Archive for December, 2005

dear 2006

{ 30 December 2005 @ 14:44 } · { Life }
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Three years ago, after my worst year yet, I wrote a letter to 2003. I like this tradition, so here goes.

Dear 2006:

You have a lot to live up to, I’m afraid. 2005 has been quite a year. I have named it the Year of Coming to Terms With All That Bullshit You Thought, Foolishly, You Were So Over, or at Least Over Last Year.

Some of it has been a bit redundant, and it’s getting boring, so 2006, you and I will do some new things. Some very new things. Painfully new. Humblingly new. Just really new, okay? Let’s figure out the neat, interesting things about me instead of only reviewing the dark, ugly parts in therapy.

2005 brought me new friends in a most excellent writing group, fun times with the SFlickr crowd, a superb trip to Ireland and Catalonia, and increased happiness with the MSG. There was also an incredible amount of fantastic food. More of all of the above, please. Also please bless my friends’ babies, just born and almost born, because babies are not all that bad when they’re 500+ miles away.

I need you to be better to Lara than 2005 was. You could also cut the MSG a break or two. He’s been working so hard.

Also, could you do something about the current administration? I’m not going to write about it anymore, because it infuriates me to do so, but I need a little hope on this front.

And in return, I will be extra good to you! See this pretty Moleskine planner I bought just for recording your every date? And I have nice pens, too. Plus, I’m cleaning and reorganizing all of my possessions. No more after-work stress! And yes, yes, I will be more present and will stop obsessing over … um. Everything.

As always, why does Jewel get book deals and I don’t? Please look into this ASAP. Thanks.

_halsted._

P.S. Yes, the rumor is true: I’m starting you smoke-free.

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winter cleaning

{ 30 December 2005 @ 00:12 } · { Life }
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Wednesday I spent cleaning my desk, which is now in top shape. I started dealing with a backlog of several hundred paper statements for various things, which carried over to Thursday, when I was able to file everything away properly. Then I cleaned out my medium-sized shelf; Inkbot and I left it outside on the sidewalk with a bunch of other little things we were getting rid of and within two hours everything was gone. I also cleaned out my small shelf and moved it to the other side of the room, so it is no longer partially blocking one of my windows. Candles, photos, journals and graphic novels were nicely arranged on it.

Later today I will tackle the other side of the room, which involves moving my clothes hamper and chair, and going through my closet. That’s going to suck, but not as much as finishing up the Great Book Purge of ‘05.

This feels really good, but it’s taking quite a bit longer than I expected, and I’m looking forward to the weekend for a break. By the way, if you’re interested in anything on my “market” page, let me know. I am open to bartering.

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not much

{ 28 December 2005 @ 02:55 } · { Life }
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One of the most amazing things about days off spent at home is that I manage to get things done. Not a lot, but still impressive. I might even not talk myself out of getting a neighborhood parking sticker tomorrow, especially since the office is only a mile from my flat.

The MSG and I discovered a wonderful TV show quite by accident when we went to visit his family for Thanksgiving. It’s called “Dirty Jobs” and all about those sorts of jobs you didn’t know existed, most of which involve host Mike Rowe wading through quicksand-like bat guano or getting slapped in the crotch by a baby shark. If you get the Discovery Channel, please try and catch an episode. It’s warm and witty and interesting and often hilarious.

My family and friends were incredibly generous to me again this year with their gifts, and I am humbled. That’s all I have to say about that. A certain cat is plastered to my side, letting me know not-so-subtly that it is time to curl up with “Anansi Boys” before sleep.

links for 2005-12-24

{ 24 December 2005 @ 00:20 } · { Intarweb }
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eve eve

{ 23 December 2005 @ 20:32 } · { Life }
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I lazed about the quiet flat today, enjoyed it being a 23, and also had coffee at dusk. My cat and I took not one, not two, but three naps together. I finished my holiday shopping and I’m not going to sulk about it a second more. My mom has a much better attitude about the holidays than I do.

Soon I will go to the MSG’s and play some EQ2 and oops I forgot to mail my holiday cards. DAMMIT.

No sulking. Just frantic mailbox-finding. Honest.

links for 2005-12-23

{ 23 December 2005 @ 00:23 } · { Intarweb }
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still getting over

{ 22 December 2005 @ 15:16 } · { Life }
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It is humbling and important to realize that not only am I not half as fascinating as I once thought I was, I bore you.

I remember being not exactly what you wanted. I remember hoping you could learn to love me anyway. I remember finding out you couldn’t, and I remember rehearsing in the rear-view mirror just how I’d tell you off.

I never did. I wouldn’t do that. I wouldn’t do a lot of things, like sit down, shut up, pretend it was all okay.

The transit strike is unstruck, the world is full of heretics (thank God), and I’m still getting over you, you pathetic little lump.

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