A Year Upon Reflection

The Year, Two-Thousand And Five.

A lot happened in 2005, both good and bad. I wouldn't call it an exceptional year and I can't call the whole year a disaster. It was like a never-ending roller-coaster - impossible to predict but enjoyable none-the-less. So here is 2005 in reflection...

- In October I completed a novel, 50,000+ words in 31 days. The first draft has been completed and I am currently on the editing process. At least a dozen people have all read the book so far with multiple points of view, however the results have been positive. I have since start the slow process of beginning a second book. People actually recognized me, "You're the guy writing that book." Wow, that was scary.

- Early on in the year I reached a drastic low in my life. I wasn't sleeping, eating and I was getting rather violent. I punched a cement wall and trust me, it's no fun. Hurts like hell. I chose to vent my frustrations to a friend, which ultimately complicated matters more. Glad that's over with.

- Work has been, well, the same. I've had my ups and downs. I'm still bitter about parts of the union and such but I take it all day-to-day. It's paying money and I can't complain with that. I quit working in the File Department, which means I don't have to do those stupid Sunday Morning shifts anymore. Thank the gods.

- This summer I went on possibly the best trip ever. It was my first time to the United States and a bunch of us packed up in Joshua's car and drove down to Minneapolis, St. Louis and then to Ottawa and Toronto. I had a blast and took hundreds of photographs. Things really started to look up in my life after that trip and things sort of fell into place.

- After several years I finally left the Scimitar this year. I'm still involved in A Call To Duty and Epic Chronicles but no where near the level I was a few years ago. I don't feel like that is my place anymore. We'll see what happens in 2006...

- I had problems with the University of Winnipeg earlier this year. Due to some technicalities I ended up not getting credit for a bunch of classes I was taking for the 04/05 year. FUll year courses. I ended up not attending most of the Winter Session, hating my new Classical Mythology Prof and became quite bitter towards the school. Things are better now, I hope. Never paying for tuition online again.

- I had two boyfriends this past year. Unfortunately due to choices that weren't my own, they didn't work out. Too bad, it would work.

- I turned 21 this year. We had a nie dinner at Sukhothai and did pumpkin carving at my place. It was a nice way to celebrate. I didn't want to party and go to the bar and it was nice just to spend the time with friends. Plus I don't think I'll ever forget Michelle and Matt's pumpkin.

- After several years I finally got down to collecting DVDs. It's a rather geeky collection, so I won't go into details.

- Lana developed arthritis this year. For a while it was really bad and we were treating her with painkillers. She seems to be getting better, but she needs to lose some weight. I need to run more. In the spring I plan on taking her out a lot more...it'll be good for her and me.

- Got my laptop in 2005. It was sort of my gift to myself. Joshua and my mother helped me pay for it at first, but I've since paid back that debt. It's been really helpful not only with school work, but with my novel and just everything in general. I also got my iPod this year (Happy Birthday me) which I love. Yay music.

- Had a crappy holiday season at the end of 2005. I've felt sort of lost and without any sort of direction. We'll see what happens with that, but for now I'm trying to move on and forget the past few weeks...

- Got my first credit cards this year. Boy was that a mistake. I've been really good at paying them off, but damn I'm using them a lot. Online purchases, groceries and lots of Christmas gifts. Hell I even used them to buy Jessica an overly expensive dress...

- Went to the ballet for the first time this year. Joshua, Jessica, Laura and myself got tickets for Dracula in October. It was amazing, and I loved it. I went to the Nutcracker in December with my mother (Christmas gift to her) which was equally as enjoyable, but no where near as impressive. I love the stage.

- I was supposed to move out in September of this year. I have most of everything I need and was prepared to get out there on my own. Ultimately however plans fell through, but I am still hoping to move out soon. New goal is April 31st, 2006. We'll see what happens I guess.

- Had a vehicle stolen for the first time this fall. Damn, that was a pain in the ass. I wish we could have caught whoever did it. At least we got it back though. Sigh.

- I made a resolution with myself in the Spring that I would never give up, despite how hopeless everything seemed. I didn't give up and I've worked really hard to improve my life. Even now I'm trying to make things better. As to whether it'll work, I don't know, but I have to continue to try.

- Developed an obsession for webcomics this year and planted the seeds for Laura's addiction. Damn Penny Arcade and it's infectious nature.

- Spent a few weeks of my life at Joshua's this year. It was nice to just get away and be with him. Webster was locked away and I found myself comfortable in his home. We even tore apart his room in an attempt to get him organized. Next time I'm going to empty that closet and not give him a choice but to deal with it...

- Threw a few big parties this year. The first big one, I was late to. Ended up having to work (damn me and my guilty conscience) and picked up a friend on the way home. Everyone was there except for me. Both BBQs and all the birthday parties and this years Christmas Party were a blast. All the pictures are of course online.

- Cut back a lot on slurpees this year. My addiction to sugar remains strong but I've been trying to eat better. Haven't had McDonalds in six months and I started drinking Booster Juice at school.

- Speaking of food, I had the most insane and expensive New Years dinner at the end of 2005. It was a six course meal and what I had included Duck, Bison and Caribou. There was a wonderful mousse dessert, a dance (scary), Champaign and all in all it was a good time. Overly expensive though.

- Saw a bunch of great movies, mostly in the last few months. The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Serenity, Corpse Bride, Constantine, Finding Neverland, Elektra, War of the Worlds, Rent...the list goes on. Definitely a good year for movies and I can't wait for Rent to come out on DVD.

- Got a new bed, desk, TV stand, floor and photo frames...my room really is becoming my own personal space now. Doesn't feel like home yet though...
...

...that is 2005. I'm sure I've missed things and I may add more to the list later. For now, that is my year; the good, the bad and the fairly neutral.