It’s been 2018 for two weeks now. Two rather good weeks, I must say. Preceded by a rather good last week of 2017 as well. I have been catching up on things at home. I went to museums. Sleeping. A lot of sleeping. Getting rid of that racing heartbeat.
On January 31st, when I usually write this post, I was having such a calm day, reading and preparing for the traditional New Years party with my high school friends – so I ended up not writing a post. And the following week, well, there were more museums to visit, friends to see. The first week back at work was good, but intense, and here we are, two weeks into 2018, and I’m finally ready to give you my pop cultural list of 2017.
MUSIC
I didn’t listen much to music in 2017. It was a year of podcasts. But still, there were a couple that got me quite obsessed for a while. “Weathered” by Jack Garratt, which was on the soundtrack of the final season of Girls, spoke to me with its base like a beating heart and the beautiful lyrics. And it’s titled weathered. The amateur geology enthusiast in me cannot help but love that.
A couple of times this year, for example at the jam session at one of the Resilience 2017 conference parties, I sang “Emmylou” by First Aid Kit with My on accordion, Luigi on guitar and other colleagues on other assorted instruments. I have a conflicted relationship with singing, both loving it and needing it but also being very much aware of my limitations. “Emmylou”, however, seems to fit well with my voice, and when My and Luigi start singing harmonies in the chorus, I feel like it’s as close as I could come to a perfect moment.
But best this year has to be “Dian Fossey” by Säkert!. Few can beat Annika Norlin when it comes to lyrics, and this song tells such a beautiful story. Feminism and insecurities and about the boundless love for a child, with her trademark combination of life-and-death depth and humor. She has been my idol since I saw her live for the first time at a music festival in May 2006, and she never disappoints.
BOOKS
I read 34 books in 2017. Three more than in 2016, so, I’m improving. Nowhere near my top achievement, though: in 2010, I read 78. In 2011, 77. I’m not sure that’s anything to strive for, though. Those were the years when I worked in the reception in different companies most of the summer, bored out of my mind, with the e-books sneaked onto the reception computer the only thing that kept me sane. I would not want to go back there again, even if it meant more time to read books.
In the spring, as part of the feminist book club, I read “Fear of flying” by Erica Jong. A classic example of the 1970s sexual revolution literature. And I actually really enjoyed it. Its frankness and humor, but also, the main character’s conflictedness toward sex and love, intimacy and freedom. It felt honest, and I could relate to it.
But the deepest impression in me was left by “Den sårade divan” by Karin Johannisson. It is a non-fiction book about three Swedish female artists who lived and created during the first half of the 20th century – and who also spent significant periods of their lives in mental institutions. It is the history of the female creative genius, and how in a society and in a class that did not allow for erratic and norm-breaking behavior in women, it could sometimes be easier for them to resort to madness. It was an incredibly interesting book that somehow spoke to me. I read the last half of it while in Mexico, so when I manage to get around to writing about that trip, I’ll probably write some more about the “wounded diva” as well.
MOVIES
Just as last year, I don’t remember much. I have not really been to the movies. It gets deprioritized, among all the things that need to be done. But I saw La La Land. I liked that.
TV SERIES
Somehow, 2017 ended up being a year during which I mostly caught up on favorites from before. I saw the last seasons of Girls, True Blood, The Good Wife, Bones, Please Like Me. None had amazing endings, but that was OK. Closure is nice.
But I did find some new stuff too. Brooklyn Nine-Nine, a favorite of Natalia’s that I finally got around to checking out. Hilarious. And Atypical, a heartbreakingly sincere and funny Netflix show about a teenage boy with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum and his family. Lovely, with a great soundtrack.
PHOTOGRAPH
I think the fondest memories I’ll have with this picture: Natalia and me, playing monkeys by Loch Lomond in Luss, Scotland. Slightly out of focus, but what can you do, when the self-timer is all you’ve got to work with. A lovely memento of a wonderful trip to Glasgow: a weekend of indulgences, deep conversations and Parks & Recreation.
As for something more aesthetically pleasing, I think this photo of the curious cow in the wet meadow by the river Helgeå turned out really nice. This is part of my study area, and what my life will revolve around for the coming four years, so choosing it as the best of 2017 feels quite fitting.
KNITTING
I feel it’s appropriate I introduce a new category into my yearly summary: The favorite of the year’s knitted accomplishments by because Katja said so. This year, it has to be Vivi’s Norwegian style ram cardigan. It took me FOREVER to make, but I’m happy with the result.
Of the mittens, I think Liz’ Zanzibari-Irish sea-creatures turned out the best.
Yes. That was my pop cultural 2017.
Katja Malmborg 