Zoe ,'Heart Of Gold'
Every year we watch the Charlie Brown special, do the Snoopy dance, wish everybody a Merry Christmukkah, and thank our Secret Santas in the good riddance thread. Which is this one, in case you were wondering. Oh, and 2008? Don't think we've forgotten about you.
I feel like I made no progress this year. I keep doing the same thing.
And outside of me: things sucked. Violence hit my workplace and people I work with. We're all still dealing with it.
So I guess that was the major change. Like my personal life is in a cocoon but at work there has been this seachange where on a bigger level we've all had to pull together. (Although we are recovered enough that lots of petty officey things are really bugging again.)
I published a book in 2008, did readings in Nashville and twice in LA, wrote a column for Powell's Books, met a lot of wonderful and extremely cool people, watched my daughter grow from a tiny baby into a charming little toddling explorer, watched my son's imagination explode into a constant stream of narrative and construction, lost a beloved old dog, adopted a less-beloved dog (but she's growing on me), saw some freakin' awesome movies and tv shows, read some great books, perfected my pork chop brining recipe, lost 25 lbs, put a lot of work into my next major writing project, published a few freelance works, killed a lot of time with some of my favorite people to kill time with, and managed to find time to sleep a little bit here and there, too.
Far as I'm concerned, 2008 kicked 2007's ass up and down the block.
2008 has been an interesting year. The biggest thing has been a mixed blessing. After 11 years at the same job, having a great deal of difficulty making ends meet, constantly working and always tired, I finally left. I moved half way across the country from CA to TX. The new job pays a wage that is comfortable for the region I am living. I have paid off the student loans (finally) and am within a few paychecks of being debt free. I find I have time off of work now, which is great! Except all my bestest, nearest, dearest friends live back in CA, and I miss them something fierce. So, I feel very fortunate that I finally feel financially comfortable, but not so fortunate as I am a bit lonely. Time will cure the second. I just gotta get out of my shell and meet folks.
That said, 2008 has been rough on those I care about, so it can kiss my ass. I look forward to the hope that is 2009. To making new friends, and having time to spend with them. And to the New Hope that will descend on Washington on the 20 Jan 2009.
Sláinte! L'Chayim! Cheers!
abc.com says Charlie Brown special is showing 8pm eastern/7pm central tonight in case anybody is looking for it.
The new Muppet Christmas special is on tomorrow!
So I got home this evening, and there was an unexpected box from Amazon waiting for me.
Inside: A wrapped present!
Thank you, Austin! I had forgotten about that, and I just turned it on!
...And my Secret Santa is Barb! I got a Time-Life picture book, Strange but True: The World's Weirdest Wonders.
Thanks, Barb!
I got a wonderful box of soaps from my secret santa! THANKS! They smell fantastic. What a lovely gift particularly because it supports Serrv. Super fab. Thank you.
...And my Secret Santa is Barb! I got a Time-Life picture book, Strange but True: The World's Weirdest Wonders.
::looks sheepish::
Amazon wouldn't let me send anonymously, darn them. And I'm HORRIBLE about getting to post offices. I guess I sort of suck at the Secret part of the Santaing. Ah well, the intent was definitely there and lesson learned. Next time I get my lazy ass to the post office.