A year in review.
Another year has come to a close. Post COVID and aging has created an accelerated timeline, or so it seems, that 2024 was like a blur. These years all seem like a blur as I grow older. Kids have grown so rapidly of late that it becomes a struggle to remember all of the little details of their youth. This is life. This is my 2024.
January
Just like many Januarys before it, we returned from a trip to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina which seemed like the last time the entirety of the family will be together like that. Again, life. Michigan Football won the National Championship with the last time being 1998 for the 1997 season in the Rose Bowl. They beat Alabama in the Rose Bowl in the College Football Playoff, but then beat the Washington Huskies in Houston. Washington being the traditional foe of years past in the Rose Bowl, but not the way it works in this modern era of college football. #GoBlue
Interestingly enough I did a dry January. Even with Michigan playing for, and winning, the National Championship. It wasn’t all that difficult to complete. It wasn’t a resolution or challenge. I just did it (like Mike that Nike told us). I don’t drink as much as I used to, and not that I drank a lot before either, but just not something I do all that often anymore. Guess it goes with age.
January also saw us buyout the lease on Kate’s Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. She liked it so much and with the costs to lease a new one skyrocket in costs, buying out the lease made the most sense.
February
Besides there being an extra day this month because Leap Year not much happened in February other than we celebrated Shaker Height’s Rowing 25th Anniversary. Kate put together a masterful event at the Foundry. Pretty neat to see the original team that made this all happen and it allowed them to have a reunion as well. So glad my daughter has been a part of this team and history in Shaker Heights.
March
March, the spring break month. A few things occurred of not; early spring, went to a Cavs game with the Asian Studies class with the Japanese exchange students, and Detroit Red Wings game in Pittsburgh on St. Patrick’s Day against the Penguins. In typical fashion, the Red Wings lost.
April
April brings another year around the sun for me. 52 times this has occurred for me.
May
What an eventful month. Graduations galore. Kate earned her Master’s Degree and my son graduated from the 8th grade. He was recognized with the President’s Education Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement. Yes, signed by President Biden. I am so proud of him and how he has persevered through many challenges. Many tears were had at this event. He will be returning to public school in the fall of 2024 with his soon to be senior sister. First time in many years that they have been attending in the same school building.
June
June brought international travel for my daughter. She travelled to Japan for two week exchange program with her Asian Studies class. The same program that brought the Exchange Students from Japan was now hosting our students. I’m so happy we can afford for our kids to do these things. To see the world. She truly saw lots of Japan. The kids spent about a week outside of Osaka where the exchange school resides. She got to attend a Japanese baseball game with her host family. She travelled to Kobe with her host family as well. After a week the kids then travelled to Kyoto for a few days and experienced the original Imperial capitol city. They then took a day-trip on a bullet train to Hiroshima to experience the Peace Memorial. The trip ended with a bullet train ride to Tokyo where they spent their final nights exploring the large city. We got a little bit drama and worrisome situation because my daughter broke out in a rash and had blisters in her mouth. She got isolated from the group and visited an international clinic (at a train station) where the doctor just thought it was an allergic reaction to possibly a food. She was cleared to leave to come home. Fortunately.
Also, Cleveland witnessed the filming a new Superman movie. Cleveland is the birthplace of Superman and glad to see James Gunn recognize this by filming the first movie in his DC Universe of films.
July
July brought my wife and I’s 24th wedding anniversary. Holy Toledo! Also, my daughter attended a rowing camp in Pittsburgh through Duquesne University. We spent a few days there while I worked during the day. Pittsburgh is a lovely city and reminds me a lot of Portland, Oregon.
August
Kids went back to school. The daughter a senior and my son a high school freshman! I also, finally attended a University of Michigan football game with a buddy I worked with at Progressive many, many moons ago. #GoBlue
September
Can’t believe this. As I said before, time is flying by. My daughter turned 18 years old!
October
My daughter’s senior regatta kicked off full bore. In the final regatta she got to race a double where they just missed 3rd place in their first race. Looking forward to her varsity season in spring to see what these ladies can do. Oh and she is girls captain on the team. So proud of her. She will have rowed all 4 years of high school and earned being a captain.
November
Went into the month with plenty of optimism only to be disappointed, disgusted and appalled by people that stayed home from voting. I did get to vote with my daughter for her first national election and hoping we get to continue this going forward. My wife and I have always tried to instill the importance of voting in every election. It matters. Unfortunately, many in this country are comfortable with their selfishness and completely sat this one out. I will remain disgusted about this election.
Because of that outcome of the election it accelerated my plans for going EV. Since I started buying Honda they have always reached out for the “pull ahead” lease deals. Honda had finally rolled out their first mainstream EV product the Prologue. This EV is based on the GM Ultium platform, but with Honda’s design, software and ride tuning. It was concerning when they platform mate Chevy Blazer EV launched with numerous issues and stop sales, but Honda got through the mess and are now reaping the rewards with this EV. Not even a full year of sales and it outsold the Blazer EV. It was not on my radar at first, but the election changed my mind quickly.
Since I work remote 99% of the time an EV made the most sense for me. Since we bought out the lease on Kate’s RAV4 in January we didn’t need to worry about a long distance traveling vehicle. This opened the door for me to go EV as well. Honda launched some major incentives on the Prologue. Again, the Honda was not on my radar at all. Hyundai Ioniq5 or the soon to launch in 2025 Kia EV3. I was curious about the Volvo EX30, but then there was a question whether it would even be sold in the US. The traditional US automakers have kept pumping high-end high-cost EVs. Hyundai and Kia have been marching towards the affordable everyday EV hard. That’s why I had my mind set on the Ioniq5. It’s got that old 80s hatch look to it. Like a large Dodge Omni that I had in high school.
Hello Captain Kirk,
Captain of the USS Enterprise.
Again, the election changed everything. There were statement made be incoming President that EV tax credits are going away. My Honda lease was not maturing until May which would have likely been impossible for me to make an affordable jump to EV then if those credits went away. The Honda dealership I have been going to had several Prologues on the lot. Honda was advertising leases for the well equipped Touring trim for less than a CR-V. I decided to go drive one out of curiosity. I was blown away. No need to rehash the entire story. You can read all about my process and experience here. I love Captain Kirk.
Oh, and Michigan beat Ohio State the 4th straight year and back to back wins in Columbus!
December
We ended the year like we started it basically, in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Only this year our friends could not take Titan until a few days after Christmas. I stayed a few at home then to fly down to meet up with them. It was mostly cold and rainy there this year. One day was a beach day luckily.
That was 2024 and now here’s to 2025. Daughter graduating high school, attending college and a huge family trip in the United Kingdom.