Hi, WTF Has Happened In The Last Year?

It's clear that I haven't recorded much here over the past year. Truly! The last post was... uhm, posted... exactly one year ago yesterday, and in it, I asked you, Dear Reader, to choose from a pitiful (originally described as "lengthy"...?) list of adjectives to help fill in the statement, namely:

2012: The Year I Blog [Adjective]

As you may recall, adjective choices included:

• More
• Less
• Occasionally
• Weekly
• Biweekly
• Bimonthly
• Bilaterally
• Better
• Worse
• Good
• Casually
• Handsomely

...and so on. Actually no, the list ended there. Pitiful indeed!

Anyway, no one responded, and despite my own obligation to do so, I didn't consider the list or the future of this blog, either. Sooooo yeah, that's where things ended. January 13th, 2012, one year and one day ago, the day I decided to think about making a decision regarding this fine collection of ramblings.

AND YET! Here we are, all together again! How fine, how dandy! Holy cats when did it become 2013? That year doesn't have a nice ring to it. Not yet, anyway. One year from now, just you wait, we will find ourselves right back here in a similar situation sharing a similar conversation, and I'll admire your sweater and you'll say, "Why, thank you!" and I'll say, "Holy cats, when did it become 2014? That year doesn't have a nice ring to it. Now 2013, ahhh, that was a classic-sounding year, don't you agree? Let's go make hot cocoa."

A fine collection of ramblings indeed.

Alright then. Now. What do you say we disregard the past 366 days of silence and just sort of pick back up as if nothing happened at all? Not that much really did happen. Actually hmmmm well let's see now, what did happen? Surely something must have.

TIME FOR A PHOTO-FUELED TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE! (I love those.)

(Note: prior to collecting photos to share, I scrolled back through some old posts from this blog to find things I had once shared with you that warranted an update. Holy cannoli, I can't believe how devoted to blog upkeep I once was. I mean, wow. Loser.)  

On with the adventure.

-January-

Braved the freezing cold tundra to take some photos. But hey now, where's the winter snow? (SHHH don't jinx us.)

-February-

Discovered bicycle was not actually stolen. (Resumed leisurely bike rides, when it got warmer out.)

-March-

 Drove cross-country from Minnesota to New Jersey. Saw many breathtakingly beautiful things.

Upon arriving in New Jersey, spent time with the little man.

-April-

Co-created and subsequently co-consumed an Easter feast that strangely resembled Thanksgiving dinner...

A good time was had by all.

-May-

Began writing a book. Photo below taken on Day 1 of writing. Face says... enthusiasm.

Also in May, returned to Jersey. Ahhh nice warm pretty happy day at the beach. (Sadly, the roller coaster in the distance... yeah, now it's in the ocean.)

-June-

Braved Mother Nature and the havoc she wreaked upon the streets and streams of Duluth.

-July-

Went on pretty drives, near and far. Near: Island Lake.

Far(ish): Twin Cities - for a Twins Game.

Endured serious freakin' heat, for the great North. Life without an air conditioner... uhggrrggghh.

-August-

Returned to the Atlantic Ocean, swam in it for the first time in four freakin' years, thank God. 

-September-

Took about a billion naps with the Maymicat.

 

Oh, and created homemade sushi, wee!

-October-

Welcomed autumn to Duluth...

And into the apartment.

 

Visited the notorious Graffiti Graveyard. (Ah, fond memories of Recyclart...)

Perfected the art of scallop-pan-searing! (Tip: Use butter, not olive oil.)

Manufactured an official Maymi-Suit (and won a costume contest at work!).

-November-

Co-created and subsequently co-consumed a gigantic Thanksgiving feast.

Went to Texas for the first time. For business. For about 60 hours total.

-December-

Bought the Fiat!

Finished writing the book! Face says... squeeeeee!

Welcomed the Christmas season into the apartment.

 

Returned to New Jersey for the holidays. And grew a beard, finally!

Lost the little man in a tide of presents and giftwrap. Thankfully, he was rescued in time for a Christmas morning breakfast of French Toast and bacon.

Attended the little man's first birthday party! Mmmm, cake made of Elmo...

Phew! What a year. Many much things happened, both good and not so good, that were not showcased here. Hey, gotta keep the air of mystery alive somehow. 

So... what's on the docket for 2013? Well, January has already seen a few awesome things. Such as...

• Kicked the New Year off in Jersey - so nice.
• Returned back to Duluth and resumed marathon nap-events with the ladycat (who, by the by, over the course of 2012, lost 2.75 pounds! Way to be!)
• Began new art projects thanks to a totally awesome new art tool gift.
• Gave this beast of a blog a makeover (you likey?).
• Rediscovered and subsequently ate a bunch of perogies.
• Used the word "subsequently" three times in single blog post.
• Counteracted perogie consumption with regular trips to the gym. One New Year's resolution / goal: Get huge, awesome arms. (Then for Christmas 2013, I'm going to give out a bunch of coupon books to relatives, offering my heavy-lifting / jar-opening abilities to those in need. Brilliant. Thinking ahead is the best!)
• Ran simple bulleted list of January events into the ground.

Bye for now!

Oh yeah wait before I go - what's new with you, fine friend?