St. Louis Dad 2023 Wrap Up

Wow, we made it to the end of the year already! It seems like it was just a little bit ago when I was writing my 2022 wrap up. It has been a great year, much like last year, but I’ll start off by owning the fact that I did not hit many of the goals I set out for myself last year. At least I can always try again!

This year I continued the trend I started last year by documenting all of the movies I watched over the year. It was a lot. I also listened to a ton of music. There is just about no possible way to document every single thing I listened to, but I wrote a few of them down. Check out this impressive list for 2023!

New Music from Missouri Mobile Productions

This year I released four albums through Missouri Mobile Productions! It was definitely a good year for my production. I kicked off the summer with the Jason Beware Soundtrack, with a follow up release, Rotting Planets EP. A week later I made sure to release The Columbia Sessions, and finally, this December I dropped Soundworm, an album full of crazy experimental hip-hop production.

Spotify Wrapped

Another yearly statistical data drop from one of my favorite apps, Spotify! This year is really close to last years wrapped. Zach Bryan topped my list again this year but who can blame him. The guy has put out some amazing music the last few years. Here’s hoping for even more in 2024.

Instagram Top 9

Here again is my Instagram‘s top 9 from 2023. I think the data is interesting. These were certainly some of my favorite posts from the year, but not sure how Breaking Benjamin and David Bowie slid into the top 9 as well, but I’ll allow it. As usual, I feel like after seeing these types of lists that I need to post more. There is a period of time for several weeks where I don’t post anything. I need to get better at that.

My 2023 Favorites

Another year and another list of favorites. By all means not the end all be all list, but just a few notes for some of my favorites from 2023. A few things carried over from last years favorites list, like Zach Bryan and Panda Express Orange Chicken. That stuff is so good and addicting!

2024 and Beyond

I’m not gonna sugar coat it this year. I have no idea what this next year has in store for me. 2023 brought me into my forties and the next stage in my life. Of course I am getting introspective, what am I doing with my life, is this all worth it, when will I get my corvette? Not really that last part, but I am starting to understand why it’s important to not really care what other people think and just do your own thing. Obviously, respect goes a long way, but do I really care what people think about the music I produce, the photos I post, or the topics I write about? I did and still kind of do, but I am working on letting that go, that way I can just focus on being me, and nothing extra. That is my goal for 2024.

The St. Louis Dad Shop

The last thing I will mention before I leave y’all for the year is a quick announcement about the new St. Louis Dad Shop! I have always wanted to setup some sort of store to sell shirts and other simple items, I just never got around to setting it up. Well, I finally did and I am excited to see how it goes. Check it out and if you like something, grab it!

St. Louis Dad 2022 Wrap Up

For the last few years I have been creating end of the year “wrap up” posts with some lists of my favorite things from the year. This year will be no different as I definitely had an interesting year. It was a year filled with a lot of emotion and struggle, but also a lot of positive! Looking back it is amazing to see the struggle, but also see the Keep on reading to see some of the highlights from my year and what’s still to come!

One new thing I started this year was to document as much of the media I consumed over the course of the year. So I created a media log. The list is pretty extensive and shows that I watch A LOT of movies. So feel free to take a look at 2022’s Media Log.

New Music by Me!

This year I put some work into my online artist portfolio site MissouriMobileProductions.com. 2022 is MMP’s 20th anniversary and to celebrate I released two new experimental instrumental hip-hop albums. The first was Dr. Williams – JELLY-Fi released back on June 18th (my mom’s bday) and the second was released on November 11th (11/11) entitled Richie Williams – The Long Way to Mars EP.

I also put in a lot of work illustrating new projects for almost 70 new clients. This next year I hope to highlight all of the stories I have illustrated and also put out a few more of my own!

Jason Beware 3

Another major project that I spearheaded this year was the final installment of Jason Beware. We couldn’t leave with a cliffhanger, so I spent the first part of the year writing and then this summer we filmed the final film in the Jason Beware series. It was a lot of fun working with the kids again. I think we made ourselves a fun little series and I cannot wait to see what we come up with next.

We Bought a House!

It was emotional, it was painful, but we made it happen. We are also finally free from an emotional abusive landlord that we never want to hear or see ever again. Good riddance!

We Got a New Puppy!

This little horse (photo right) is a rescue from downtown St. Louis. Little guy was chained up in the backyard of an abandoned house. So we rescued him and now him and our other goofball are best buddies!

Tales from a 6th Grader

That’s right, we now have a 6th grader this year. It has been a little bit of a challenge learning new routines and practices but we’re getting by fairly well. She’s excited about Art Club, Images, and all of the fun things middle school offers!

My little 6th grader is really getting into music. She got her first record player for Christmas and watching her flip through vinyl is a new favorite past time. Here are her top 5 songs of 2022!

I Joined TikTok!

Around Halloween 2021 I joined TikTok as DadSTL. I made a couple videos, but over 2022 I posted even more. So if you’re there, give me a follow! I am a big fan of the stand-up comedy crowd work videos, so feel free to give me a follow and send me some funny stuff!

I was a little against TikTok at first, but I have warmed up to it and discovered that it can be a fun and unique way to create content. Just don’t get addicted to the scroll!

Spotify 2022 Wrapped

I don’t always listen to Spotify but I have been a bit more lately. I usually am listening to my own collection or Pandora. This year I have been diving more into some indie country and holy cow there is a lot of good stuff out there that I had not heard. Compared to last year my wrapped list is completely different. I do love how Spotify will share some of your stats in fun ways. Here are some of my highlights!

Spotify is a great way to discovery new music. I don’t think I would have ever found Morgan Wade without it. Also, Zach Bryan just released his Live from Red Rock album as a Christmas present to the world, and of course he titled it, All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster (Live from Red Rock). Perfect!

Zach Bryan also provided me one of the greatest Twitter moments I have ever had in my life. He quote tweeted one of my tweets and I had been on that Ninth Cloud ever since.

My Top 9 on Instagram

Instagram, I love you but I also hate you sometimes. I don’t understand your algorithm but I do like your layout and filters, so I still use you, but not as often as I probably should. Here are the top nine photos of 2022! Give me a follow and see what’s in store for 2023!

My 2022 Favorites

Here are some more of my favorite things from 2022, some of these were not released in 2022 but possibly my first viewing experience! There’s so much more I could have included, just because they weren’t does not mean that I didn’t enjoy whatever it was.

2023 and Beyond

2022 was a year of getting back to my old self. I was finally able to cut ties to a lot of emotional baggage and I feel more free than ever and 2023 will be even better! One goal I have for 2023 is to redesign StLouisDad.com. I really like the format I have going here but I think things could be reorganized a little better. This was also a goal last year, but I kind of got wrapped up in some other things. A redesign may still be at the bottom of my list, but I will attempt to get it done. I promise! I also am planning on producing more episodes of Dad v Son – The Chess Son as well as more content for TikTok and my other channels. I even have an amazing idea that I will be unleashing around this time in 2023. It will be very special and possibly one of the coolest things I will work on through-out the year. I would tell you more but than I don’t want to spoil the surprise!

Along with my secret project, I am also hoping to start writing my next short film. I have an idea and a general outline, but I need to write the screenplay and start planning the production. It will be my most ambitious project to date, so hopefully things fall right into place this coming year!

Another goal I have for the 2023 year is to hit my fitness goals. This coming year I hope to do at least (if not more) 100 miles of hiking, 300 miles of riding my bike, and 1000 miles of traveling. I may not hit these goals but it’s worth a shot to at least make them my goals. I only did around 20 miles of hiking total this past year, I got to pump those numbers up!

This next year is going to be something great. It’s my last year of my 30’s, and I am excited to this next chapter in my life. Each year seems to be going by faster and faster, so I am needing to savor this life I got going and help put some positivity into this world the best ways that I can.

See ya 2022, I’m ready for the year of Air Jordan, 23. Let’s do this!

St. Louis Dad 2021 Wrap Up

We made it through another year and let me tell ya, 2021 did not disappoint when it comes to fun and adventure. Let’s go over (in no particular order) some of my favorite moments, events, and other awesome happenings from 2021!

Jason Beware 2

The biggest highlight of the year was the production of Jason Beware 2. From writing the script to the premier party it was a memory that will be cherished forever. As I have said before, I am so proud of the kids and all of their hard work, as well as very thankful for Victor Miller for agreeing to participate as well. If you haven’t watched Jason Beware 2 yet, head on over to Facebook.com/JasonBewareMOVIE to like, subscribe, and watch the short film for free!

Korn Concert

Seeing Korn live in concert was something that had been on my bucket list for a long time. It finally happened and it was just as amazing as I imagined it. I definitely want to see them again, as well as get more bands off my bucket list!

Yellowstone

After falling in love with Hell on Wheels last year I needed a new show with that same grit. Well, Yellowstone has it and more. I am kind of surprised it took me this long to start watching it, but it is really good and I highly recommend it to anyone needing something to watch.

Antenna Install

Replacing our wireless antennas at work was a huge accomplishment that I am very proud of. We are now pushing some crazy bandwidth speeds across several miles and it was a great feeling to get done.

Don’t Forget Your Password

I really don’t promote myself too much, but this year I wrote and illustrated a book! Don’t Forget Your Password!: Tips and Tricks for Creating The Perfect Password was something that I had brewing in my head for a while and I finally got it done. So far, I only sold a handful of copies, but I did it! Instead of illustrating someone else’s story, I wrote and created my own! It is available in digital and print! Grab a copy today!

I also was able to speak to my daughter’s class last spring about illustrating books. It is kind of weird thinking of myself as an illustrator, but according to these kids, I am. So I’ll take the confidence boost, and hopefully they learned something from my talk!

The Lost Girl

Not only did I write and illustrate my own book, so did my daughter! She also outsold my book significantly! I am very proud of her hard work in making her own little story. She is so talented! If you don’t buy my book, at least buy hers. She is just a child!

Al’s Gaming Channel

Along with his regular YouTube channel, my son started his own gaming channel. We have a few videos up there but have plans to make even more!!! Right now we are working our way through Super Mario Brothers on the SNES. We will see where we go next but so far so good!

We also started a Dad vs Son chess channel. We record our matches and talk about whatever comes to mind. We have a few matches uploaded so far, and plan on continuing the fun well into 2022! Be sure to like and subscribe to both channels!

Dr. Williams’ albums

Over the years, I have released instrumentals in various degrees. This year I re-released several of my old instrumental albums and also released a new album with plenty of new beats all for free! Check them out at MissouriMobileProductions.com!

Olivia Rodrigo

She took the country by storm this year. Her album, Sour, is phenomenal and is influential in so many ways. Hearing my daughter talk about Olivia and her music is a testament to her talent. But geeze girl, your concert tickets are PRICEY, we love your music, but not at that price.

Scarefest

Another year of haunted houses in the books. This year was amazing with scare after scare!

2022 and Beyond

This coming up year I have plans to complete the Jason Beware trilogy, write another children’s book, put together a book of my mom’s poems and stories, plus much much more! So check out the rest of my 2021 favorites in the awesome graphic below!

My Last Post of 2016

ReynoldsFamilyPhoto-resized2016 is very close to leaving us behind. Which I can’t say is a bad thing. 2016 has been a wild ride for many through-out the world. There were a few moments in 2016 that I could have done without but then again, how might I have grown differently had those moments never happened?

I think about things like that a lot. The big what if. What if this, what if that. What if 2016 never had happened? Would 2017 be the year we lose Princess Leia and David Bowie? Doubtful since things really don’t work that way, but it’s still interesting to think about.

So what’s the point of this post? Well, to be honest, there really isn’t a point. A lot of my written stuff never tries to make a point, but if you’re looking for a reason behind this post, it’s more of a recap and what’s to come from this blog in the future.

CottlevilleParade-2016Over this past year I have been lucky enough to work with some fantastic brands. I have also gone to some great events and I could not be thankful enough to all that I have worked with this past year. My goal for 2017 is to keep creating entertaining content and to keep the St. Louis Dad website going strong for the foreseeable future. There are some things that I may have done differently but all in all I am excited for the upcoming year and finding out what’s next.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0484.Looking back I did do some pretty cool stuff this past year. I got to attend an awesome NCAA basketball game with my best friend (my wife), I went to Eckert’s a couple of times, reviewed toys and quite a few gadgets. Vacations and birthdays and much more all was scattered through-out 2016. I even released several instrumental downloads for free! My biggest disappointment for 2016 was that I did not create a 1 Second Everyday video like I did in 2014 & 2015. I started but then just stopped. I didn’t have the drive to create like I did last year and now that the year is coming to an end I kind of wish I did. Oh well, I still have plenty of memories to enjoy.

skate2017 may also see the end of a project that I have had going since 2009. That would be my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle database of information over at MutantOoze.org. I still haven’t figured out if the end is near or if I want to let it ride for another year but I need to figure out what I want to do with the site. It has been sitting stale for the last year and I’d hate to see it go away but who knows. Maybe I can figure out something to do with it soon enough.

My most ambitious adventure in 2017 will be me taking up skateboarding. I have skated in my younger years but I haven’t been on a board in probably 15 years. I picked one up off of Craigslist a few weeks ago and once the weather gets a little nicer I will be breaking ankles and busting my elbows in no time. It’s probably a horrible idea to start skateboarding at 33 but I don’t care, it should be fun.