2020

Context: I wrote 99% of this on an evening flight to Philadelphia in my notes app on my iPhone.

This isn’t exactly a recap of the year but more so just a couple streams of thought that came about in 2020 as well as hopes for 2021.

Disclaimer: (Like other things I’ve shared on my Medium page, some of what you read may not be complete sentences so don’t kill me for it. The point of this Medium page for me is to just continue to write, not get into Harvard. Enjoy.)

First and foremost, congrats to Lebron on winning his 4th ring and to AD for winning his first. I’m rooting for yawl in 2021.

• Brody committed to Sacred Heart and when I received that news, I was happy as hell. That kid can flat out ball and more importantly is a great person and hard worker. Keep going little bro. I’m proud of you.
• I met two internet friends this year and both of them were, and are, hella cool. With that being said, shout out to Chad and Ash. I hope yall both have a blessed 2021.
• As I enter 2021, I don’t know if I want to get the new XBOX or PS5.
• I’m so happy to see my brother Kaiwan doing well and helping these young student athletes grow as people.
• My little nephew is in that stage of his life (13–15 yrs. old) where he thinks his parents are out to get him about everything, when in reality, they’re just trying to prep him for life. I call this stage of life “the asshole stage” …. Because it’s when they think they can talk back. He’ll be alright though, I got faith in the kid.
• Learned a lot about myself this year.
• Had a lot of “first” this year.
• Failed A LOT this year but also got a big WIN about a week ago that I’m super proud of.
• I’ve gotten to that point where I only want to shoot film. Digital just didn’t do it for me in 2020. I’m thinking about some Medium format in 2021.
• Linus and Vuhlandes are really the young GOAT’s when it comes to this film stuff. I just wanted to acknowledge them and give them their flowers while they’re here.
• And since I’m talking photography, nothing has changed. Sean Dougherty is still my favorite photographer in the world regardless of genre.
• “Dad Strides” was my favorite podcast of 2020. Shoutout to Niles and Caleb.
• Church got married in 2020 and it was just an honor to see it happen in person.
• Earl Sweatshirt still has the best flow regardless if he’s retired from rapping or not. He pulled a Barry Sanders on us and left the game while in his prime, which kind of hurt, but I understand.
• Please keep posting music on your Instagram stories because I do screenshot those and give them a listen.
• This would be lovely, and this is wishful thinking but an 070 Shake and Francis and the Lights collab would be amazing in 2021.
• “Soul” was the best movie in 2020
• I get why Vinny lives the way he does. It makes more and more sense to me every day.
• Winslow HS’s Football team balled out this year and it was beautiful thing to witness. No, I didn’t go there but that’s where I’m from so I’ll always have love for them.
• I was supposed to go to Europe for the first time this year, but it didn’t happen due to Covid. Was also supposed to get my first tattoo this year but that also got canceled.
• Los Angeles grew on me a little bit this year.
• Connor and I hit up Tony’s in San Francisco for that sweet grandma pizza and it was legendary.
• Moved to Atlanta, then low key almost moved to LA to live on a boat.
• Got to meet Coach Butterworth’s kids for the first time ever and it was such a memorable moment.
• Stepped away from coaching college football after 3 years of it.
• “Fully” realized I have such a great support system
• Had some open and honest conversations with some of my best friends this year.
• Still ain’t where I want to be, yet. (in life)
• Joined a new gym in ATL that I love. The people there have been nothing but a blessing to me since day one.
• Brought Peyton to Bankhead and had him in Blue Flame eating Lemon Pepper wings and Mac & Cheese. (He had class the next day)
• Allen Robinson needs to be higher on a lot of yall list and I’m just going to leave it at that.
• If yall don’t buy some of these paintings from Gentry in 2021, I’m grabbing at least 3 of them. (Just an FYI to you MF’s)
• Hakeem calls me once a week to get me on TikTok…… by the time this drops he’ll probably be at 250k followers.
• I had the opportunity to teach two virtual classes on Mobile photography this year which was super dope.
• Did the most cooking I’ve ever done in my life this year
• Selfishly, I want Frank to drop a new album, but I understand if he never releases another album again. (RIP to your brother)
• Bayern Munich won the Champions League and Robert Lewandowski is a GOAT and yall need to start acting like it.
• I’m starting a new podcast in 2021, so look out for that.
• I’m not proud of it but I never got a W on Warzone all year….. literally not even 1.
• My little nephew who’s 8 beat me in 2K and I was actually trying.
• I want to completely get off of social media but to be honest I don’t even know how that would work/feel.
• “Normal People” was the best show of 2020 and it wasn’t even close.
• “Schitts Creek” was very good, and I’ll leave it at that.
• Pop Smoke really had us all Irish step dancing (RIP Pop Smoke)
• I don’t even want them to make a sequel to Black Panther if Chadwick isn’t in it.
• Kess was really trading during the day and caching bodies at night on COD.
• It’s not my favorite song, but I truly believe “Live” by Casanova is my life anthem.
• K.Dot came to Jersey and we finally went flying. Pop pop had him in full control of the plane and all that.
• At home workouts were cool for a little bit.
• If it wasn’t for Andrew, I would have gone crazy this year.
• I’m still wearing all black damn near every day.
• Built my first friendship with a millionaire that didn’t become wealthy from playing sports professionally or a life insurance policy.
• Brent Faiyaz is on a track with Kanye West and I’m just not sure how I feel about that. (I’m proud of him though)
• I’m happy that so many people went out and voted.
• Realized how little I need in my life to be happy.
• French Fries were by far my favorite food of 2020.
• Jess showed me how to have a proper skin routine.
• Even though when I buy a house, I’m putting in turf, I did find enjoyment in landscaping this year
• EarPods are high key overrated
• Got a chance to see Phil before he was shipped off to Japan
• It was great to see Casey Neistat making Youtube videos again on a consistent basis.
• Anything really isn’t possible but a whole lot of stuff is possible. Let’s start saying that instead because I can prove that not everything is possible.
• APTHEANGEL is better than most of these photographers out here but yall don’t want to have that conversation though.
• Jada Byers is really at Sacred Heart University and I don’t think yall realize how happy I was when that became official. I made a promise to him as a freshman in HS that he’d have an offer from SHU if he didn’t have any from anyone else and we got that shit done!!! (mind you, this was while I wasn’t coaching there) Keep going kid! You are the best to ever do it at St. Joseph and that’s a fact!
• I still have an iPhone 8
• Check out my website Gordnhill.co
• Drink More Water
• If Christian McCaffrey didn’t get injured this year, I would have won my fantasy football league, but whatever, that’s life. (Get healthy fam.)
• Went skeet shooting for the first time and come to find out I’m kind of nice with it.
• Reconnected with Graz and it’s been such a blessing.
• I hope Corbin is still alive and still enjoys making music because he’s one of the best to ever do it.
• The pilot just said we’re entering our final descent into Philly.
• Sasso, I’m working on that treatment. I’m going to get that to you.
• Voice texting has been my thing this year.
• KEEP GOING!!!
• My Christmas list was done and sent to those whom it concerned on Nov. 1st
• Reminder to myself: Get faster internet so you can play FIFA online again.
• I still don’t have a case on my phone and I never will.
• Ran my first half marathon this year and that was kind of crazy.
• My twitter drafts are so elite but I’m nervous to send them out into the world.
• Went to Chattanooga for the first time and went hiking which was different but very enjoyable.
• I’m still wearing my fly knit racers like they came out yesterday.
• I still order the same thing I’ve been ordering from Cheesecake Factory since 2015.
• Ben & Jerry’s Strawberry Cheesecake is still my favorite ice cream flavor.
• Courtland and I went hiking in Malibu and it was easily one of my highlights of the year.
• I’m happy AF with the content my group chats with the homies have been providing. More importantly, I’m happy we’re still in communications after all these years.
• I want to give more in 2021…. Scratch that, I will give more in 2021.
• I’m not going to lie, 2020 was a hard year for me. Probably the hardest of my life to be honest.
• While I’m here I’m just going to plug the book that changed my perspective on life: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle (it’s my favorite book I’ve ever read)
• I hope Drake’s new album is fire. I mean they’re all solid, but I mean like “Take Care” type of fire.
• We’re about to land soon.
• At 27, I finally started feeling comfortable enough to verbalize to people that I love, how I feel about them.
• Just be a good person, we’re all just trying to figure it out.
• Call/Facetime your grandparents if you can’t see them in person.
• Wash your hands.
• The Grammys are still trash.
• I noticed I have a lot of old head tendencies.
• Parker, I’m so glad to have met you this year. Hearing your story about how you changed your life left such an impact on me. Keep Going!
• Although I’m used to having a mask on, I hate the fact that I can’t see people’s smile.
• Hyperloop looks like it’s going to actually be a thing in my lifetime and that makes me so happy (google hyperloop if you don’t know what I’m talking about)
• A lot of my closest friends shared a lot of deep shit with me this year and to be honest, I’m just happy you guys felt comfortable telling me. I love you all.
• Went to the Venice Canals with Tom at midnight and just kicked it. He went to Cabo the next morning.
• Saw a rattlesnake while hiking.
• Rekindled my love for apple cinnamon rice cakes.
• It’s 2020 and Instagram still hasn’t given us all the swipe up feature.
• OK…… we’re about to land. I hope you guys made it this far. I wish you all nothing but success and happiness in 2021.

Peace and Blessings,

G.