2009
One year ago today I was in the middle of moving into a new apartment, leaving the beloved 2F behind after 3 awesome (and sometimes not so awesome) years of occupation. I was excited for a fresh start but at the same time feeling very anxious about how it would turn out. There was also quite a bit of lament for not making the move to Atlanta, as I had originally planned. I thought, "I'm only signing an 8 month lease, it'll give me time to figure some things out, spend more time with my family, save some money, and get PUMPED." If someone had told me that one year later I would be where I am now I would have told you to fuck off. It hasn't turned out awful but it definitely hasn't ended according to plan. Such is life!
It's been quite a year for changes:
- I lost my job at what was probably the most fun I've ever had at a job with the greatest group of girls (and guys!) that one could hope for. Despite Coyote Ugly being closed for a year in two days, we are still very close. They aren't just previous co-workers, they're like family!
- I found that a few [more] people I had been calling friends for quite some time really weren't. It was very difficult for me to cut the ties because I cared so much about them, but why keep people around that in the end only hurt you and/or themselves?
- In addition to cutting ties, several have been repaired and for the better. Maybe even best. :)
- I made plenty of new friends that I intend on keeping around. They're good shits.
- I finally have a firm grasp on what I want in life and in the relationships that I have. Although those things tend to change without warning, right now it feels pretty fucking amazing.
- I have now dedicated my left ankle to stupid Friday the 13th tattoos and I can't wait for the next Friday The 13th!
- I can't wait for May 16th either!
- I took a last minute road trip with a great friend across the US to California where I had the chance to see my dying uncle for the first time in years. On that trip I saw the most beautiful sunset I've ever laid eyes on in New Mexico. Days after my return to Chicago my uncle died and although it was awful, I was incredibly grateful that I had that chance to say goodbye.
- A 3 year relationship ended abruptly, leaving me in a lot of debt, pissed off, and hurt. But, after dusting off my britches, I'm standing on pretty solid ground.
- I took a second trip to California and had the opportunity to experience things that only wannabe rockstars have wet dreams about. Un.Real.
- These little trips to the west made me realize that I've been making excuses and wasting time. It also made me realize I haven't seen as much of the country as I'd like to. 2010 will be the year of travel and trying new things!
- Once my lease ended at 2W, I had to move back in with my parents after being on my own for so long. This was a huge pride issue for me because I worked SO hard for everything I had for myself in Chicago. But you know what? Even though it tends to get pretty lonely here in Joliet, I don't hate my life as much as I thought I would. Ok, maybe a little bit.
- I had to give up my Talula kitten when I moved back home and I miss her chubby belly sooo much :( Maceo? Not so much. He's loving all of the extra undivided attention now that she isn't around.
- I left my job at Syntec. FINALLY. After hundreds of promises made (like raises, more hours, benefits, etc) and not kept and an inappropriate grab or two, I left. I almost made that place my career.
- My health took a turn for the worse and just when I thought that I was totally fucked, could not get that surgery, was going to be toast, Northwestern Memorial Hospital's awesome board of directors had a change of heart due to some kind persuasion from my oncologist and I received even more of some of the best health care for free.
- I recently started a new job at a bar in downtown Plainfield called Moe Joe's. Although it's slow to start, I think this will be a good place for me to work while I'm setting my sites on my goals. The staff seems to be close knit, which is just what the doctor ordered.
Hasn't this year flown the fuck by? I feel like I blinked and 365 days passed me. I need to start l-i-v-i-n. I know now that having expectations often leads to disappointment, But! 2010 better deliver on at least a few things...
Thank Judas Priest that 2009 is over though. I seriously feel like that is becoming a redundant statement with each passing year. I don't feel as though I have been truly happy in 5 years. I'm focusing on turning that around for myself.
In other news, I love my friends! They've all made an impressionable mark on my life for the better and I am glad that they're a part of who I am and how far I've come. I hope that I have done even a little bit for them to match what they've done for me.
Enough with the sappy shit, it's 2010...let's do this shit!
It's been quite a year for changes:
- I lost my job at what was probably the most fun I've ever had at a job with the greatest group of girls (and guys!) that one could hope for. Despite Coyote Ugly being closed for a year in two days, we are still very close. They aren't just previous co-workers, they're like family!
- I found that a few [more] people I had been calling friends for quite some time really weren't. It was very difficult for me to cut the ties because I cared so much about them, but why keep people around that in the end only hurt you and/or themselves?
- In addition to cutting ties, several have been repaired and for the better. Maybe even best. :)
- I made plenty of new friends that I intend on keeping around. They're good shits.
- I finally have a firm grasp on what I want in life and in the relationships that I have. Although those things tend to change without warning, right now it feels pretty fucking amazing.
- I have now dedicated my left ankle to stupid Friday the 13th tattoos and I can't wait for the next Friday The 13th!
- I can't wait for May 16th either!
- I took a last minute road trip with a great friend across the US to California where I had the chance to see my dying uncle for the first time in years. On that trip I saw the most beautiful sunset I've ever laid eyes on in New Mexico. Days after my return to Chicago my uncle died and although it was awful, I was incredibly grateful that I had that chance to say goodbye.
- A 3 year relationship ended abruptly, leaving me in a lot of debt, pissed off, and hurt. But, after dusting off my britches, I'm standing on pretty solid ground.
- I took a second trip to California and had the opportunity to experience things that only wannabe rockstars have wet dreams about. Un.Real.
- These little trips to the west made me realize that I've been making excuses and wasting time. It also made me realize I haven't seen as much of the country as I'd like to. 2010 will be the year of travel and trying new things!
- Once my lease ended at 2W, I had to move back in with my parents after being on my own for so long. This was a huge pride issue for me because I worked SO hard for everything I had for myself in Chicago. But you know what? Even though it tends to get pretty lonely here in Joliet, I don't hate my life as much as I thought I would. Ok, maybe a little bit.
- I had to give up my Talula kitten when I moved back home and I miss her chubby belly sooo much :( Maceo? Not so much. He's loving all of the extra undivided attention now that she isn't around.
- I left my job at Syntec. FINALLY. After hundreds of promises made (like raises, more hours, benefits, etc) and not kept and an inappropriate grab or two, I left. I almost made that place my career.
- My health took a turn for the worse and just when I thought that I was totally fucked, could not get that surgery, was going to be toast, Northwestern Memorial Hospital's awesome board of directors had a change of heart due to some kind persuasion from my oncologist and I received even more of some of the best health care for free.
- I recently started a new job at a bar in downtown Plainfield called Moe Joe's. Although it's slow to start, I think this will be a good place for me to work while I'm setting my sites on my goals. The staff seems to be close knit, which is just what the doctor ordered.
Hasn't this year flown the fuck by? I feel like I blinked and 365 days passed me. I need to start l-i-v-i-n. I know now that having expectations often leads to disappointment, But! 2010 better deliver on at least a few things...
Thank Judas Priest that 2009 is over though. I seriously feel like that is becoming a redundant statement with each passing year. I don't feel as though I have been truly happy in 5 years. I'm focusing on turning that around for myself.
In other news, I love my friends! They've all made an impressionable mark on my life for the better and I am glad that they're a part of who I am and how far I've come. I hope that I have done even a little bit for them to match what they've done for me.
Enough with the sappy shit, it's 2010...let's do this shit!