too much has gone on in 2009, quite frankly. because i don't make resolutions in any far-reaching way, a short list of things i've learned (both the easy way and the hard way) will suffice. otherwise, we'd all be here for years. and i'm not THAT interesting.
- moving sucks. after moving 4 times this year, it doesn't get any more streamlined. as you all know from my ikea-related posts, creating a small life for myself has come with many hours packing and unpacking cars (both the jeep i drove for a bit and blue steel), asking friends and relatives for their trucks, and trying to buy only the necessities for living. (a relative fail given the 30-odd candles i've acquired from another ikea blackout).
- bars tend to be my natural habitat. yes, douchebags abound in every region of the country (it's not just the south, although you might think it from my posts), in every bar in this country, but i am a person enlivened by people in bars being merry and dancing foolishly. and no mom, i don't go out every weekend and get hammered, i go out to dance, observe, and laugh. and get better practice at talking to strangers.
- an air mattress as the only piece of furniture gives me even less motivation to make the bed. my utili-mattress is coffee table, chaise lounge, couch, and dining room chair. i'm always on it when i'm at my apartment, so i might as well be surrounded by blankets. soon and very soon the utili-mattress which catch on like wildfire and the furniture industry will take a huge hit. my prediction for 2010.
- if you are genuine, work hard, and make people smile your life will be even more blessed than you imagine. after moving across the country and coming back for the Weakley Holiday party, i wasn't expecting too many people to show up or care about what i'm up to. it, though, was a huge success, with people coming out of the woodwork and being genuinely happy to see me. i attribute this to 1.) the copious amounts of alcohol and 2.) Andy and I's uncanny ability as a twin team to make people laugh and throw a damn good party. if you are good, others will be good to you. i could give you many more examples of this, but i'll refrain.
- i want to spend my life getting paid to have an opinion. this, i suppose, is why Public Policy/Public Administration is so appealing to me: i want to analyze programs, figure out why they suck (or don't suck) and hopefully have someone high up (Congressmen) listen to me. a big dream -- but hey, dare to dream.
- friends matter. new ones, old ones, and ones you haven't seen in a long time. i tried this year to invest my time, energy, and thoughts cultivating and growing friendships. friends of all types saved me in my saddest and loneliest times. nothing matters more.
- money alone will not make you happy. ever.
- to take bigger and scarier risks. yep, not everything has worked out. but the sheer personal contentment i've gained by listening to my gut has paid off. and i think it always will.
- call your family. they're not going anywhere, and once i got past the teenage angst and pretentiousness the whole clan is pretty cool.
- don't open a Washington Bank of America account and move across the country.
- study for standardized tests (unless you're Andrew Smith)
- go ahead, have another beer. it won't kill you.
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