10 Random "I Loves" of 2009

1. Sons of Anarchy--nothing warms my heart like a rough-neck bunch of morally ambiguous hooligans that will shed blood, life, limb, and serve prison sentences for the ones they love. Season 2 truly showcased how fantastic Katey Sagal is as a dramatic, as well as comedic, actress.

2. The Adderall Diaries--Stephen Elliott managed to juxtapose a murder trial with his own coming to terms with life story...quite seamlessly. I've now read this book three times and still manage to find nuances I glossed over or didn't quite catch in the previous readings. It's an emotional ride and a thinking person's book.

3. FMHS 1989 20th Class Reunion--It was great to reconnect with some folks and get to know others I didn't know all that well back in the day. It also gave me a glimpse into how far I've come since high school and how much stronger I am now. I realized that I don't pander to the status quo, I don't care really care what others think of me, I don't have to put on a show to make myself seem better than I really am due to my insecurities, and I don't have to act like a total ho-bag just to garner attention also because of the aforementioned insecurities. Oh and I realized one other thing--the people who were well and truly assholes in high school are still well and truly assholes in adulthood.

4. Ha Ha Tonka--every damn thing about them! Multiple live shows, new CD, their rising 'fame' in a tough industry. I'm glad to say I was at their very first CD release party and will always be one of their biggest fans (not in the Eminem song kind of way, though)

5. My job--a majority of the time. Actually maybe I should say I love my members. I've had so much fun getting to know them via working with them--it's just nice to know that 'real' people are out there and doing what they do because they truly love doing it.

6. My solitude--yeah, that seems weird, but I really, really needed it. As much as I didn't want to admit it or let it show to the population at large, I was in a VERY bad place through most of 2009 and I don't think I would've emerged from it alive (literally) if I wouldn't have taken a very big step back from a lot of different things in my life. Most people think/believe/say that the support is what gets people through tough times, but in all honesty, I didn't find much support because I didn't know how to tell people what was going on. It wasn't a pinpoint element or two, it was an all-encompassing issue and to continue being honest, most people didn't want to contend with it when I did bring it up.

7. Facebook--I've had a wonderful time yucking it up, learning about, and learning from people that I didn't know well.  It's interesting to learn about their lives, their experiences, and to be there and say way to go, i'm sorry, i empathize, etc. when even 5 years ago i wouldn't have been able to because the resource wasn't there.

8. My mom & dad--for a bazillion reasons, but mostly because they are one of the few couples in this country that has made it to their 50th anniversary. Fifty years is a very long time...I don't know that I could do it.

9. My kittehs--they're high entertainment at times and comfort at other times. Sure they love me because I give them a warm home, food, water, and clean litter, but I can accept that.

10. A lot of good books--I read a load of books in 2009. I read some bad ones too, but those just make the good ones that much better. One of the best ones was "Going Bovine" by Libba Bray...I highly recommend checking it out if you want a good laugh.