I wrote something for Global Comment today—should be up tomorrow—about the decade, the politics of it all, and how it was the decade that Americans woke up and got involved again.
Maybe that’s me projecting, though, because the arc of the last ten years for me more than anything else is the formation of my social conscience.
I don’t have any deep thoughts about that at the moment, though—I wore myself out on that.
Instead, 2009. It was a shit year for a lot of people I know, and a shit year sort of collectively, but for me it was an absolutely amazing year. I finished my master’s, saw Obama inaugurated, got my dream internship, moved to New York, met and worked with and befriended people whose work had helped shape me into the writer I am, found out who would have my back and who would go out on a limb for me, and got a job in my chosen career field that I absolutely love, working for a woman who is a constant inspiration. I got stories published in magazines I’ve been reading for years.
Not many people had this kind of a 2009, and it almost makes me sad to see it go because I fear that 2010 won’t be as good.
What didn’t I do in 2009? Pretty much have any sort of a love life. I went on a couple of dates that didn’t result in anything—nice guys that I just didn’t click with. I’m trying to remember if I even kissed anyone in 2009 and I don’t think so (that drunken moment does not count even if part of me did not want to stop it…long story that I’m not telling on the Internet, sorry). I had a series of crushes on absolutely wonderful men, some of whose friendship now I would never trade for a fleeting hookup. But as far as I know I won’t be kissing anyone at midnight, and that’s pretty much OK with me.
New Year’s resolutions? I don’t know if I have any. Maybe to take better care of my body—I eat too much crap and don’t exercise enough. I keep resolving to go dancing more, as it is good for body and soul (and is in fact magic), so maybe I’ll keep that one in 2010.
Tonight? I’m putting on a hot pink dress and I’ve painted my nails with purple glitter and I’m going out to the Lower East Side with some (new) friends. There will be booze. Hopefully champagne, because (hello blog title) it is like liquid happiness and also what is New Year’s Eve without bubbly?
Looking forward: I will keep writing, and keep fighting, and learn new things and meet more new people and love the ones I know better. I WILL kiss someone, and I hope as Mr. Gaiman wished for all of us, that it is someone who thinks I’m wonderful. I will work hard but I will play hard too.
I don’t know if those count as resolutions, or declarations.
2009 might have been good for me, but the past ten years were sort of shit. So let’s have a better decade, everyone.
A friend said on Twitter: 2010: Love, music, wine, and revolution. I think that’s a good plan.
I’m glad we got to meet this year! Loved your writing and it was so nice to put the face with the badassness. I hope you have a fabulous ‘10. Rock steady.
Happy New Year! Hope your awesomeness continues to reign and here’s to boys!