What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?

In 2010, I made xmas photo. In 2011, I made metaphorical thingsthat were intentionally symbolic of relationships and history. In 2012, I made ice cream. In 2013, I made design. In 2014, I made “my room”. In 2015, I made the last line of Ice Cream Travel Guide, literally. In 2016, I made my annual holiday video. In 2017, I made another annual holiday video. In 2018, I made scones (from the Tartine cookbook)! In 2019, I made another holiday video! In 2020, I made some minor things (a chapter and writing prompts), but of course the biggest thing was the annual holiday video! In 2021, it was of course annual holiday video, which was built on little videos that I had made throughout the year. In 2022, it was again the holiday video. In 2023, it was the the holiday video though it was a hard year. In 2024, it was the FAQ about my diagnosis and treatment, which I am still so proud about.

This year? Okay, yes, the holiday video. Though part of it was made for the annual Thanksgiving gathering. But over the past week, I was doing small edits to make it better. To reduce the nausea of the Ken Burns effect. To swap in more clear photos. To make sure that there was an even spread among friends and family.

And the thing that was great at the end was a last minute add by Chris. All because during our drive, I was browsing Instagram as I do and came across a screen of a breaking news report with a chron that said “SHOTS FIRED AT NAKATOMI PLAZA”. Chris suddenly said that we should do our holiday message ending there. Our previous ones were so so…at a mall holiday decoration. Not great. And not quite incorporated as our others where we were just standing in the hallway with our gear.

So the following morning we drove and did quick shoot, resulting in our usual happy holiday message. We did about six takes. Maybe with the millennial pause. And I pulled it together. Added a bit more polish and sent it within 3 hours.