Week 1

Hello my lovely followers! I hope thus far 2012 has been treating you well.

I have to say I was not one bit sad to see '11 end. What a terrible year it was. A slew of health problems plagued myself, my family and my friends. What with my shoulder surgery, and my arthritis taking an incredible turn for the worst, my mother's shattered ankle, and pulmonary embolism, my grandparent's constant in-and-out of the hospital, and Allen's nearly dying from a horrible lung infection... sign. Yeah, 2011 can bite me.

On top of that, I have had the misfortune of finding out a very dear friend of mine is HIV positive. My heart breaks over this. I know I'll be the most supportive I can to them, and probably become a crazy prevention advocate... wait, I already am. Regardless, I worry for all my other friends, and you, my dear readers. So be you gay, straight, male, female, whatever... pleasepleaseplease get tested, and practice safe sex. There's no reason for this horrible virus to continue to be spread. Bellow there is a link to a wonderful non-profit in the Ann Arbor area. They offer testing, information and support groups.

http://hivaidsresource.org/

I hope this never has to be a reality for anyone else. But know that no matter if we've been friends since pre-school or have never met, I'm hear to listen, and offer whatever support I can.


~~~~~
Ok, getting off my soapbox now...

I promised a few days ago my plans for the next year and a few stories of New Years past.

This year, my resolution is/was to actively work to improve my mental state. It is no surprise or secret that I've been circling the drain for quite sometime. I haven't been going to counseling and the medication I'm on doesn't exactly work. But these things need to change. I know counseling isn't in my near future, but getting a different medication regiment is something I can do. That and writing. Near and my other side projects. At least trying to direct some of my energy outwardly should and does help a little. The plan is to write 3 entries a week. I can say now, they aren't all going to be humorous. I have some demons that are rather dark, and I know that committing to writing often will spur some very sad entries. Definitely some old stories that I need to share and--hopefully--stop dwelling on.

Story time.

On my drive back to Ann Arbor New Year's Eve, I began to ponder how many years back I can remember to what I was doing for the end of the year. So, here we go:

2012-- Driving/In my car at midnight, then spent playing Skyrim
2011-- At Aut bar with Matt, Allen and Julia.
2010-- Dinner with Matt and last minute re-invitation to Amber's "party"
2009-- Pajama party at my apt with Matt, AP, Marc, Joey and Wes.
2008-- In Ferndale for Ellen's house party, then a 3 hour drive back to Ann Arbor in a snow storm with Meredith. Followed by an epic World of Warcraft play session. Then Fran came to visit for the day, and we went sledding.
2007-- With ex-gf and ex-college friends at ex-gf house party. Which I eventually bailed on to get drunken Fleetwood--whoops.
2006-- I have no memory of this night!!!! When consulting my friend Dano on what we may have done on that night, he responded, "Get drunk?" Thanks Dano......
2005-- Went to a *huge* house party, where my ex-gf and I first kissed, and then shortly thereafter dated for nearly 2 1/2 years.
2004-- Karaoke party with a boy from high school, my friend Ellen, and--I believe--AP.
2003-- Unsuccessfully sneaking into a bar with an ex-friend. This particular ex-friend will come up later on in posts as the worst human being in the world.

Well.... I'd say that's pretty impressive how many I can remember! 2006 has been driving me crazy for near-on a week now. But who cares, right?

Sorry for a boring entry. I'll rack my brain for a better story to tell next entry. For now, I'm going to sleep. I wish you all a good weekend, and a better year.

Hearts and kisses,
--L