I'm not gonna lie. I suck at this blog upkeep thing. It's fine, I'm cool with it. I've owned it. It's my reality. I'm conscious of this manifestation...insert all other platitudes that will absolve me of my concern here. 2010 was...was? It's over? WTF? Obviously I've been really *aware* lately...I haven't been able to come up with random things to talk about here, I've all but dropped out of the Twitter and FB scenes and I've barely made anything in months. Except for a new home. At least I have that to show for all of my recent hermitty-ness.
I don't want to get into rehashing the move, or 'the year in review' or my plans for 2011 or how much things are great/annoying/exciting/exhausting, so I've decided that this first post of the new year will consist of nothing more than a list, some pix and maybe a few captions. Besides, I've got to get to bed sooner than later.
First I'm going to get my tea, so you just hold on a tic.
The List (and the photographic evidence) or, Everything of Note that Happened in 2010.
(super-duper awesomesauce experiences are denoted by 'bucket list' status.)
- I cooked Beef Bourgignon out of Julia Child's cookbook. Worth every step. (bucket list)
- Part-time contract extended into full-time contract
- I turned 34, had a party at the pub, and goofed around on a killer fun weekend in Ottawa with D and family and sat at Le Nordik in the falling snow.
- I studied with the divine Mira Betz and had my mind blown (and my quads reduced to ashes) (bucket list)
- I danced with Maya Fire on the main stage at the International BellyDance Conference of Canada (bucket list)
- Field and I roadtripped to Windsor to dance duets at the For the Love of Isis show, and it was my favorite performance of the year. And my pantaloons fell down while we were dancing. Awesome.
- Mr. and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary (bucket list worthy because being married to him is awesomesauce.)
- Our beloved little man Nova passed away at the honorable age of 16 cat years and joined his fur-brother Boss (who left us in Nov. 09) in the Better Place (eyes are tearing up typing this.) They were and always will be two of my very best friends.
- I made my first pair of pantaloons, in silk no less. Somewhere around here I realized I didn't totally suck at zilling either. Win.
- We were neatly snared by the charms of two little boys named Rama and Bear and we suddenly became cat-parents again. They have helped heal our broken hearts and have filled the house with kitten-induced madness. I stupidlove them.
- I actually enjoyed Canada Day, for the first time in years.
- Mr. turned 35!
- After a 5 year hiatus, I had my passport renewed so that I could head to Buffalo to dance at The Buffalo Infringement Festival, which was a riot.
- We had a vegetable garden again. It produced very little, but was still somehow enjoyable.
- I lost 12 pounds while enjoying a summer of eating bbq streetmeat and gelato every Friday evening whilst hanging with Mr. and reading comix at Lakeside park. Best. Cheap. Date. Ever.
- Finally (FINALLY!) took a floral design course. Not surprisingly, I LOVED IT THE MOSTEST FOR REALS. Wish I had done it sooner. It was the best possible way to spend my Sunday mornings since...sleeping in.
- Roadtripped to Michigan with the Mighty V and members of Maya Fire to participate in the Sacred Circles dance retreat, where I met and studied with the extraordinary Carolena Nericcio. It was the funnest long weekend of the year and it completely rejuvenated me body and soul (as did the bottle of whisky and the massage that I had) (bucket list)
- A short 2 weeks later, performed for and studied with Carolena again at the ATS Workshop held on our home turf. Met new people so cool that I'm not sure how I got on this long without them.
- One month later, with our entire life packed into boxes, we moved from our high-rise home of 10+ years into a two-story wonderment of space, light and possibility. It couldn't feel like home more. Now, if I could only find my rolling pin/hair brush/croix de sud necklace/metallic kitten heels/studio tools/brain/etc/etc....(bucket list - or just very long awaited)
- Our move brought a very important detail to light. Our friends are fucking amazing. I am overwhelmed by their awesomeness, and we are so damn lucky to have each and every one of them in our lives.
- On Dec. 31, I celebrated the completion of my New Year's resolution which was to do yoga every single day. And I did. And I still am.
- Celebrated Christmas in our new home. Took our traditional Christmas Eve Scotch Walk across a new bridge and toasted all of the above, and everything to come.