Apparently I skipped 2022 (“The Year of Do”)
So here’s what happened in 2023.
This year’s theme was supposed to be “The Year of Me”. I started out strong. But about halfway through the year, I forgot about my theme completely and just kind of… lived…
Things I did for ME:
- Quit my job.
- Got a new job.
- Didn’t audition for things.
- Ran as much as I could.
- Went back to fencing classes.
- Changed my name.
- Attended a convention as a guest.
- ________
Here’s a monthly breakdown:
January: Began weekly livestream drawings. I finally made my name change legal.
February: Stopped worrying about the future of my stories and self published my first ebook on Amazon. That was way easier than I thought it would be. Kind of life-changing actually. I feel liberated.
March: I drew some stuff. I got a big audition, and I cracked the audition code. You know, the one where you just do your best work and let casting pick you. Well, this time, they actually picked me. Contemplated leaving my miserable job.
April: Stopped contemplating and left my job. Published my second short story in an anthology. Booked and worked a brilliant job in Wilmington acting with a few of my favourite actors.
May: Started a new job that pays grown up money. Started actually paying off debts.
June: Came back to fencing a few days a week. Turned 35. Went back to Knoxville to watch my sister and my friend get married!
July: I had planned to do no theatre this year. But was asked to do Midsummer again. I agreed to play Oberon. It was fun, but it really solidified my need to take a break from amateur theatre and focus on other things. I felt bad about taking this role, actually. Since it was the year of “me” and I went against my intuition and agreed to do the play. But it was nice to work with some fun folks.
August: I chipped my kneecap the week before my first fencing tournament. I probably should have sat it out, but I didn’t. “Year of me” sometimes meant “year of me hurting”.
September: Dragon Con burlesque show. Had a great time as Blackbeard, stripping and dressing my Stede Bonnet. Began plotting some Good Omens gayness. Didn’t come home with Covid this year! I did come home with a completely messed up shoulder, however. I’m still working on it. Finally had a honeymoon! Two weeks in the UK with my love! I should probably do a separate post about that.
October: Went to a convention as a guest for the first time.
November: Worked a brilliant industrial shoot. Fell in love with silverpoint art. I tried to do NaNoWriMo, but utterly failed. The muses wanted art, I guess. 10 years married!
December: Finished the initial artwork for my Shakespeare Oracle Deck on my livestream. I put together my first Lego set!
Before I sign off, I think there’s a few things that need to be acknowledged again for their significance. These things kept me going this year. When things got tough, when disabilities were disabling, the following parts of 2023 were real bricks.
- I live streamed almost every Thursday night. It is really neat to look at how my art changed over the course of the year. Someday I’ll have the courage to watch the VODs and see my process and how my attitude changed throughout the process. As stressful as this weekly appointment was, it taught me a lot. I realised that I have the best friends and acquaintances. Without their humour, encouragement, and fanart, I wouldn’t have come close to completing this project.
- Check out the bottom of this post for all the art we made together!
- (In 2024, I’m going to try to do even more with my Youtube channel. I have brilliant friends who have offered to help, and it’s time I started playing well with others. Not sure about the future of the livestreams, but I would still like to do one every now and then.)
- Fencing friends. Made some new pals, reconnected with some old ones. There were a few times when I wanted to make some bad choices, but they helped me keep my focus on me this year. I also have actually socialised with people this year thanks to them!
- John.
- It feels silly to thank my agents when I’m not giving an award speech. But they’ve really stuck with me the last three years, and I finally have something to show for it. Wonderful things. So, thank you!
2024?
Now I’m here trying to figure out what cute theme 2024 will have. Maybe it doesn’t need one? I think I’m just going to focus on storytelling, scholarship, sharing my passions, and my health. Same as I’ve done these last three years. Keep learning, keep sharing, keep running just ahead of despair.
Jml
