2022 YEAR END REVIEW

It’s New Year's Eve … who knew. Not me at least not until someone sent me a text telling me to be safe tonight, and I was like why where I am going. They said you know if you go anywhere for the holiday. I responded with you mean tomorrow. They were like um…no tonight. People celebrate New Year's tonight, since it’s New Year's Eve. I again responded with tomorrow. They wrote back with a screen shot of the date, like my devices don’t also have that. Turns out … guys they were right today is New Year's Eve. The last day of 2022, the last day of the year, tomorrow starts a brand-new chapter full of wonder, excitement and pretty much the same shit that 2022 had but with a different date at the end … if I’m being honest.

New Year's has just never been a thing I celebrate. I mean yeah sure it’s an accomplishment to get from point A to point B I guess and not everyone got to make that circle, heck I went to 2 funerals just this week alone, so I see why people celebrate this “milestone” but I’ve just never been interested in it. Even as a little Marcy I wasn’t concerned with staying up to watch the ball drop. Seemed like a lot of fuss over not much and you spend the night wandering around going from place to place finally landing somewhere to count backwards from 10 then it’s over and everyone goes home or leaves to head to yet another place. I’d rather stay home, sleep at a decent hour and just get up the next day. I will admit I do like seeing how everyone chooses to usher out the current year and welcome the new one, but it’s all become a bit much. Every single town now has a thing. Hell, mine has a Moon Pie Drop. They take a LARGE Moon Pie strap it to the side of a building downtown and at midnight lower it to the ground because nothing says New Year like getting ready for Mardi Gras.

It's been another year of hard work and some appreciation for both Golden and I. I do wish she got more appreciation but there's very little I can do about that. I just completed my first year at the helm of the ship at my work, which has been a learning curve. I'm proud of what we got accomplished this year and know there's more we can do so that's the goal for 2023. Once gain I'm gonna lose some of my vacation time, I hope that next year I do better about that. Golden and I are trying to come up with our next big trip (other than Dragon Con) because it's been a few years since we did that. I think the two of us just need something to look forward to if I am being honest. 

Last year on this day it was 84 degrees and sunny, which was just dumb. I rang in the new year in shorts and a t-shirt. Less than 24 hours later it was raining and in the low 50s. tell me the south isn’t always sick for no reason and I’ll explain all that again. It’s been ridiculously cold the last week or so which was nice to have a Christmas holiday where I could wear my Christmas sweaters without sweating through them for a change. Today it’s 67, cloudy and wanting to rain. We had a wicked storm blow through on Friday afternoon and it was supposed to hold over until today, but it was moving faster than originally thought and we are left with a dreary, cloudy, warm day instead. Tomorrow it’s supposed to be in the high 70’s low 80’s. So basically, back to normal.

I’ve spent the majority of my “time off” for the holidays (Christmas and now New Year's) cleaning. Throwing things away, purging my life of the things I don’t “need” I have 5 bags of things to take…. somewhere. It’s mostly clothing that I can’t or don’t wear, some of which still have the tags on them. I’m really bad about that, it’s the downside of online shopping it looks better on the screen than in my house.

While I wasn’t looking this blog turned 8 years old. Since 2014 we have had 261 entries that have been viewed 27,526 times by ….. someone. We average about 29 post a year, but I credit most of that to the first two years when I did blog challenges and then in 2019, I did kind of a resurgence of the blog in an effort to bring it back to life. I will admit that with this blog I’ve not been trying to set the world on fire, teach anyone anything in particular, or even study specific subjects for a greater understanding of a higher universe but I have tried to stay consistent in my posting. Here lately it’s felt more like a journal or diary than an actual blog with a purpose or passion. Like this isn’t a lifestyle blog, or a blog trying to sell my various projects or causes, or a blog that is used to promote anything or generate likes and collaboration with companies. It’s just me, my little HP laptop that’s still kicking (knock on wood), and sometimes Golden just sharing various thoughts with people who might be interested. It tuns out that while most of our views come from the US, we also get a large portion from Russia and Ukraine (haven’t those people suffered enough) with France and Germany rounding out our top 5 countries. Sorry Canada you just missed the top 5.

I did just learn that our blog with the most views has changed … it used to be the “Royal Welcome” my Real Person fiction about Haley and Michaels working with the Royal Family. However ironically the post now with the most views of 314 is “He is Risen” posted in April 2019 … I just re read it and it’s nothing to special so I’m not sure why so many have felt the need to click on that particular one but it’s gonna be hard to pass that many views. But I’ll do my best.

Have a great 2023 and a safe New Year’s Eve, which is apparently tonight in case you didn't know.

Marcy (@beaslma)

Happy 2022 … wait what it’s already March ?!

                                      

If 2020 was a literal blur and 2021 and was kinda blur the first 3 months of 2022 have been just nonexistent for me hence my first posting of the year coming in March. Between working getting insanely stupid in January to Golden finally getting Covid (with her job it wasn’t when it was if and if finally caught up with her) and the stress of losing my grandma on my fraking birthday, working non stop on a proposal in the middle of burring my grandmother, and then Golden getting pneumonia in February and work continuing to blow up hard for me, plus two new employees to train and get up to speed it’s just been a hot minute since I could breathe. 

This past weekend my bestie took me to Auburn for some much needed R&R … we got to watch Gymnastics, and Softball and even squeezed in some Tom Holland via Uncharted and ate some great food. Got to hang with the nephew and his better half which was a lot of fun and it was just a great relaxing weekend. I didn't realize how much I needed it until we were on our way home and I realized for the first time in MONTHS I was fully relaxed. 

Today is Mardi Gras so I’m off of work, I took yesterday off too but ended up working about half a day. I have a submittal due on Friday so they are hopefully reviewing the “final draft” now and the work I ended up doing on Monday will make Wednesday a little easier ….. I’m also waiting on a subconsultant to get back with me …. One that I’ve not communicated with but my Project Manager has. I hate that. Make the connection then let me and their marketing person get together and handle the rest. Sigh …… I am trying to treat my vacation (PTO) time with the respect they deserve. I have neglected it far too long. So today, I spent my time preparing for my next trip. DRAGON CON !!!!!! I have secured the hotel, I have secured the membership, Golden is making her plans and guys ….. I have a Care Bear suit. I’m gonna be Tenderheart!!! I had Birthday monies in my pocket and a drink in my hand when I purchased it but damn if it's not cute. :D If I have the courage to wear it in the Atlanta August heat that is. Stay tuned for that. 

Since it’s Mardi Gras you know what that means. It’s nearly time for Lent. 4 ways to observe Lent are below if you are looking for ways to participate. I know Lent isn’t only about giving up things it can also be about adding things to the plate but to me erasing something for 40 days is easier than adding as no two days are ever the same. This year's Lent is gonna be hard yall …. Not only am I giving up social media … which frankly I’m looking forward to at the moment, but I’m also giving up Caffeine. No soda’s, no tea, just water and juice moving forward for the next 40 days. Lord help the people I live, work, and are around on the daily.

 

Why do I post my lent plans here …. It’s to keep me in check. I feel that my body is begging for me to do something, literally anything to get myself back in check. I recently did  a health care screening for my work (something about our health care BS) and well let’s just say I’ve never seen numbers so far off. Like it was all so far off I’ve thought about making a visit to my regular GP to just see what’s up. My BP is always high … always … even when I’m taking my medication as prescribed but this time it was like off the charts did it 4 times to make sure high. That’s not good. My weight has been a constant journey since I stopped playing sports and well it’s weird I don’t “feel” huge but lord knows that scale sure felt it. DAMN…. So I am reaching the point where it’s now or never and starting is always the hardest part. I know you are supposed to look at inches not weight but damn I still can’t get over that number. So I’m going to spend the next 40 days trying to retain my body to not crave the crap that I eat and drink. It’s not that I eat badly, hell most of the time I’m not even finishing the meal in front of me but I do like soda, I do like chips, I like to “snack” I just need to make better choices and that’s going to start with me and with Lent. I feel like if I can do it for 40 days … maybe I can make it last.

 As always you guys hold the world together while I am away and for the love of GOD someone please check on Golden every once in a while for me! 

Wish me luck!

 Marcy

Mandatory Year End Post

We started this blog in August 2014 and as I look towards the end of 2017 and towards 2018 I can’t help but wonder …. Why someone would take the time to read what we have written. I mean 12,909 times people have clicked on this blog in the last three years, you’d think that you guys would have better things to read. I mean don’t get me wrong …. I appreciate you all being here I just wonder if you don’t have a head injury, lost a bet in hell, or are under court order forcing you to be here. Either way … welcome and I hope in some small way we have entertained you.  According to my calculations we had over 24 posts this year and had 5 months with more than 3 posts so that’s exciting. I even got Golden to do a few posts in 2017, here’s hoping she makes it back in 2018 more.

I will admit this time last year I was very wary of 2017. I didn’t have high aspirations for it …frankly I wasn’t sure we’d even be around for yearend post to be possible so since we are …. 2017 is a win, I guess, I mean jeezz that bar was set really really low huh? I spent most of the year at near panic attack status and my social media break during Lent helped get me back in check somewhat. It was that serious people. I have also decided based on my previous fears to “seize the day” as it were and do things outside of my comfort zone. I can honestly say for the first time in my professional life I did not neglect my vacation time. You know what was so great about that….work didn’t fall apart. Everything continued as needed and I realized for the first time really that it truly wasn’t all on my shoulders, something my boss has been telling me for years.

This vacation time was spent having a really great time. I started the year with a trip to Auburn to see the Gymnastics team do their thing (we wanted to go to a softball game but no tickets available), then Golden’s birthday trip to the Zoo in May. In July I went with a friend to see Asia/Journey in concert and fart around a bit at the Beach being lazy in a pool (that’s right people I worse a swimsuit in public and no one died (that I’m aware of anyway)). In August/September Dragon Con took full stage, and in October Nashville/Ed Sheeran then to cap off the year Disney with Golden. I made a deal with myself last year I was going to travel more, spend more time with friends and family and have experiences not just wish I was doing things. I took over 3 work weeks (15 days total) off this year at various points of the year and still have over 3 weeks in the vacation bank. According to HR I can also be sick for a month should I need to utilize that, here’s hoping I don’t, then again a mental health day every once in a while might be a good idea. I’ll cough now in case I need it *cough*.

That’s crazy to me, but that’s what some 14 years of neglecting your vacation time gets you I guess. That’s another mile stone I reached, I have now been at my job for 14 years. If work were a kid it would be a teenager about to start studying for his/her permit as he/she stands at the top of the stairs yelling they hate me for being well an adult and “interfering in their life” or some jazz like that according to TV/movies I watch. As it stands, I’m still not married, not even in a relationship of any type, and kids are so far out of my radar that I’ve decided I’m ok with not ever having any, that’s what Nephews are for right?! Speaking of Nephews in 2018 the oldest will be graduating from High School and he’s already been accepted to Auburn University for the fall. He’s really stupid smart and has gotten over $8K in scholarship monies so far and they are still rolling in. I’m insanely proud of him and yet also worried about him at the same time. I’m sure he’ll do fine but I know that my first semester (Quarter … we were on Quarters then) was rough and no matter how many times I tell him that he thinks I got this, which is fine cause I did the same thing when my brother tried to warn me. He’s going to have find out himself and I know that but I wish he could learn from the mistakes I made. He’ll be fine, he’ll stumble and pick himself back up and I just might have to make it to a few games next year to you know check on him and all.

I did a few things this year for me, I went to the doctor for some long overdue things that could have waited but are making my life easier so I’m glad I did it. My blood pressure is more under control than it has been which is, as Martha Stewart would say “a good thing.” I lost a little bit of weight but would like to do more. I’ve never really dieted (as anyone who has seen me can tell) but I do think it’s time I did something for real about this weight, the issue is I really like to eat, and I’m also a stress eater. I don’t eat a lot but what I do eat isn’t good for me, lots of fried food, salty stuff that kind of thing. Chips are my weakness… I LOVE CHIPS any kind all day long. I think it’s the crunch. I also love opening that bag for the first time…… “Hi…My name is Marcy and I’m addicted to the crunch of eating chips!”

2018 I hope for more of the same …. Travel, time with friends, time with family, fun not just work … that’s the goal. I already have a few fun things lined up for 2018 including a few concerts and another trip to Disney in October with Christina and her family. We are going to trick or treat in the Magic Kingdom people! That sounds like so much fun ... mental note to self gotta find a costume. I assume that we will do Dragon Con again but it’s far too early to make those plans, ha! Of course I’ll continue my involvement at our new church – um … I’ve now been there over a year can I still call it my “new” church? – These silly people have appointed me as the record keeper for the monies coming in and out of the church, which is very daunting cause me and numbers don’t get along. Lucky I have people watching my back to make sure I’m doing it correctly, bless them. I assume I’ll also help with Vacation Bible School again and more Kid’s Night Out events are in my future as well I’m sure. The kids seem to enjoy them and I think the parents do as well.

I will write another “New Years” post with resolutions/guidelines for the coming year, but I’ll admit 2018 doesn’t feel as scary as 2017 did, or maybe my brain is just numb to it all…who knows.

Either way … thanks for reading, thanks for being my sounding board, and thanks for not being bored even if I’ve started treating this thing like my diary of events.

Have a fantastic New Year see you on the other side!

Marcy (@beaslma)

PS – in 2018 I’m hoping to get Golden (@theonlygolden) back on this blog, 2017 was not good to her, it was downright evil actually, here is to an even better 2018 for her as well as for all reading these words.

DRAGON CON RECAP

Technically Dragon Con is still underway but as in years past we packed up all the things, got a trolley, got the car out of the lot and headed back home today in anticipation of rejoining the real world tomorrow. Once returning to Golden’s we unpacked the car, said hello to Mighty, changed into comfortable clothes then slept for the next 4 or 5 hours. I personally slept through most of the Blair Witch the sequel, waking up in time for the ending only to find out Golden’s DVR cut off the end of it, and Keanu, which is some movie about a kidnapped cat. Golden slept through them all as well as Lego Batman. I guess eventually we’ll get up and get food but for now I’m letting Golden sleep off the Con and thinking about taking another mini nap before food as well.

Sunday was a blast. We got up late, said good bye to M, and had some lunch at Johnny Rocket’s before heading down to the madness that was the Con. We finally caught that damn elusive Shuttle Bus, the Purple Line that is … the Green Line can kiss my ass, and made our way to the gaming rooms at the America’s Mart.

At that point Golden decided to paint and take a zombie, and she did a damn good job. (see below). While she did that I watched the Alton Brown panel on Dragon Con TV since the line was 2 hours long 3 hours before it started. I mean damn! Also he's bringing back Good Eats and not just as a web series !!! :D The Dragon Con TV streaming was amazing and I'll definitely be getting it again even if I don't come to the Con.

From there we made our way over to the Arcade, I’m not sure if this is the first year that they have had it but it’s the first time we have participated and it was great, will definitely make our way back to it next year. They had all these vintage games and pinball, and new games not released yet and some games that were in another language so we all just guessed and pushed buttons until it did things. It was awesome. 

  

Afterwards we made our way over to the Hilton for the Wynonna Earp meet up. Which was a ton of fun. I mean really no other fandom in the world is as passionate and awesome as the Earpers. While it wasn’t an “official” Dragon Con event the people who set this thing up did a great job. There was drinking, chatting and fun had by all. Emily Andras, writer, and actors Tim Rozon and Michael Eklund joined the meet up for a drink and chat and they made sure to talk with everyone. They love this fandom as much as the fandom loves them. It was cool to see and be a part of. Also Golden ran into several of her Twitter peeps at the event including M H which was a lot of fun too.

   

After that we just walked around and out got our last taste of the awesomeness that is Dragon Con. Saw some cosplay, another really epic dance party and had to catch Uber to get back to the hotel when that damn shuttle bus wouldn’t show up. Really this was one of my favorite Dragon Cons. We actually ended up doing some of the fun stuff available for the Con and didn’t just pay a lot of money to people watch. Don’t get me wrong people watching is fun and all but after a while you think oh look another Captain America and it kind of gets old. Once I recover from this trip we’ll start planning next year’s trip and I look forward to it every year cause if nothing else I get 5 days to hang out with my favorite person on this planet and that after all is the best part of all. Well that and this year it didn’t end with me giving blood and face planting so... WIN!

    

I’ll drive home in the morning getting mentally ready to re-enter the real world on Thursday and while I’m ready to get home I’m sad to leave Golden behind. I miss her like crazy when we are apart and wish science would get off their asses and make me a freaking portal to make hanging out with her more often a possibility. 

Peace –

Marcy

Over 400 views!!!!

Ok so I was typing up this post about how awesome technology is, seriously I love it, I mean I carry a COMPUTER around in my pocket. It keeps me in touch with all the people important to me, and I have another computer that sits on my TV working it’s heart out to keep all my crazy television obsessions at my fingertips. Like I forgot about Wizard Wars on Syfy Tuesday (check it out if you like Magic, if you don’t like Magic watch it anyway and you’ll become a believer if you still don’t like Magic after watching – well just fuck off!)

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Wizard Wars is a competition series with Penn and Teller which takes viewers behind the scenes of Magic by challenging Magicians to create jaw-dropping illusions using random objects. You wanna watch this show.... check out Justin Flom on youtube to get an idea of what you will be getting while watching this awesome display of Magic.
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 Then I went back and re read what I wrote and my heat just wasn’t in it, it was a long day at work and after reading it again I can’t imagine why anyone else would want to read it so I’m going to have to work on that one.

However I wanted to post a thank you to whomever is reading this rambling thought catcher. As Golden and I get ready for another epic trip, seriously our trips are amazing – we’ve been to Vegas, we went on a “Katrina remembrance” tour through Mississippi and Louisiana, many trips to casinos in Mississippi, and several other trips to Atlanta to get our theater on – to Dragon Con we’ll try to keep in touch and take each and every one of you with us.

We noticed tonight that we are past over 400 views on this blog and while we don’t know if that’s good or bad we like to think it’s great and we appreciate every single one of you reading these words and still coming back for more.

We will continue to try and not let you down. Have a great week everyone and thank you all for #MakingOurMonday AKA #MSM