One of the best things to happen in 2012 was to be a part of Tim and Sierra's wedding. I flew to NYC in April, hung out with relatives, explored NYC on foot, and officiated at one of the nicest weddings I have ever attended. I was not surprised to have loved the time in NYC but I was surprised at how much fun it was to officiate at this wedding. Tim and Sierra have such a warm group of family and friends and I was delighted to be a part of that. I still don't get how they came to ask me to be the officiant but I am glad they did.
My trip to Santa Monica with my brother Matthew in July was also an unexpected highlight. I had such a good time spending the days with him and we were ideally matched as far as activity vs solitude. He is such a thoughtful and reflective man and we had the best conversations, wonderful meals, and played together at being curious explorers. There was also one especially memorable afternoon of being pure unadulterated kids again at the beach. Never to be forgotten.I was surprised at how enjoyable I found April's A to Z Writing Challenge to be. I mean, really? It's just writing a blog piece for every day for 26 days (all of April with Sundays excepted). The fun was in coming up with the topics and then meeting new blog writers as a result. I just didn't expect it to be so pleasurable. I wrote some ahead of time and have already started thinking about topics for the 2013 Challenge.
I admit to being so surprised at some of the artwork I created in 2012. Sometimes I nail it - whatever IT is - when I am painting. Painting is so mysterious to me. What the hell? Why such deep satisfaction from playing with paints, colors, textures, all signifying nothing but the random play of an adult momentarily transformed into a kid again? I don't know but painting surprises me.
On a very personal note, I am surprised that I stopped consuming alcohol (on September 11, the day after my birthday). I might start again some time but it has been a valuable experiment to give it up entirely. I miss it. Sometimes I miss it a lot. I miss the relaxation, the surrender to what is in my head. I miss the disengagement that happens when I consume alcohol. I miss not being in that sweet place of not caring about anything. On a similar note, I am shocked that I stopped taking the antidepressant that I have taken for over 8 years. I NEVER would have predicted that I would stop. In fact, I used to worry that some doctor some time would stop writing the prescription and that I would be in bad shape. I stopped in late August because I was curious, curious about what would happen. I thought maybe nothing would happen, that I wouldn't even notice its absence. Was I wrong about that! Holy s**t! It was a tough, tough transition and took a good three months for the withdrawal symptoms to fully subside. Now the surprise will be what happens next in the alcohol/medication department. BTW, I also ceased using weed though that was relatively easy and its absence is not so notable.
So, Mr Blue, what do you think? If I can go back and be surprised at some of the events of 2012, perhaps I can muster up some curiosity about 2013?
So, Mr Blue, what do you think? If I can go back and be surprised at some of the events of 2012, perhaps I can muster up some curiosity about 2013?
Mr. Blue's got me in his clutches too. Perhaps I ought to wrack my own brain for the joys of 2012. There were a few.
ReplyDeleteWhat were they? I am curious. :)
DeleteIf I were to write about what surprised me in 2012, it would take a long time, and I would need therapy at the end. I stopped a bunch of vices too, relatively easily, and I know it helps stabilize my moods. Whatever's clever.
ReplyDeleteYes, your year was packed with surprises! Here's to making it through winter and finding out what springtime has to offer!
DeleteMy year was NOT full of surprises. I am wracking my brain trying to think of one. My father died in June. He had complications from a hip replacement and his health deteriorated rapidly after that. I guess that could be considered a surprise. A bad one. My husband surprised me by offering all his hard-earned money he had been saving for a new garage door to our son to help him out in buying an engagement ring. A good one. I like good surprises. And what great surprises you had this past year! I've said it before and I'll said it again (and agai, probably) - - you are amazing!
ReplyDeleteSurprises happen - perhaps that engagement ring will bring lovely surprises? I am so glad to have known you over this past year and look forward to staying in touch in the new year!
DeleteSurprises - sounds foolish but I am really being hit in the head with the fact of just how oppositionally stubborn I am. I am surprised by that. And it causes some pretty big problems for me in a couple arenas, (which really pisses me off, if you must know). I was also surprised at how well I did in assuming one of my colleagues entire caseload along with my own, and how weird it is to now give it back.
ReplyDeleteI've missed you JT and I appreciate the year end update to make me feel more in touch! Sarah
Oppositionally stubborn? Is that another way of saying you have a strong will? Strong will can be good. Very good.
DeleteI hope the new year gives you room for blogging!
2012 turned out to be quite a year for you. It was mostly a more of the same year for me--I'm going to have to see what I can do about THAT in 2013. ;)
ReplyDelete