I don’t make New Years Resolutions. I get an idea in my head, and I jump on it. I don’t wait for a new beginning, or whatever the idea behind saving up goals for the next 12-month cycle is. I’m impulsive and, as long as I can keep myself from pulling fire alarms just because they’re there, that’s something I’m ok with.
So, having not made any resolutions going into 2011, I think I did pretty well.
Highlights of 2011:
1. Let’s start the new year off right with a little bit of a breakdown. A hiding-in-the-basement-bathroom-at-work-crying-over-nothing-for-an-hour-5-days-a-week kind of breakdown. Top that off with an important friendship being irreparably damaged and I was just one, big, plastered-smiled mess. Luckily, the Universe smiled upon me and this pretty much all happened right before an obviously much-needed vacation from my problems. I went to Orange County. Beth and I have kind of made Disneyland an annual thing. A week with my best friend, Space Mountain, fireworks, and California. It was exactly what I needed, when I needed it. We decided to upgrade to Disney World in 2012. We pinky swore on it.
2. I came back from Disneyland and started seeing a therapist. I am still seeing a therapist. My life is not perfect. At least I can joke about it.
3. I signed up for the Tyranena Oktoberfest Bike Ride. I did that in 2010 as well. In 2011, though, I decided I would actually train for it. I started the #dontdie club. I committed to riding 3 days a week with Sara. I found out I don’t like training. I want to ride when I feel like, because I want to, for as many miles as I want to ride. Riding because of a prior commitment for a pre-determined number of miles is not really my thing. But, at least I had a good training buddy. :)
Memorable bike rides included:
Accidentally biking to Racine County with Sara.
Biking 35 miles on the Willard Munger State Trail in Barnum, Minnesota at 5am.
Actually finished the 50-mile Oktoberfest ride in Lake Mills, WI!
Every single Sunrise Bike ride with Annie!
Total *recorded* miles biked in 2011: 758.93.
Moving on…
4. I quit the gym. I hardly went. I didn’t enjoy it. It was a waste of money. Money better spent on the trainer I now have my bike attached to in the basement.
5. Oktoberfest. It’s an annual event my family does in Two Harbors, MN. Great opportunity to catch up with cousins and aunts and uncles I rarely see. It’s a fun time and worth the drive.
6. Lord of the Rings was re-released in theaters. I went to all of them with Tom and Josh. It was fantastic.
7. I put together a kick-ass Doctor Who costume for Halloween. That wasn’t even the best part. The best part was the one kid who knew who I was supposed to be. Some parents are a little bit more awesome than others, I guess.
8. I took a 4-hour road trip to Rochester, MN. For the day. To surprise a friend going through a hard time and spend a couple hours with her.
9. I started reading again. Regularly, and not just 3 pages before falling asleep. I’d like to give credit to George R.R. Martin who finally released A Dance With Dragons this year. After waiting an eternity for the next book in the saga to come out, I got the memo I could pre-order on Amazon.com. I’ve been reading before bed, on my lunch break, on the couch, in lieu of laundry. Whenever I can, pretty much.
10. Looked up the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee and applied to be a volunteer guardian for adults with developmental disabilities. I’ll be meeting a potential ward tomorrow.
11. I stayed out way past my bedtime, slammed some energy drinks, and saw the Rocky Horror Picture Show for the first time ever. I hated it. That’s right; I said it. It was awful.
12. I went to Wine and Dine Wisconsin for the 3rd year in a row. I went alone. I might never go with anyone again. It was a great experience that I rather enjoyed having to myself.
13. Milwaukee Firkin Craft Beer Festival, Great Lakes Brew Fest, Wisconsin Beer Lovers Festival. What can I say? I love craft beer. I’d like to go to the Great American Beer Festival in Colorado in 2012.
14. Iron & Wine, Rachael Yamagata, The Decemberists, The National, They Might be Giants, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. I was at some great shows in 2011. I plan to be at many more.
I’m sure 2011 had many other highlights. It was, overall, a pretty good year. I’m looking forward to 2012 and the coming Apocalypse or whatever. I have trails to ride, movies to watch, books to read, midnight showings to attend, pills to take, beers to drink, blah blah blah.
Happy New Year.
