearts Forever (you’ll find out why in February), Don’t Call Me Angel, and Hometown Holidays

I would also be remiss if I didn’t post about the group we had playing this game for the pod! They were an incredible crew, and I’d like to think we did something really fun with our miniseries!

Favorite Book I Read

This short story collection is from 2022, but as always, I’m behind on reading or keeping up with anything. While I did not read a ton in 2024, this book has STAYED with me. The short stories are loosely connected by even shorter interludes that take us on some wild rides. Keeping in my theme of creepy cosmic horrors, this book is a fantastic addition to anyone’s library.

Favorite Movie I Saw

I was going to try and be edgy and pick something other than Wicked, but let’s be honest… it’s Wicked. I’m a musical theater kid turned TTRPG actual play producer / performer there was no other option. Ariana and Cynthia gave us everything and more in their performances. Plus, Jonathan Bailey gave us the HORNIEST version of Dancing Through Life, and no man will ever be good enough for me unless the gently kiss my forehead and catch me with their boot as I fall backwards. That’s the bar now.

Honorable Mentions: I’m a horror girlie at heart, so there were a few additional movies that really got me this year. I Saw The TV Glow. Deadpool & Wolverine. Smile 2. Slay (Tubi exclusive). There are probably others I’m forgetting because I can’t remember what all came out this year, whoops. Time is a construct.

Favorite Drag Performance

Boston Drag is truly something special, which I’m sure everyone feels about their respective cities, but our community here is quite honestly just amazing. I’ve been to Pokemon grass themed (on 4/20), Weird Al all drag king, Cowboy Carter themed, and drag trivia nights hosted by the incomparable Missy Steak in our local barcade.

However, my favorite performance of the year comes from JustJP during the Shrek 2 Original Soundtrack night at Full Spin Drag.

So, so many honorable mentions to put in here, so I’ll just shout out Boston drag performers you should absolutely go check out: Neon Calypso, Missy Steak, MT Hart, Mike Hawk, Killah Croc, Candace Persuasion, Juicy Garland, Onyx Reigns, Travis Ti, Tequila Cowboy, Lilly Rose Valore, Tilda Watersclear and soon to be on Drag Race season 17 Kori King!

Favorite Album of 2024:

Okay, let me preface this with that I do love Beyonce and Cowboy Carter, but my personal favorite album this year was Megan Thee Stallion’s Megan. I love and adore Megan Thee Stallion, and this album was so, so good and has been on repeat for me since it dropped.

Favorite Video Game I Played

I know this came out in 2023, but I didn’t dive into this game until 2024 because I’m perpetually behind. Yes, I’m talking about Baldur’s Gate 3. I’ve played other games like Divinity Original Sin, Pathfinder, Pillars of Eternity, etc. and none of them quite clicked for me in the way that they should have. However, this game grabbed me from the beginning and surprises me every step of the way. I am notorious for not finishing games, but this one had a (consensual) chokehold on me right up until the end.

Favorite Live Performance

This year Boston Calling had a ton of incredible people on their lineup, which included Renee Rapp and Megan Thee Stallion! My favorite of the festival was none other than Chappell Roan. She was on Sunday in the early afternoon, and I’ve never seen so many people at the festival for a Sunday afternoon. The energy was incredible, we all scream-sang Hot To Go, and it just felt good. As we head into 2025, I’m holding onto these moments of queer joy, as they’re the things that will sustain us.

Heading into 2025

There are so many things to look forward to, and I hope that everyone finds the things that bring them joy and hold onto them as we navigate an even worse political climate, global terrors every day, and simply trying to exist in the world.

Thanks for reading through some of my moments for joy from the year, and we’ll see you in the new year!