So, never went back to Blue Apron. I stopped using my Bullet Journal around March or April and started using Evernote in a similar way, but then that only lasted until late July, then I got bored with that too.
Bought (leased) my very first brand new car–a shiny blue Honda HRV. Started studying Spanish, then lagged. Bought a guitar! Took one lesson at Guitar Center and practiced a bit with YouTube videos; I’m planning to sign up for more Guitar Center lessons after Labor Day. I also started a savings account dedicated to funding a trip to Africa in a few years. (I’m not getting any younger, and it’s time to do the things I’ve spent my life wanting to do, like speak more than one language, play an instrument, and most importantly, go on a photo safari in Africa!)
Soon I shall be in MA for my annual vacation for the triple birthday threat, with an extra birthday this year–my cousin is turning 50. (Next year it will be my turn.)
I think that’s it for all the changes of the past year. Hopefully my next update won’t be nine months away. 🙂
Matt Inman (The Oatmeal) holding my handcuffs for a pic at Denver Comic-Con, June 2014Wow. I have not been here in a gazillion years. I wasn’t even sure I’d remember how to log in, but fortunately my browser remembered my password, even though I didn’t.
So, no posts for the entirety of 2014. How pathetic. Here’s a quick rundown of what I did in 2014:
Things kind of went to hell at work, through no fault of my boss or anyone in my department, but I definitely don’t harbor any fluffy feelings for the H.R. department. It led to a craptastic summer depression that segued into horrible weight gain, and I still haven’t bounced back from that. Yay? I have, however, revamped my professional website (pmcarlson.com). And possibly my resume.
The sis and brother-in-law finally bought a house, and I spent much time flying out there to hang out in it. It’s a large 100-year-old Victorian that’s currently getting pummeled with snow and ice, with a large backyard, a garage, and my own bedroom. It’s pretty sweet.
I didn’t go to any professional conferences in 2014, but I did fly out to Denver for their Comic-Con and for my friend Jacqui’s 40th birthday. The weekend had its ups and downs, but overall it was a good time–plus I got the Oatmeal to hold my handcuffs for a pic. 😀
National Champions!
My 8-ball team won first place in the Vegas tournament! We are officially the National 8-ball Women’s Team Champions….in the trophy division. That’s kind of like the kiddy-pool of divisions. However, we got awesome trophies that say FIRST PLACE, and really cool leather jackets with National Champions stitched on them, along with our names. It was pretty awesome.
Kayaking on some river in New Hampshire, Labor Day Weekend 2014
Let’s see, there was also kayaking in New Hampshire, going out onto the ice after a Kings/Bruins game, new glasses, a visit to the mantis shrimp in Monterey, a new GoPro (won it at the department holiday party), a visit to Nerd HQ, a new niece!, and a one-time foray into speed-dating.
And also, my stepbrother died, last March. Which sucked.
So, that was 2014. Some good, some bad, and totally over. Hopefully I can be better about posting in 2015.
Not here, of course. Actually, I’m just bemoaning the lack of snow in my very many digital photos. I guess I just haven’t been very good about seeking out good snow pics in the TEN YEARS since I got my first digital camera. Dammit. Gotta remember to check my photo drives when I get home tonight.
On Tuesday I saw a deer pooping in the woods. It was squatting, and it made me wonder why some four-legged animals squat while pooping, and why others just poop standing up, like they don’t even know what’s going on with their ass-end. (I’m looking at you, horses and elephants!) Do they perhaps not have nerve endings back there to tell them something is being ejected from their body? Do they seriously just not care that smelly feces are dropping from their butts and possibly leaving stuff behind on their legs in the process? Inquiring minds need to know, dammit!
