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2012 in retrospect
Half of my flist has looked back on their year, and I figured I might as well jump on the bandwagon.
Working less increased my stress levels, thanks to worrying about the future, and as a lot of my confidence is tied to my professional job, that rather suffered this year. Thankfully by the third stint of no-work late this year, I had grown used to the feeling, and fared better.
As for being creative, I didn't write as much as I'd wanted to. I started four fanfics, two are on the back burner, one still with the beta, and one is the Yuletide fic for this year--and the only one to be posted. I did better with art. I completed the Hermione/Snape mega-background pic, the South Park pic, and did a great deal of work on last year's Christmas present and this year's birthday present, both for the same person, and both of which have yet to be finished. Oh wow. Only two finished pieces, but it feels like so much more. ^^;;
I probably worked a grand total of 24 hours on my original manga, of Laurie the singer and her demonic deal. *sigh* Of everything, this is what I regret not working on the most. I do my best art when I am happy and bouncy, and stressing about work and life does not make me a happy and bouncy chibi elf, and thus I don't do any art. The vicious cycle continues.
In the same sad vein, I've grown distant with all but one of my friends from back home. Changing priorities and everything, I know, but still. The exodus from LJ to Tumblr and Facebook has pushed me away from a big chunk of online friends, too. Everyone's lives are changing.
I am very grateful for those who still keep in touch, both online and IRL. This year I've made two new IRL friends through fandom, and cemented two more that formed late last year. I've opened up to several fun members of my beloved book club, and they've welcomed me with smiles and fantastic conversation--something that makes me very happy. Being included and welcomed is my absolute favorite thing in the world!
On the home front, I finally have a third of my bookshelves up, thanks to a visit from my handy cousin and her husband later this summer. At least my manga is off the floor! One more set like that and I can squeeze all my prose off the floor, too. A third set and I'll be sitting pretty and ready for expansion. And once the books are stowed, I can finally obtain a couch!! Ohhh! I can have company who won't have to sit in one of my rickety old dining table chairs, or on the floor. Such joy!
Physically, I've learned I'm mildly allergic to peanuts, lima beans, and carrots, and have to avoid coffee, corn, oats, and chocolate whenever possible. *sigh* I've also gained 10 pounds, much to my irritation. In attempting to run it off, I've converted at least part of it to muscle. I can now run farther and harder than I ever could, even at my lightest adult weight of 140 pounds. I have a terrific set of legs, they're just hidden by several inches of flab. Damn it. XI This weight gain is particularly frustrating, because I can't wear 3/4ths of the clothes in my closet, and I refuse to admit defeat and buy larger sizes.
In the entertainment area, I've watched and read a ton of wonderful things. Notable on the list are finally finishing the Inda novel series, Sherlock BBC, completing Hikaru no Go, the anime Shiki, rediscovering Firefly, enjoying all of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. (It's cute and I like it!) The Sookie Stackhouse mysteries, too. The HP fanfic, Blood Magic, also deserves a big mention. And I know I'm forgetting several notables in the pressure to list them. :B
I've conquered my fear of driving during rush hour and/or downtown, thanks to Stumptown, helping three friends move, and the trial by fire of my bi-weekly anime nights with IRL friends. :3 Now I just bemoan the lack of easy (and free) parking in Portland proper. There's almost always the train, at least! (Except for anime night. Even if the Max did cross into Washington, that commute would take HOURS.) D=
I guess that's it for this year. My troubles have been mostly emotional, related to work and distant friends. I'm not sick, not homeless, still have a car that's paid for and almost always works *knocks on wood*, have wonderful friends online and IRL, two healthy cats who believe I hang the moonfor their convenience, still have my beloved job with my favorite bosses, and a new series to letter on the way!
When it comes to 2013, I definitely have things I want to accomplish. I want to get the rest of my books off the floor, find some furniture, and have company over more often. I want to finish my original manga, for success with that--even just silently posting pages and watching the hit counts as people read them--would be a big boon to my confidence. I want to keep lettering Skip, Clay, Natsume, and the upcoming New Title 10 with as much love and passion as I've had for my job and manga in the past. I want to get back down to 145 pounds and resume wearing my entire wardrobe. I want to post my three WIP fanfics and write other fic bunnies, for it is my hobby and makes me happy. I want to read less fanfic written by others, and draw more art and comics. I want to protect the friendships I have, and make them even stronger.
I want 2013 to be better than 2012!
Working less increased my stress levels, thanks to worrying about the future, and as a lot of my confidence is tied to my professional job, that rather suffered this year. Thankfully by the third stint of no-work late this year, I had grown used to the feeling, and fared better.
As for being creative, I didn't write as much as I'd wanted to. I started four fanfics, two are on the back burner, one still with the beta, and one is the Yuletide fic for this year--and the only one to be posted. I did better with art. I completed the Hermione/Snape mega-background pic, the South Park pic, and did a great deal of work on last year's Christmas present and this year's birthday present, both for the same person, and both of which have yet to be finished. Oh wow. Only two finished pieces, but it feels like so much more. ^^;;
I probably worked a grand total of 24 hours on my original manga, of Laurie the singer and her demonic deal. *sigh* Of everything, this is what I regret not working on the most. I do my best art when I am happy and bouncy, and stressing about work and life does not make me a happy and bouncy chibi elf, and thus I don't do any art. The vicious cycle continues.
In the same sad vein, I've grown distant with all but one of my friends from back home. Changing priorities and everything, I know, but still. The exodus from LJ to Tumblr and Facebook has pushed me away from a big chunk of online friends, too. Everyone's lives are changing.
I am very grateful for those who still keep in touch, both online and IRL. This year I've made two new IRL friends through fandom, and cemented two more that formed late last year. I've opened up to several fun members of my beloved book club, and they've welcomed me with smiles and fantastic conversation--something that makes me very happy. Being included and welcomed is my absolute favorite thing in the world!
On the home front, I finally have a third of my bookshelves up, thanks to a visit from my handy cousin and her husband later this summer. At least my manga is off the floor! One more set like that and I can squeeze all my prose off the floor, too. A third set and I'll be sitting pretty and ready for expansion. And once the books are stowed, I can finally obtain a couch!! Ohhh! I can have company who won't have to sit in one of my rickety old dining table chairs, or on the floor. Such joy!
Physically, I've learned I'm mildly allergic to peanuts, lima beans, and carrots, and have to avoid coffee, corn, oats, and chocolate whenever possible. *sigh* I've also gained 10 pounds, much to my irritation. In attempting to run it off, I've converted at least part of it to muscle. I can now run farther and harder than I ever could, even at my lightest adult weight of 140 pounds. I have a terrific set of legs, they're just hidden by several inches of flab. Damn it. XI This weight gain is particularly frustrating, because I can't wear 3/4ths of the clothes in my closet, and I refuse to admit defeat and buy larger sizes.
In the entertainment area, I've watched and read a ton of wonderful things. Notable on the list are finally finishing the Inda novel series, Sherlock BBC, completing Hikaru no Go, the anime Shiki, rediscovering Firefly, enjoying all of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. (It's cute and I like it!) The Sookie Stackhouse mysteries, too. The HP fanfic, Blood Magic, also deserves a big mention. And I know I'm forgetting several notables in the pressure to list them. :B
I've conquered my fear of driving during rush hour and/or downtown, thanks to Stumptown, helping three friends move, and the trial by fire of my bi-weekly anime nights with IRL friends. :3 Now I just bemoan the lack of easy (and free) parking in Portland proper. There's almost always the train, at least! (Except for anime night. Even if the Max did cross into Washington, that commute would take HOURS.) D=
I guess that's it for this year. My troubles have been mostly emotional, related to work and distant friends. I'm not sick, not homeless, still have a car that's paid for and almost always works *knocks on wood*, have wonderful friends online and IRL, two healthy cats who believe I hang the moon
When it comes to 2013, I definitely have things I want to accomplish. I want to get the rest of my books off the floor, find some furniture, and have company over more often. I want to finish my original manga, for success with that--even just silently posting pages and watching the hit counts as people read them--would be a big boon to my confidence. I want to keep lettering Skip, Clay, Natsume, and the upcoming New Title 10 with as much love and passion as I've had for my job and manga in the past. I want to get back down to 145 pounds and resume wearing my entire wardrobe. I want to post my three WIP fanfics and write other fic bunnies, for it is my hobby and makes me happy. I want to read less fanfic written by others, and draw more art and comics. I want to protect the friendships I have, and make them even stronger.
I want 2013 to be better than 2012!