Daddy’s Favourite Things of 2020
Look, there are a lot of reasons to not be excited to look back at 2020 with any fondness at all. I miss my family and friends. I miss covering live music. I miss Ollie being able to be around other kids anmd adults safely. I miss a lot of things. But, in the darkness, there was some light and I’ve had some favourite things.
In this list of 10 favourite things of 2020 there are some things I’ve written about on this blog already. A book, a video series, a dad, but there are also things that I haven’t shared my love for. And maybe, if you like some of the same things I do, you’ll find something new to love as we put a wrap on 2020 and hope for a happier, healthier, 2021.
Ready? Let’s go!
Daddy’s Favourite Things of 2020
Favourite Album: Taylor Swift, folklore
I have loved Taylor Swift since she first released Tim McGraw as a single, and I’ve followed from country to pop along her journey (it helps that I like both genres already, so it wasn’t a stretch), but getting folklore in the hell year that has been 2020 was everything I didn’t know I wanted. The folky vibes, the darker tones, the explicit lyrics (for the first time in her career), the storytelling – it all worked for me, and while I’ve liked a lot of music this year, this was the pandemic created and released album at the top of my list.
Hell, I wrote about it twice at thereviewsarein.com
Taylor Swift, folklore Album Review
67 Thoughts and Takeaways from Taylor Swift’s folklore: the long pond studio sessions
Favourite Sports Podcast: No Dunks
Basketball came to halt with everything else in March, but that didn’t stop the No Dunks crew from recording and releasing a full slate of podcasts through the shutdown, into the bubble, and then into the wild and wacky postseason/draft/free agency timeline.
They talked hoops, Survivor, movies, continued to do mailbag Beach Steppin’ episodes, and Leigh went ahead and started Poppin’ Packs too.
From The Basketball Jones to NBA TV’s The Starters to The Free Agents to No Dunks at The Athletic – Skeets, Tas, Trey, Leigh, and JD have done a lot in their careers and did more than I could have ever expected in 2020. Thanks, y’all.
Find it on Spotify – CLICK HERE
Favourite Movie Podcast: Binge Mode
Mallory and Jason finished their Star Wars run in early February, went ahead and recorded a bunch of Ask The Underscore episodes, dropped three Saga pods, and then they dove into the Marvel universe and it’s been a joy to hear them talk about these movies.
I know that Jason Concepcion is leaving for a new gig at Crooked Media, but for now, we’ve still got Binge Mode together.
Find it on Spotify – CLICK HERE
Favourite Book: Cold Beer Here (My Summer as a Ballpark Beer Vendor) (by Freddy Ono)
My pal Freddy has been working as a beer vendor at Rogers Centre in Toronto (primarily during Blue Jays games) over the last few years – and he wrote about his 2018 adventures in Cold Beer Here.
I used to sit in the 500 level with Freddy watching games – so reading about his new ballpark experience was a lot of fun. He’s also a very talented writer and filmmaker, so this book doesn’t disappoint from a narrative and storytelling perspective either. A+.
Cold Beer Here (My Summer as a Ballpark Beer Vendor) Book Review
Favourite Children’s Program: Bluey
I don’t actually remember when we started watching Bluey, but it had to be some time in 2020. Since then, we have watched the first season more times than I can count or remember. Honestly. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen all of those 8-minute episodes.
Now we are waiting (as patiently as possible) for Bluey season 2 to come to Disney+ in Canada.
Please let it be soon.
Favourite YouTube Programming for Ollie: Rainbow Songs
This spring, when in-person toddler time activities were cancelled, Jess found Rainbow Songs and it became our go-to. The videos we had access to on YouTube kept Ollie entertained, fed his growing love for music, and gave us some sit down time in the mornings before naps.
We haven’t been watching for a while now, but Rainbow Songs was a big win in 2020!
Favourite Dad to Follow: Andy A.
My dude Andy is the bees knees. He’s a dad to two little girls who are a joy to observe in social media posts as they grow and play and learn.
I was also happy to have Andy come in and answer A Dozen Questions with Dad in July.
He’s a good dad and a good dude and I appreciate him. He’s also funny and a fantastic Twitter follow!
Favourite Emerging Artist Success Story: Robyn Ottolini
Robyn Ottolini has been on my radar as a local independent country artist for the last few years. I’ve interviewed her and seen her at shows and festivals and watched her work. In 2020, her single F-150 hit Tik Tok, gained a lot of steam, landed on a couple massive playlists on Spotify… and then she signed with Warner Music Nashville!
It’s a huge win for her. The result of a lot of hard work. And the recognition that big dreams can come true from small towns like Uxbridge, ON.
Watch out for Robyn Ottolini.
ps. When Dallas Smith told me in an interview that Robyn was one to watch (before the record deal was announced), I knew that she was on the right kind of radars and that people were finding her talent.
Robyn Ottolini – F-150
Favourite First Try Recipe: Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Like a lot of people this year, I did some more cooking and wanted to try new things. I didn’t do the baking trends that COVID gave us, but I did try ome stuff. And my favourite new recipe was Maple Bacon Baked Beans in the slow cooker.
They were a little runnier than I had planned or hoped for, but that’s going to be easy to fix with some more syrup and maybe a little less water next time. The recipe did take time because it includes soaking beans overnight, but the end result was tasty and it made lots of leftovers that I ate for days!
Runners Up: Stuffing, Quick Pickles
Favourite Sweet Treat: Crave Doughnuts
Crave Doughnuts’ Whitby home is in the same plaza as the salon Jess works at, so sometimes, if I’m lucky, she comes home with a sweet treat for us to share.
These doughnuts are fantastic. The flavours are experimental at times. They are HUGE. They are handmade. And on the overall – they are delicious!
Most recently I loved the hazelnut/chocolate/Ferrero Rocher flavour. The filling was spot on and the whole thing was very yummy.