Auld Lang Syne

Happy New Year! My only resolutions for the year are to stop eating out (except for occasional Golden Turtle bun) and to update this more often. Otherwise, I just want to continue the positive steps (joining the Y and the ROM, giving more to charity, working at a job I really enjoy, signing up for a short story writing class) I took last year. I figure that's all reasonable and likely to last.

2009 was a doozy of a year. I lost my job at the end of 2008 and spent the first few months of the year in a bit of a funk that was only fed by the loss of loved ones. By mid-year I was initially hired for five weeks to do the job I'm returning to on Monday - five weeks to seven months, not bad. Although it remains a contract, it's an interesting job for now and it has done a lot to help me restore confidence in myself. It isn't an overstatement to say I felt a bit lost for a couple of years... actually from 2004 until the end of 2009. That's quite a while. I knew I loved Brad, but otherwise, I was sort of adrift. I feel way more focused now, more confident.

I saw more of my Nana this year, which is nice. She re-told me stories I've heard all my life - about the way she met my Grandad and what things were like during WWII - stories that are part of my internal fabric, stories I fear will be lost one day. I introduced her to sushi and Ethiopian food. Don't tell me you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

I've spent a lot of time listening to Yo La Tengo, Neil Young and The Thermals this year. Today I heard the new Besnard Lakes, which is pretty stunning. I have to admit I like the tv show Glee.

I'm trying to see people I care about as much as possible. I miss Jamie and I don't want to spend my whole life regretting time not spent with those I love.