2015-Best Year of My Life (So Far)

While the writing goals I had at the beginning of 2015 kinda went by the wayside, as did my blog here, I had so much to celebrate. Here’s something I shared on FaceBook.

2015 was the BEST year of my life. Why?

I was taking care of myself:

— Did yoga and got in cardio on my bike (when I could budge the cat off it).
— Had lumpectomy and got radiation for breast cancer (in full remission, yay me!), though I’m not yet a fan of Tamoxifen.
— Got best possible results on genetic screening for cancer recurrence – NADA.
— Got regular massages via the magic hands of Ketty Rugh-Seligsohn.
— Learned to check in with myself and say NO more often, in large part because of boundary coaching from Sex-Positive World.

I was brave:

Tivvy (Creativity) thinks its HER bike

— I gave my first onlne workshop
— I tried shrimp after years of being too scared. Turns out, I”m allergic to it – but I TRIED it.
— I dated men who were shorter, younger, or otherwise outside my usual “type.”
— I got onstage and told a story at Bawdy Storytelling.
— I filmed some ridiculous but fun video book and music reviews.
— I entrusted myself to the professional talents of amazing photographer Nick Holmes Photo and am still blown away by how beautiful I look in his pictures.
— I “outed” myself as polyamorous and HSV+.

I lost my shit:

— Sometimes figuratively, sometimes literally; I locked my keys inside my car, lost my checkbook, my iPod, and often, my mind.
— I lost a dearly beloved boss and friend, Barry G. Norton
— I still mourn the loss of my dear friend Sidney Patrick, and my brother-in-love, Jim Edwards.

Me & my boyfriend at Paramount Studios

I was entertained:

— At Avenue Q with dear friend Morgan S.
— At the Magic Castle
— At Center Stage Opera (CA)
— At Paramount Studios
— By the enchanting guitar of Daveed Fernando Alvarado
— At book signings with Jenny Lawson, The Bloggess, where I was Furiously Happy (if only for a moment, then I had to give up my raccoon fan).
— By my teenage kittens, Motivation & Creativity, always!

I was rejected:

— After slogging through a year-long writing fugue to polish a story for an anthology… it was rejected. BUT, I wrote another one.
— A long time friend decided she didn’t want to rekindle our friendship. Ouch!
— I was rejected by prospective lovers (and rejected others).
— Some shorter-term lovers and I decided to end our “thing.”

Finished Radiation Treatment #29
Rocking my Tiara Like a Boss

I learned:

— About interesting approaches to sexytimes with Charlie Glickman
— About the Zen flow of Bondage and Meditation with Orpheus Black.
— About Big Beautiful Sex with Elle Chase, Sex Educator
— About Orgasmic Yoga with Victoria Leigh Reuveni.
— About writing and writing attitudes with the California Dreamin’ Writers Conference,
— About various kinds of kink with SPW’s Sexplore Workshop, and about boundaries and consent.

Tamoxifen.
Swallowing, not spitting

I was loved and supported:

— By my family: Bobbie, Beth, Heather, Becky, Justin, and Lindsey, and cousins and nephews and extended family.
— By SOOOO many friends: Karen G, Kathy G, Robin W, Jerilyn B, Carmen, Cassie B, Mina H, Joyce D, and so many more.
— By my Los Angeles Romance Authors (LARA) Board and clan, but especially Maggie Marr, Maria Seager, and Rebekah R. Ganiere.
— By my crit group: Lynne M, Bruce B, Tony F, Vance G, and Jae whose last name I can’t spell.
— By my lovers and FWB and partners in naughty flirtation. You know who you are/were.
— By my Writing Wenches.
— By my Adventuristas and my SPLA tribe.
— By my work family/tribe at BNG Accountancy Corporation
— By the Board and volunteers for children’s literacy program Words on Wheels, Inc.
— And by YOU, if you’re reading this.

Mojo (Motivation) thinks this is HIS gratitude jar.

My gratitude jar OVERFLOWED in 2015, and it’s already begun to fill back up for 2016. My life has been awesome, and I’m happily wrapping my arms around the future (with my back up against the past). ‪#‎sexpositive‬‪#‎lifepositive‬‪#‎gratitude‬‪#‎happy‬

SO much to be grateful for in 2015, and 2016 is already getting off to an excellent start.

My intentions for 2016 are to live life juicily and joyfully, but also to acknowledge ALL the feels, even the uncomfortable ones. (Like my sadness about so many of my favorite artists and musicians passing this month. What’s up with that?)

To get a few more stories written (and a few more blog posts!), to be a good friend, lover, sister, and be grateful for the ABUNDANCE (my chosen word for the year) of excellent people and experiences I have in my life.

Your thoughts?
How’s 2016 going for you? 
How was your 2015?