The Decade In Review

When I started the decade I was portly, unemployed, and generally a hot mess. But then this decade happened. The decade I got my life together.

When the decade began I was a bitter, depressed divorcee who had been without a job for almost two years. I was lost, adrift on a sea of self pity and self loathing. I had no idea what to do with my life now that my life as planned had ended two years earlier.

But then, in the fall of of that year I enrolled in grad school. I took my love of music and took the plunge. The degree was less than useful in a monetary way, but it served to really turn my life around. I had something to focus on to drag myself out of the slump I had been in.

Along the way I rediscovered my love of writing. That has lasted ever since, birthing such wonders as this website you're now on. I've written three full length novels, and a huge number of novellas and short stories. I've been published, and am steadily working to making it my career. But if nothing else it's been amazing to bury myself in creativity once again.

That is also when I joined the Plugs. That journey was a wild ride that lasted me the next almost eight years. It introduced me to so many amazing people, and formed friendships I expect to last the rest of my lifetime. I am no longer a member, but I don't regret that journey at all.

Starting in 2013 I began going to Dragoncon, and haven't missed a year since! It has become my favorite weekend of the year, without a doubt. Getting to introduce my friends to it has also been a special sort of awesome!

This is the decade I also was reminded of my love of camping and hiking. I did my first solo multi-day hike, and got to camp in a number of cool places. It's definitely something I hope to keep doing in the coming years.

When it comes to travel, I've got to go on a number of grand adventures. I roadtripped the length of Highway 31, went to Bardstown, flew around the world to New Zealand, and saw far, far, far too many concerts to count.

My health was a mixed bag. I started taking my depression seriously, and got into therapy. I lost a ton of weight (70+ lbs) but then gained it back. I got lasic, so I can finally put my glasses to bed. I broke my wrist, and my hand in stupid ways. I finally got health insurance.

I lost my dad, a wound that still hasn't fully healed.

I bought a house.

I grew up.

So here's me, at the end of the decade. It's been a long strange trip. There are things I would change, if I could. But as I can't, all I can do is live the next decade even better than the last.