Given how awful 2020 was, it may seem kind of absurd to post a “best of” list. But it’s another way to stay hopeful.
Best Stamps
The Ruth Asawa stamps honor one of the country’s best artists.
Best Event
The defeat of President Trump. Hopefully, we can begin the peaceful revolution that will transform cruel capitalism into humane democratic socialism.
Best Art Show
Tough year, because I didn’t get to see enough. But we still got to visit some good shows.
In January, we got to see the Alexander Girard show at the Palm Springs Art Museum. I thought the curators made a journey out of something that had been episodic. I love him.
In February, we were in Paris and saw the spectacular Charlotte Perriand show at Fondation Louis Vuitton, which may qualify as the most dizzying building we have ever experienced. They sure know how to mount a show.
Towards the end of the year, my pal Donna and I were able to see the David Park retrospective at SFMOMA, which was uncrowded. Also read the fine biography by Nancy Boas.
Best Birthday Party
Yes, we were able to squeeze in Paul’s 60th just before everything locked down. My pal since the seventh grade, Cherie, and her husband David hosted us and our pals Forrest and Mari at their beautiful house overlooking Point Lobos. Hopefully, we can return in 2021!
Best Art Studio Tour
Heidi Schwegler’s incredible art retreat, called Yucca Valley Material Lab. You can read all about it here.
Yucca Valley Material Lab Interior
Best Novel
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart, which won the Booker Prize.
It was a great year for queer novels. I also suggest
Cleanness by Garth Greenwell
Memorial by Bryan Washington
Best Restaurant
It wasn’t exactly a year for dining out! But at Momed in Los Angeles’s Atwater Village neighborhood, with our pal Johnny, we did celebrate my birthday with outdoor socially distanced dinner that was just right.
Best New Hotel
Les Cactus is a fun little hotel in Palm Springs that doesn’t break the bank. Although it’s situated in the Warm Sands neighborhood’s gay motel strip, the target audience seems to be young tattooed straight couples. If only they knew what went on over the fence. Hell, they probably wouldn’t care at this point.
Best East Bay Walk
I hope this won’t mean it will get too crowded. Redwood Regional Park has many gorgeous walks within a few minutes of our home. I would suggest weekdays when it is less crowded. Currently, my pal Nancy and I like to start at the parking lot just before you turn into the Chabot Space and Science Center.
Best TV Entertainment
Schitt’s Creek. Co-creators Dan Levy and his father Eugene Levy did an amazing job creating a town without homophobia. At first, I wasn’t taken in by the story of a rich family on the rocks. But they created a hysterical and nuanced show about the power of love. And we got to see Noah Reid sing. No shirtless scenes, however.
Second best was the French TV show Call My Agent. Great characters. Might help my French!
Best Little French Town
In February, just before the shutdown, we went with our pals Trudi and Rebecca to visit Paul’s cousin in Alet-les-Bains in the Languedoc. We fell in love with the medieval fortified village where cousin James bought a ruin and restored it. We even put in an offer on a little house we only saw the outside of! (Didn’t get it.) If things return to normal, we might rent a house there in the fall. The guest list is filling up. Hope to see you somewhere in 2021!
