December 2025 Round Up
As we head into the holidays I thought I’d take the time to round up not just December, but some of my cultural highlights of the year. I’ve already done books in another post, so this will just be ‘other’ stuff, such as films, tv and Music.
Spideog
I’ve been off work a couple of days now, and have been enjoying my early morning walks. Sure, the ground is saturated, sky grey and there’s a fair bit of drizzle and cold around, but I enjoy getting out. It’s bracing, and nature is still getting on with it.
None more so than the bird above, called in Irish the Spideog, known as the Robin. I love how, unlike many other birds, he sings the whole year round. (I’m calling it ‘him’ as the male is more common in winter, as he sings to defend his territory). It’s a sharp chirp sound, which is what the Irish word ‘spid’ means.
It’s a bird rooted in Irish folklore and myth. Very often, after a loved one has passed, you’ll hear a relative talking about how a robin visited just afterwards. They’re seen as a sign that the deceased is visiting, watching over you.
They’re pretty fearless little things, I presume because they’re constantly defending their territory. Definitely a bit of little bird syndrome going on sometimes, as they’ll let you get so close to them before they flutter off, chirruping away the whole time.
I admire them because of their endurance, that their song continues, even though it may be a bit more mournful in the winter. A symbol of resilience in the colder months, though it was winter solstice just a couple of days ago, so we’re already on the turn.
Television
Been trying to catch up on TV during the evenings, but is there that much to really catch up with? I have a new rule, where if I don’t find something to watch within 15 minutes, the TV goes off. It’s been working well, forcing me to choose something, but I’ve mostly been able to get a bit more reading done or listen to some music.
The show I have been enjoying on a weekly basis has been ‘Pluribus’. It’s the story of a mysterious event called ‘the joining’, when an alien virus transforms almost all of humaity into a peaceful, content hive mind.
Almost. All apart from Carol, and ten others, resistent to the virus. Some are happy with the change, whilst Carol, who is a fantasy writer, rages against the loss of individuality. She tries to offer resistance, but can she do it alone?
It’s visually stunning, often with sequences lasting minutes without a word spoke. ( I was particularly taken with the journey of one character piloting a plane). There’s a lovely symmertry to many of the scenes, and it’s got the fantastic Rhea Seehorn as Carol.
I love the slow pace to it, how it doesn’t spoon fed the viewer, and asks big questions in every episode - what it means to be human, when humanity has essentially changed - and how to cope with the loneliness and despair. It’s quiety unsettling, but it’s also intensely satisfying. Quite a few times I’ve found myself thinking about the concepts that the show explores, as well as wondering how I’d cope myself.
Definitely up with my favourite shows of they year. I mean, it’s hard to look past ‘Adolescence’ with Stephen Graham as the best of the year. Celebrity Traitors was a reminder that TV can still be a shared cultural experience. I also enjoyed ‘Alien Earth’ and good to see Alan Partridge back. Department Q was also a favourite. The rehersal from Nathan Fielder was unlike anything else I watched all year, not sure if I’ve still fully processed it.
Movies
Watched a couple recently. ‘The mastermind’ is the story of a small art heist in New York in the seventies. It’s not a conventional heist movie, more a character study. Honestly, I found it a bit meandering, but it has it’s quiet, reflective momments.
‘One battle after another’ I enjoyed a lot. It’s a visually stunning film, the pace never lets up, with a lot to say about modern america. Funny with it too.
Not released in 2025 but film of the year that I watched? Easy one for me this. ‘Perfect Days’ was the movie I ejoyed more than any other this year. Talked about it here already and it’s perfect, beautiful transcendence.
Comedy
Enjoyed going to see Dylan Moran this year, and have a couple more lined up in the new year. Handy to have a venue next door to you, and I’m going to make more of an effort in 2026. Promise.
I watched ‘Dissolve’ by Paul Foot only last week and all I’ll say so as not to spoil it, is that it’s the story of how something mommentous happened to him in 2022, which really resonated with me. One of the most moving and funny stand up shows I’ve watched in absolutely ages. Sublime, and you can watch it in full below as he has kindly shared it on youtube.
Music
Wonderful to see Dylan in the Waterfront in Belfast, still got it after all these years. I didn’t see much else in the way of shows this year, was a lot of vinyl listening going on.
Mostly jazz, which I’ve been exploring all year. Fond memories of listening to a jazz trio in a tiny bar in an Osaka underground station. And a rainy Tokyo afternoon in an upstairs cafe, where the bartender made coffee in between playing vinyl - more jazz of course. I know he was playing the Billy Taylor trio and the Larry Bunker quarter because I shazamed my way around Tokyo. They do love their jazz over there, and there were many musical highlights on that trip.
Difficult to know what to finish on muscially. Been a year of discovery and there’s too much to choose from. I’ll go with a current favourite.
I hope 2025 has been good to you. For those who visit and read my blog, I thank you deeply. May you be happy, may you be well, may you be free from suffering.