Comment on Discussion Thread š¼ Monday 22 December 2025
LowExperience2368@aussie.zone āØ18ā© āØhoursā© ago
What are some of the best things youāve experienced this year?
1. Meeting so many new people in all the different settings Iāve been in, from uni to work to my meetup group! Joining the meetup group has been one of the best things Iāve done all year. I went into it feeling nervous but now Iāve kind of blossomed a bit, and aim to talk to everyone at each event when theyāre small. 2. Started listening to jazz music. I had dabbled in it, but I just didnāt get the fuss. Then some YouTube video I found talked about why people find jazz hard to listen to, and gave album recommendations. I was hooked after that. Also listened to a lot more classical, ambient and soundtrack music! 3. Watching way more movies. I thought I wasnāt a movie person, but then a couple of years ago, I watched quite a few. Then this year, I made a goal to watch a movie a week for eight weeks, and have now watched 56 movies this year. Movies are a wonderful way to switch off for a couple of hours and be immersed in a story. Disney Pixar movies were probably the ones I rated the highest overall. 4. Starting my uni course and going on placements. I have learnt so much from watching my classmates and experienced teachers teach. Iāve gotten great advice from mentors and have also realised I might be better doing something in small groups or one-on-one in the education setting. Iām still going to get this degree because I have ~10 months left, and then Iāll figure out what I want to do after. 5. Continuing playing music. I donāt practise nearly enough, but I love picking up an instrument for relaxation purposes.
Watching my daughter become a more confident independent young lady, getting more out there and experiencing life like young people should thanks to her getting her licence.
As a consequence husband and I having a lot more alone time.
We were a happy family before but now itās more different kinda happy.
There has been so much happen this year itās hard to believe it hasnāt been longer. Iām never any good at picking out a ābestā thing though, too many variables!
Iāve bought a new (to me) van to replace my aging car. Iāve moved to Ballarat, which was easier than I expected it to be (but still a lot of work!). Iāve done most of the hard work in establishing new gardens. My mother has moved into aged care and is doing well. Iāve finished my Diploma.
Probably the best thing to me is just seeing a lot of hard work making changes in my life over the last five or so years start to pay off. Iām still not drinking. My budgeting is working well and Iām seeing my savings continue to grow instead of my debt. My meal planning system is working well and I am mostly eating good healthy food. The decluttering and attention to good tidying/cleaning habits mean my house is generally tidy and welcoming instead of chaos.
Reconnecting with old friends and making new ones
Getting off suboxone and feeling life properly
The cats
Making music from genuine feeling again
Getting through some really difficult moments sober
Moved to the beach
staying with the young seagoons for 3 weeks in NZ ( i love them so much )
all the beaches in NZ/hobbiton
reading art books
watching tv and movies with mr seagoon ( luv him so much )
the UnKAOS continues
I have so many jazz recommendations for you
Yes please!
Some questions firstā¦
What have you tried that youāve liked? Is there an instrument or sound you particularly want highlighted?
For example, if youāve been enjoying jazz vocalists (Dinah Washington, I love you) then thatās quite different to sitting you down with the Miles Davis back catalog for maximum trumpet all the time. If youāre vibing with the classic Basie big band sound (1930s and early 40s) then I donāt want to send you looking 40 years later.
Whatās your vibe so far?
I think Iām more into jazz piano and guitar at the moment, more cool jazz. I am also partial to big band and vocal stuff. I love a good double bass too. Think Oscar Peterson Trio, the other famous jazz people, Art Blakeley etc
Have probably listened to vocal jazz the least but am open to recs!
Trip to Japan at the start of the year. Having a supportive workplace. Playing Exp33.
Bottom_racer@aussie.zone āØ18ā© āØhoursā© ago
Mineās simple.
Remaining sane (ish) lol.
Hopefully it lasts.