Loss, Recovery and Recognition

There’s a lot that’s been going on, but time has been short to write about it. One of my new year’s resolutions is to write more. When life starts getting carried away there are so many little moments that I long to remember, but I get so caught up in them that writing them down is a distant thought. But I need to chronicle the workings of my every day life, even more so when it’s good and happy so I can remember and focus on the positive. The tendency for me, as well as a lot of other writers is to write when things are bad, when there are unresolved feelings and issues that need to be gotten out of your system. Then the happy moments seem to fall by the wayside of busy schedules, timing conflicts and happier lives. I think that writing both when you’re unhappy and when you’re happy are important – even equally so. And I know, for myself, I need to make more of an effort. Writing is still such an important part of my life, I can’t imagine myself without it. It’s worth taking the time and effort to do, and I’m making an attempt to bring that goal to fruition.

The holidays went off with hitches galore, but we rolled with the flow. The Friday before Christmas, Devon and I went over to Leighann’s house for a would-be game and drinking night – only to wind up in the Emergency room due to animal attack/injury. To make a long story short, in the effort to protect my fiancée from the evil designs of a temperamental feline, I got attacked in the process. And by attacked, I mean full fledged attacked. He bit and punctured my upper arm, into the muscle. It bruised and swelled immediately, and due to the fact that it DID look so bad, and it was a bite by an animal, Devon pushed me into going to the hospital – and I’m glad she did. They cleaned it out, gave me morphine, antibiotics, and told me that an injury like that probably won’t fully heal for a couple of months. Live and learn, I guess. Devon has since made up with the cat. I have not. On Christmas, Devon and I spent a lovely few hours at Busch Gardens, enjoying the animals and a lovely lunch. We came home and had a wonderful, honey baked ham dinner all to ourselves.

New Years is a drunken blur, but it involved Dancing games, horrible birthday cake martinis, laughter, co-workers and friends and a random house party. Thankfully, no hangover. New Year’s day was a quiet day at home full of relaxation.

2012 has started out with a bang, and some sad news. I found out shortly after the new year started that one of my friends from High School has passed away. We had reconnected on Facebook, and she was always happy and cheerful and encouraging. Her loss was a bit of a blow, even though we weren’t really close. It affects you. Wedding planning and preparations are off to a flying start, save the dates will be ordered this week and paid for, Devon already has her dress, I’m suit shopping and looking at tent rentals or alternative reception places. On a small island with only a few hundred people, it may be in short supply. The tent rental will probably be our biggest cost. Then food. Then alcohol. Devon also wants to rent a dance floor. We were given a gift of an “anti-bride wedding planning book” for the holidays by her mother, and we are putting it to good use. The preliminary guest lists are done, and even if everyone on the list showed up, it would be under 50 people. That was the goal – we’re thinking 30 is more likely due to the location and travel expenses, inc. I also have to get on the ball about airline tickets since we are buying 3 – one for each of us, as well as paying the travel expense for my co-worker and friend Anna, who is doing the photography as our wedding gift. I may have 5 people there on my side – the good news is since it is so few people, they don’t have to worry about hotels or transportation – they can stay with me at the house. We should all squeeze in there nicely, especially since Devon won’t be there the night before the wedding. One of my friends from work is taking the non-formal responsibility of “best man” since we’re not having a wedding party, and is in charge of my “bachelor” party. Devon and I will also be doing a joint one together at some point, as well as the event her friends are planning for.

Work has involved 10-12 hour days for the past few weeks, ever since the new year kicked off. I’m running on fumes and hilarity at the moment. It’s a lot of work, and is definitely a challenge, but I enjoy what I”m doing at the moment. My inbox never seems to get any smaller for any substantial length of time, but I am doing what I do well, per my co-workers, and my manager, which is saying something. By the time I get home I’m pretty tired, but I do my exercises and get in some good snuggle time before bed. Then rinse, lather and repeat.

This weekend is the celebration of our one year anniversary. It should be pretty low key – we have dinner reservations at Park Shore Grille on Saturday night, which will put us right back where it all started, in downtown St. Pete. We plan on walking around down there for awhile, seeing the old apartment building and discussing memories as well as plans for the future. The rest of the weekend is blissfully unplanned – since Sunday IS our official anniversary, we are talking about retracing our steps for our first date, although Borders is now defunct, and will have to be substituted with Barnes and Noble. Then on to the Causeway for a few hours of talking, and writing our names in chalk on the ground. This time I don’t have to drop her off at her apartment though. Probably rent a few movies, or watch some Buffy, our common love. I’m looking forward to it immensely.

I’m applying to go back to college online, even if it means I can only take one course at a time. The University of Maine has a wonderful online course study program in both History and Psychology. Eventually I would like to focus on the Psychology of Religion throughout history, and why it caused so much suffering and persecution on all sides, then look at how its affecting and shaping the world today. I would love to get my degree, after all this time.

I think that’s a quick run down of the current events. I am making an effort to write more, and will be more conscious about reading other people and leaving notes. I don’t like failing new Year’s resolutions, after all.