I’m aware 2016 is over and posting this now is annoying. I completed it (mostly) in 2016.
I’m really bad about taking time to reflect and remember things, whether it’s a period of time, an event, a book. I was thinking about the year, and I decided I needed some guidance. I found a series of questions online, and I thought it was kinda fun.
What did you do in 2016 that you’ve never done before?
I went to Austin and saw a bunch of bats fly at dusk. I traveled for work like a true grown-up. I saw the Grand Canyon! That was super rad.
Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn’t really make any New Year’s Resolutions. At least that’s not what I called them. I said I wanted to read more, do more yoga, and unplug more often. Check. Check. And I’ll work on that last one.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope! I have like-minded friends.
Did anyone close to you die?
Harrison’s grandmother died. I had only met her once, but that still sucked. Hopefully, everyone close to me will also make it through this year unscathed.
What places did you visit?
Austin, TX
Arizona- Sedona, Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest.
Atlanta, GA
NYC
What would you like to have in 2017 that you didn’t have in 2016?
Clear skin. I’ve never had that at any point in my life, though. I’m not holding my breath.
What dates from 2016 will be etched in your memory forever?
August 7th – My brother’s wedding
July 17th– This was the night I ugly cried solidly through the first 3 songs at Adele’s concert in Denver.
June 12th– The shooting at Pulse Nightclub
May 12th– The night I went to a celebration of Prince’s life at Film on the Rocks at Red Rocks. Some of the best musicians in Denver played his songs, and my dad recited the whole movie as we watched it.
What was your biggest achievement this year?
Sticking to something. Yoga. It’s been a long time since I found something I wanted to dive into so much.
What was your biggest failure?
Maybe that the cushion in my bank account shrunk quite a bit. Moving was expensive, and I also need to get my shit together on that front. I’m working on making some spending changes like meal prepping to avoid eating out so much and making coffee at home in the morning instead of buying it.
Did you suffer from illness or injury?
Only a stress-induced cold, and I think I broke my pinky toe for about the 5th time.
What was the best thing you bought?
It’s a tie between my yoga mat and my yoga membership for sure.
Where did most of your money go?
Food. Always food. This is why I need to make some changes, people. Please don’t invite me to dinner.
What did you get really, really excited about?
Every show I went to this year whether it was music, comedy, theater. Live entertainment excites me every time.
Also, yoga.
What song will always remind you of 2016?
Purple Mothafuckin’ Rain.
I wasn’t born when it originally came out, okay!!
Compared to this time last year, are you a) happier or sadder, b) thinner or fatter, c) richer or poorer?
I am happier for sure.
Can we stop asking people about weight gain or loss, please? It isn’t everything. Love yourself. How about I’m basically the same size, I’m healthy, and I’m a lot stronger. Seriously, feel my biceps.
I’m probably poorer unfortunately. Maybe richer if we consider my 401k. At least I still contribute that that thing.
What do you wish you’d done more of?
I wish I had continued to look for a new job. I get lazy and complacent very easily because job-searching blows.
What do you wish you’d done less of?
Work. I have a lot of vacation time in the bank for a reason.
How did you spend Christmas?
Harrison and I went to New York to visit his family where I met a very racist aunt. That was almost the most uncomfortable experience of the year. But the rest of it was nice. We hung out with his family, went into the city a few days. We went to the Whitney Museum (of course). We saw Chris Gethard’s one-man show, which is incredibly moving. Thank goodness he is a human who exists on this planet. The last night of our trip, we went to a show at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater where Janeane Garofalo happened to be on the line-up! Janeane!!!! I love her.
What was your favorite TV program?
Ah shiiiittt… So many. I love television. Stranger Things. Duh. You’re the Worst is hilarious. The Night Of. Ah… so good. Season 2 of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt was SO funny.
What was the best book you read?
“Furiously Happy” by Jenny Lawson. Hands down.
What did you want that you got?
A good yoga mat.
What did you want and not get?
A new tattoo. Maybe this year.
What was your favorite film of 2016?
Room was excellent. I also just saw Fences. Holy shit. Amazing. Viola Davis is phenomenal in that movie.
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
30, bitches!!! I took the day off work. Harrison brought me breakfast, we went to a Yin Yoga class, saw a movie, and had dinner with my parents.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If Hillary Clinton had been elected instead of that almost illiterate shit stain on humanity, this year may have only been a small dumpster fire rather than the explosion of rotting garbage it was.
Who kept you sane?
Harrison. It’s always Harrison.
Who did you miss?
I miss my friend who is in law school in Cleveland all the time. She’s one of the smartest, toughest, and sanest people I know.
Who was the best new person you met?
I’m bad at meeting people. #introvertproblems
I think a few of Harrison’s comic friends are pretty cool.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016.
This is an excerpt from a post about yoga from a few months back. I’d say this about sums it up.
“What I’ve realized in the last few months is that being nice does doesn’t mean that you can’t have boundaries, and being open is not same thing as being naïve. Being happy does not mean you can’t take time to recognize the unhappy feelings. Being positive does not mean that you can’t also be realistic and logical.”
Show us one of your favorite photos from the year.
This isn’t a great picture, but this was a special experience. This was a vigil held at Cheesman Park in Denver at the shooting at Pulse Nightclub. They were expecting about 50 people, but even through the rain, the crowd of people who gathered to send their love to Orlando was incredible.
Like a $!*#&@? Lady 
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