First, a belated Happy Thanksgiving.  I hope you had as much fun as we did.

But it's also another time of the year, one you've no doubt been eagerly anticipating.
 
Delusions of grandeur!  Fake awards for real things!  Yes, it's time for the nominees for the 2022 Portico Darwin Awards! 

Let's take a look at this year's categories and the nominees and begin to answer the question: 

Who will take home a coveted Portico this year?

· Ormond Beach
· Tupper Lake

· Italy:  Lake Garda & Dolomites
· Hoboken/NYC (December 8 - 25!)

Hotel?  What hotel?  I just have no idea what hotel to nominate.

My own 2021 Darwin Awards didn't even make the cut - that tells you how great the parties were that did. 

· Ol' Purple Label Birthday Picnic

· Clufffalo Numbers at Funston House

· Tupper Lake Wednesday Party

· Fleet Week Picnic

Not necessarily released in 2022, but here are my favorite discoveries of the year.

As with the albums, these were not necessarily published in 2022 (although most were).

Pro tip:  regardless of the eventual winner, make the German Chocolate Crisp Bars.  Like right now.

Yes!  I'm giving myself an award in my own blog for writing I published about me!

I will be deciding the winners in my typically capricious, wanton, and completely self-absorbed manner.  And the award ceremony itself?  It's all very hush-hush.

10 Seconds of Seriousness:  what another great year, and it's not even over.  I am nothing if not grateful for my wife, and for my rock star friends and family.

A huge shoutout to my indestructible first cousin Lally Darwin Heinz Esq.  Seemingly always on a glorious vacation somewhere, she did not let a fall (and broken neck!) while visiting family in Denver stop her.  Back on her feet and expected to make a full recovery, she and her dreamboat hubby Harrison went on to Santa Fe and took it all in.

Well, mostly:  Lally told me she steered clear of hot tubbing at Ten Thousand Waves - probably for the best, what with the neck brace and all.

Thank you to any one that is reading this newsletter.

Here, from Album of The Year nominee Stupid Dream, is the incredible Porcupine Tree and the extraordinarily apropos for today "Stranger by the Minute".  What a song!  What a year!  What a weirdo I am!