I am not sure I believe that your life suddenly changes when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. Time simply moves on. However, we can’t ignore the fact that something does change. The date. We suddenly have to mark our checks with a new year. We have to toss out the old calendar and bring in a new one. It may only be a date, but like anything else that changes … change brings opportunity. A chance to do it over again. A chance to fix what was broken. A chance to make the good, better. As we move into 2011 I wish you all the best in your resolutions. I wish you the best in 2011, but before we move forward let’s not forget the year we are leaving behind. Here’s to 2010 and all of the things it gave to me.
2010. A year of self discovery. A year of independence. A year of change. Like most years in my life it began with a wicked hangover. Like many years in Seattle it was followed by brunch at Linda’s with a side of veggie sausage. Unlike most years I made a commitment to myself (and to no one else). To learn. To grow. To love. To understand. To forgive. To care. To experience. To live. Here’s how I remember it …
I saw the Oregon Coast. I rode the ducks. I tore my meniscus. I toured the country – Washington, Oregon, California, New York, Michigan. I attended four music festivals, two weddings and spent nine weekends under the roof of my North Face Rock 32. I laughed. I went under the knife for knee surgery. I went charter fishing. I gained perspective. I read the Bell Jar for the first time. I traveled to Australia and New Zealand. I surfed. I went snowboarding. I experienced 30 days of sobriety. I cried. I allowed myself to cry. I didn’t drop a single phone in the toilet. I survived an epic class four midnight run. I was Janis. I loved. I ate raw oysters. I took art classes. I made new friends. I continued to strengthen my relationships with the old ones. I let the wind blow me. I only got bronchitis once (compared to three times in 2009). I went glass blowing. I drank a Manhattan in his honor. I stuck to my concert calendar. I kicked ass in high-low-red-black (no surprise here). I quit my job at Microsoft. I saw my Dad in a tux. I got my fourth tattoo. I souled. I nearly blew my face off with my camp stove. I walked barefoot. I grew. I made Angie a dirt sundae cake. I mourned those who were lost. I achieved normal bone density. I danced with a cowboy. I sang in the shower. I sampled four loco. I enjoyed another stay at the Cozy Castro Cottage. I got kicked out of the 5 Point (thanks Mooney). I traveled the Northwest with my family. I forgave. I drank wine out of a Rainier can. I drove up and down the coast (twice). I saw the Southern Cross. I got my ass kicked by my grandma on the dance floor. I swam. I avoided being “iced”. I learned to be content. I floated down a river. I pee’d in that river. I ate at Beth’s. I had a so-so year up and down the cribbage board. I watched a meteor storm. I started creating again. I experienced. I lived.
Thank you 2010.
Day 9,571. On to the next year.
Cherrettie
Forever Paisley 
Express yourself …