2014: YOU A FUNNY YEAR

2014. My favorite years are even numbered so these 365 days were a treat. Now we're on the precipice of an odd year and I am somewhat  skeptical of what it will hold. Before we spring ahead let us look back.

Here are a few musings on the past year's trends:

SECRETS MAKE FRIENDS

Secrets are nothing new. I guarantee even back in caveman times some cro-magnon man was holding in tidbits about the Pterodactyl who lived one town over. But now, the secret is kinda out on secrets. Between the mysterious untold truths on the most popular podcast Serial and the wildly mundane but entertaining SONY leaks, we're letting curiosity rule our consumption patterns. The bright side is, we're all talking about it, engaging in conversation for better or for worse.  I'm kinda okay with that considering I'm a 4 on the secret keeping scale.

MUSICALS ARE BACK IN THE MAINSTREAM (TO HATE WATCH?)Musicals used to be mainstream back in the 60s and 70s, then they took a break until - now? I'm usually all for musicals being introduced to a new generation but let's at least make them better than the originals! Purists are never going to say Annie didn't need remaking, because it was never that good to begin with (with the exception of Bernadette) - but Peter Pan? Ergh. That seemed like it set us musical lovers back a bit with a plummeting "cool" factor. I am hopeful for Into The Woods but you never know.

CELEBRITY DEATH POOLS ARE ACTUALLY KINDA SAD NOWThe world was pretty sad about losing Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Williams and Joan Rivers. It turns out it's only funny to hope old celebrities die. Predicting the passing of any other type of celebrity just crossed over into morbid morality territory. I can go dark but for a bit I'd like to stay light.

SOMETIMES I JUST WANT TO CLICK ON LINKS THAT SAY "OMG THE TOP 17.5 REALTY SIGNS FOR MANSIONS FLOATING IN THE WATER ON HALLOWEEN IN 1911" or "CAN YOU BELIEVE A JUDGE EVICTED A MOSQUITO WHO MADE A HOME IN A MAN'S EAR?!" --- cause I just really want to.

GHOSTPICS
I get snapchats now. Both literally and figuratively. Before I thought they were just for sexts but now I realize they serve a great purpose - not taking up space in my camera roll and text history. I love exchanging quick tidbits with friends without committing to keeping that pic of you with chopsticks as walrus teeth forever. Moments are fleeting, texts are fleeting. Technology is taking something permanent and adding lifelike impermanence and I love it.

CAN WE SEPARATE THE ART FROM THE ARTIST? (OR the SPORTS FROM THE SPORTSMAN?) 

Not anymore. Over the past year we've seen Adrian Petersen, Ray Rice, Bill Cosby, Shia LaBeof and many more people come into the public eye negatively and I can tell that public opinion is becoming less forgiving. Personally, I never want to see Mel Gibson come back.  But sometimes I will listen to Chris Brown. It's an ongoing discussion but I think we're trending with a conscience.

SHOUT OUT TO TSA PRECHECK! YOU CHANGED MY LIFE. Ew. Remember when you had to take off your shoes and stand in line and take out your laptop at airport security? I don't. It's a distant memory thanks to $75 and an hour at a creepy ass office in the middle of nowhere. We're getting fast passes in life and I'm one of those people who will take it.

HERO-ESSES
In 2013, our female leaders were super serious about Leaning In and stopping working from home and being strong men-like women. In 2014, it got more relatable thanks to amazing books by Amy Poehler and Lena Dunham. They aren't for everyone but they do chip away at the idea you have to be perfect as a woman to succeed. I'd rather be flawed and successful than pretending to be someone I am not. 

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And here are some small observations/thoughtstarters: 

KRISTEN WIIG and BILL HADER should have a TV show together of them just riffing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtH2bTvCFO4

MAKING MOVIES OUT OF BOOKS is like immunity on Top Chef. No need to try very hard and be revolutionary cause you're gonna make money anyway. Though, when they are good you're like "wow, you tried hard and you didn't even have to!"

WAITING IN LINES FOR FOOD IS SO OVER. Make a reso like an adult or don't go. You will survive if you don't eat a ramen burger. 25m or less is respectable.

DID YOU KNOW 11 LIKES ON INSTAGRAM is the magic number to stop showing names? Not a comment, it's more of a fact.

GAS PRICES BEING LOW is such a better story than them being high.

PEOPLE CARE ABOUT FONTS NOW so don't make your logo or business sign in PAPYRUS because people are watching.

RESTING HAPPY FACE is the new creepy resting bitch face.

I"M SICK OF PEOPLE SAYING LITTLE MERMAID IS BETTER THAN FROZEN. and then judging girls who are super into Elsa and Anna. Let kids have something!

I'M NEUTRAL ON SHOE SELFIES. Anyone have a good argument against them? Is this what they mean by net neutrality?

The End.