Before you ask, why didn't you post this at the end of the year?

Simply put, I've been spending the past few days of this break sitting on my ass, laying on my ass, or walking on my ass. (quite difficult) I have no real reason to think that the remaining 6 days are necessarily going to hold anything for me. So, like most things, I'm going to get this out of the way immediately and probably forget in the time it takes to click the "submit post" button.

So, it's Christmas!!!

I haven't really had a strong "relationship" with the holiday, because it's a little tacky in my eyes. Halloween has just been the cooler holiday, even if it's a bit childish in all reality. But I'm thankfully not one of those people who gets incredibly depressed around this time of year. I did lose a family member, but I've come to terms with it.

I do make sure to keep my family and friends close, but that applies on an average day. The actual main thing, being the gifts, are very hit-and-miss. I usually end up getting some pretty cool shit for the occasion, (for example, that's how I got the last 2 PlayStation consoles.) but a one-track mind and a dwindling wallet means I'm that one asshole that can only afford a pair of socks. Followed up by a look of sadness on my friend's face that could win them an Oscar. I'm also not a religious guy, so the actual "christ-" part doesn't mean much to me.

But, even so, I'll take this as an opportunity to generally recap the year, and my very important thoughts on it. I know you've been waiting, so pop on that itchy sweater vest and get comfortable.

So, 2024.

It was definitely a year that happened.

Trump's in office... That's enough said.

Luigi Mangione, AKA the (alleged) person who whacked out the United Healthcare CEO was made into a folk hero for people. Frankly, I think he's just as cool as %90 of the internet thinks. Was murder the best option? I don't think so, but I'm not against violence if peaceful protesting doesn't get results. People being able to live like gods, whilst profiting of the deaths of millions through shitty healthcare systems shouldn't be allowed. Bar none. Besides, America was practically built on murder anyways, so I see no reason to suddenly scapegoat Luigi just because he scraped that oh so precious boot.

"By any means necessary." -Malcolm X

Luigi has made himself one of the GOATs of this year, in only a month just by sheer media recognition alone. But, there's one person in particular this who absolutely popped out... and showed niggas.

2024 was a year that shined in music, and to me, no other artist made such a splash in music like Kendrick MothaFuckin 'DuckWorth' Lamar. Between absolutely destroying one of hip-hop's biggest industry plants with incredible track after incredible track, who I won't even name here, and releasing an album (GNX) completely chock-full of bangers completely out of nowhere, (the excitement I had that day was a pivotal moment in the year, lemme tell you.) this has been a legendary run for K-Dot.

To be completely honest, I haven't been a Kendrick "fan" before this year. I've obviously heard his music before, hearing some M.a.a.d city and DAMN. records being played at other's houses or outside, but I've never taken the time to listen to him just for myself. Not for any specific reason, but just because it never stuck out to me.

However, all the buzz surrounding the beef got me curious, and by the second I hear the beat drop on Euphoria, I was instantly hooked. Kendrick manages to succeed in every single aspect of his raps:

-Flows

-Beats (especially on TPAB, good lord)

-Lyrics (deep enough to mean something, but just enough to where a dumb nigga like me can still go "oh, wow!")

-whatever else

He's been constantly making high-quality albums since Section 80, and he's made three classic albums so far. Those being M.a.a.d City, Mr. Morale, and TO PIMP A BUTTERFLY, which is one of the greatest albums, period. Even if you aren't into hip-hop, I implore that you give it at least one listen. You won't regret it.

Am I glazing right now? Y'know what... probably. But, some people manage to get to that status from talent and talent alone. He deserves it all.

Tyler, the Creator also had a great album this year (CHROMOKOPIA) and he's an artist that I definitely need to check out more of.

Other than that, not much really happened.

The memes sucked this year. But, not as much as they usually do.

And, I still laughed at a lot of them. so, that probably says something about me.

To be completely honest, it was probably one of the most bare years of my life. Aside from the aforementioned loss, I've basically been doing what I've always been doing. Working as a cashier making decent money, and making debatable choices in what kind of food I consider healthy. (you say "salad," I say "chicken breast tenders") Not to complain about it, because I'm honestly quite happy where I am right now. That is mostly due to my circle of friends, and yes, even the internet.

But, this year still holds a special place in my heart, because of my own personal skills. I've grown as an artist, learned proper posing, shading, expressions, the works. I won't go to say that I'm a great artist, but I've managed to actually make work that I'm proud of. Let me tell you, that means something. Being your own worst critic is a saying for a damn good reason LMAO.

(this one's my personal favorite.)

I accidentally locked myself out of my newgrounds account, through a very dumb misclick. It's not actually the first time I've done this on the internet, so consider this somewhat of a trend. I'll have my new account ready and roaring by tomorrow, so have no fear. With this new account, I've completely homed in on my developing style, and completely changed it as a result.

If you don't believe me, just check the earliest drawings on @BastardFromBrooklyn to see how far I've actually come. Be warned, you should probably do so with a vomit bag in hand.

I was part of a few great collabs:

And, I even hosted my own!

Newgrounds has remained as the best community on the internet, and I couldn't be happier to develop in my art journey with all of you. Yes, even the random stranger who's still reading this for some reason.

I'm not going to @ everyone that I want to, because that would do little more than to pester, but I'll shout out my man @Malti for best the best bro around.

So, that's basically everything I wanted to say.

While I get myself drunk off of eggnog and pass out, here's what I consider to be the best movies of the year, or at least my favorite anyways. There was some stiff competition.

Anyways, this is BastardFromBrooklyn, signing out.

See y'all later! *fades out*