happy happy 2010.

2010. Sometimes it felt like it was flying by and others where it was positively dragging itself as though it's legs were broken. But when I look back at pictures, it's only the flying bits—which I am incredibly grateful for. I'm fortunate, in many ways. But what I remember most about 2010 is how fortunate I am for the amazing people I have in my life.

There were a few firsts this year. First high school reunion, first trip to Denver (and first professional-type convention). I had my first try-out for roller derby and thusly my first knee injury (meniscus tear). Still, I got my first derby name (Frankie Dee Bruisevelt)—and my first time out as a non-skating official. With the obvious exceptions, firsts are fun.





Then there are the things that happen every year. Holidays, birthdays, sunny days in San Diego in the middle of July. For the third year, Comic Con week was the thing I looked forward to the most and was not disappointed—a week in my favorite city with my favorite people surrounded by our favorite things. There are few things better than that.



We had True Blood Sundays and a game night here and there. Shenanigans abound. These are the people I know I can count on.




It was also the summer (or year) of Scott Pilgrim. I don't think a movie has quite dominated my life in such a way. Jason Schwartzman signed my phone and I got to meet Edgar Wright outside a classy old theatre before the sneak preview.

And as far as the furry friends? It was a year of first there too for the smaller one. Clark had his first therapy visit, his first agility trial and a bunch of first place ribbons. And Maggie's had her best year yet. Coming from a neglectful home, learning to be a dog and relax and play has been a process. But this year she's come out of her shell. It's nice to be able to take her more places. I think she enjoys it too.

Happy, happy, near year and here's to a lovely 2011.

auld lang syne.

Of all the New Year's parties we've thrown, I think last night was one of the best. This is probably for a couple of reasons:

• We have the coolest friends in the world, therefore success is guaranteed.

• Tuesday night's trip to Party City yeilded a bounty of decorations, hats, noisemakers and other party-enhancing accessories.
• There was an insane amount of awesome food. From mini burgers for the carnivorous crowd to some spicy vegan chilli, there was something for everyone.
• Sweet, sweet playlist put together by Matt.
  
• There was an equally crazy amount of adult beverages. Anna invented and in the same night perfected her recipe for Peppermint Dickables (frozen peppermint martini mix + vodka + chocolate milk). My drink of choice was Diet Pepsi with UV Cherry Vodka. It was amazing and at the same time it was dangerous because I couldn't taste the alcohol at all.
• Pick up games of party balloon volleyball.
• The start of a brand new challenge: Pass the Hot Dog Toaster. Check your mailbox, it may be headed your way.
• Another year of laughter when the exploited Dick Clark falls off the countdown by at least a second or more.
• Anna's Party Crackers which produced paper hats and weird, small toys that included butterfly balls, a frog and a pink over-sized paperclip.

It was a freakin' fantastic night. We did Oxford University Christmas before the party which includes the annual "Dollar Store Secret Santa Stocking Stuffer Extravaganza" followed by present opening. That's the third Christmas Matt and I have done this year and we still have two more to do this weekend when we go to Kingston to see my folks for the holiday. This was a trip that was supposed to happen the weekend before Christmas but that got snowed out. So we're heading down after work tomorrow for the weekend.

2008 is gone and long live 2009! This past year had it's ups and downs. Getting married and getting laid off seem to be the best examples of each of those respectively and we've enjoyed the good and worked through the bad. It's worked out, more or less.

2009 is going to be packed with awesome:

• Tim & Eric at the Town Ballroom in a few weeks
• Updating the bathroom this winter
  
• Louis CK in Verona in Feb
• Williamsburg with the fam in June
• Three weddings (so far) to come
  
• Everything's booked for Comic Con in SD this July
• All the awesome stuff that's just not plotted out yet

As for resolutions, I just have one. It's kind of all encompassing. I'm calling it my Superman resolution. It isn't based completely on comic nerd-itry. I figure if I have to Clark Kent it for eight hours a day, five days a week I need to really make something out of the rest of the time. My office/studio is coming together and I want to get back into all the fun, creative stuff I used to do on my own but fell out of. My print Gocco is dying (they stopped making the supplies), so I want to learn to screen print. I need to be creatively challenged and I think that and some other things will sate that need. I want to do more things with my friends and family. They keep me sane and the time spent with them are the best times I have. I want to focus on what's truly important to me. Getting healthier, happier and overall enjoying the ride by not forgetting that it is just that.

ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for...

ROBERT KATT

After weeks of being without its fourth and final member, legendary Rockband supergroup, Robert Katt is complete.

From left to right: Matt (Matt), Anaru (Anna), Penny Moore (Kara) and Chester (Bill).

congratulations are in order.

He doesn't read this (not yet anyway). But congratulations to Sir William on his new job!

wedding bells, both present and future.

This past weekend, Matt and I made the four and a half hour trip home to attend the wedding of one of my best high school friends, Katie. I say four and a half hours, yet if you think you're going to be late -- you can apparently make the drive in three and a half. Imagine that! Thankfully the 'staties' were busy last weekend.

Katie's wedding was absolutely gorgeous. The ceremony and reception were held at a small resort/party house called Twin Lakes. The ceremony was held on the shore of one of the namesake bodies of water. While Rochester is still debating on changing the colors of the foliage, Hurley had opted to show off its brightest reds, warmest oranges and brilliant yellows. The sun was out, the water was as calm as a mill pond and the bride was beautiful (the groom was looking mighty spiffy as well).

Matt and I had an amazing time. We socialized with my dad and stepmother (who were also invited), until they had to depart to attend another wedding that evening. I had the chance to catch up with another high school friend, Kari, who I'd not seen in ages. When we finally got to our table, we were seated with a mix of Katie's Marist friends and their dates. All of whom were an absolute blast.

When the music started going, and everyone started dancing -- it was all the fun of prom with none of the drama. Everyone was just so incredibly happy. Matt also danced. Yes. It's hard to imagine nevermind believe, but he does dance. He's pretty good at it too. He was up for a slow song just about anytime and even a few fast ones. Oddly enough, he took a seat when the Grease MegaMix came on. It was like all the musical demons of my high school days were coming out to play -- I just HAD to be up there with Katie, Kari and everyone else; doing my best rendition of the moves from "Greased Lightning". Thankfully, it was too dark for any good pictures of that. Darn.

Not unlike the bridal show Mom A. and I went to, it kick started me into wedding planning mode all over again. In the past two days I've managed to finish the design of the wedding website. Now it's in the capable hands of Bill to actually set up. If you've seen my portfolio site, you've seen the current limit of my HTML wizardry. I want to learn more, but that's the subject of a whole new post.

In the coming days, the site should be ready to be launched.

I'm excited.

We're really getting married.