The Year in Fast Backward

I've been doing a lot of thinking, which for those who know me know is repetitive as everyone accuses me of doing too much thinking. I'm not usually an end-of-year start over/new years resolution kind of person. I usually make resolutions and try to implement them as I go. But this year has been different. In a lot of ways, my life started again. Rebirth? I don't know, but changes in a lot of ways, anyhow. So I blogged on Myspace a little blurb of what's to come for my future month off of school to explore my ideas. It's not a bad soul searching exercise--in fact, there are many wonderful aspects of the last year I want time to digest. I figured it was best to find an arena for my thoughts that was a little less commercial than Myspace, a little less accessible to everyone I know than Facebook, but still a place to share. So here I am. And this is the beginning:

It was in some ways the best ever and for a couple weeks the worst ever. It was up and down and challenging and easy and enlightening and mind boggling.
It started in a great way--a fabulous, drunken, fun New Year celebration and a little bar hopping. Live music then DJ music; mixed drinks then champagne then wine then craziness. Music, crazy, fabulous, drinks...in some ways a preview.
In January I went to Washington D.C. with Mic and protested the war at the capitol. Along with a few hundred thousand people (otherwise referred to as a bazillion). We had crazy adventures and there was a long and exhausting search for George Mason. We finally found him at dusk, sitting humbly apart from the other monuments reading Cicero. That was a very good way to start the year.
I've met some people this year that I could not be without. I've learned a ton, realized things about myself. Parts of me I forgot were there (and others I never knew were there) got woken up. I learned to emotionally let go of some things, and embrace other things. I found out that security isn't the most important thing, no matter how old I get and that feeling alive exists at higher levels than I ever experienced before.
I reconnected with some old friends and made lots of new ones. I had some really low points. So bad that when I closed my eyes at night I didn't want them to open again. But they did, and when I came through it I remembered that the most challenging times are some of the ones that strengthen relationships the most. I also learned that love is stronger than I am.
I started a new school and found new challenges. I broke my vow to not start a peace club and did it anyway. I also realized the busier I am, the more energy I have and the more I am me. I realized I can't save the world on my own, but also realized I can't stop trying to change it.
I got a stalker, got propositioned and got an iPod. Got poked, tickled, had my ass whooped at pool and darts, got edumacated. Had an argument with one of my professors, figured out that grad school is about theory and that when the theories that exist don't work it's time to write my own. Was naughty, was nice, was stressed, was relaxed. Felt someone else's pain, wished it were mine instead. Played word games, skipped class, got a job. Found it, almost lost it, found it again,. Saw one of my best friends find happiness, another saved from drowning in too much work.
Memories forever include lots of parks and trees; fireflies in fog; music abound; bodies of water, large and small; spectacular moments; laughter and grass stains; Senators against the war; crying on Mason's shoulder; being awe-struck by Lincoln; morning phone conversations, afternoon conversations, evening conversations, online conversations, conversations in goth bars and passing darts. Getting tag-teamed with politician jokes, lunch rides to anywhere. Discovering places that now seem like home; realizing that home is the feeling not the place. Experiencing the beach. Experiencing the wonders of technology. Foos and Fucksticks. Smoking with cool people--and being captain V. And so much more that goes through my head every single day. It was a year to cherish.
There's a lot more, but this is the ultra condensed version that I needed to get out before I explore it in more depth on my own. To the people who have been part of my magic and my pain and my craziness and my special moments (who know who they are) I love you and thank you for being in my life.
Here's to another great year and here's hoping the challenging moments are in the past, but also knowing that we are worth going through all the challenges we must face. Peace, Love and Happiness