Taking stock of an unexpected year

Since my last letter, I’ve been to a movie theatre and to a sold-out concert at State Farm Arena. It felt odd, a little scary, but also life-affirming. Or maybe I should say, life-getting-back-to-some-semblance-ofnormal-affirming.

I hadn’t been to the cinema or a concert in two years, thanks to COVID and cancer. I saw Daniel Craig’s final outing as James Bond, “No Time To Die,” and thoroughly enjoyed it, although I disagree with critics that it’s the best 007 movie ever. For me, that will always belong to “A View To A Kill” with Sir Roger Moore and Grace Jones camping and vamping to a Duran Duran soundtrack. I shall not be moved from this stance, so don’t @ me.

There were only a dozen people in the theater, so easy to social distance, but the Harry Styles concert was something else. I felt more at ease thanks to the COVID protocols, but it was still soooo weird to be back in a space with that many people. We had to show our vaccine cards and wear masks throughout, which the majority seemed to do. Styles’ transformation from boy band heartthrob to heir-apparent of the 1970s, California rock sound of Fleetwood Mac is a pleasantly surprising glow up.

In October, I took a weekend trip to Knoxville to visit a friend and it felt really good to get out of Atlanta for two days after spending this whole year barely leaving a square-mile area. I hadn’t been to Knoxville in nearly 40 years. My last trip there was in 1982 with my parents for the World’s Fair, which is very near the top of my worst family vacations ever list. Let’s just say that 100-degree temperatures and the theme of “energy turns the world” was a sweaty bore to 12-year-old me.

My cancer diagnosis, followed by surgery, radiation treatment, physical therapy and seemingly endless doctor appointments has pretty much ruled my year. I do not recommend buying a home in the middle of all that like I did.

I’m feeling much better, although I still have days where my energy level seems nonexistent. December also marks six months since my surgery, so that means MRIs and CT scans for Christmas. I’d just as soon have Santa leave a lump of coal in my stocking. But I’m keeping my fingers, toes, and legs crossed that I’ll get the “all clear” from my oncologist and not “oops, we missed a spot.”

The most uplifting part of this unexpected year has been the outpouring of support from the readers of Atlanta Intown. I received countless emails, social media messages, and phone calls from folks checking in on me while I was recovering. It truly has been a balm. Intown, which is about it enter its 28th year in existence, continues to evolve and grow thanks to our talented team and savvy partnerships, including Atlanta Civic Circle, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, GPB News, Georgia Health News and our latest with WABE.

We’ve joined forces with Atlanta’s home for NPR to launch “How Do You Atlanta?,” a community calendar offering easy access to city events. Check it out at HowDoYouAtlanta.com and submit your own happenings for inclusion. As Hugh Downs used to say, “we’re in touch, so you be in touch.”

Happy Holidays!