It’s been a busy year, and I’ve barely blogged a thing. Sorry
about that. I’ll do better in 2019.
I’m glad I keep my jar of happy memories next to my bed to remind
me of all the good things that happened this year. Sometimes with everything
that was happening in the world, it was challenging to remember that everything
doesn’t suck all the time. So many good things happened that I had to do more
than a top five list:
Top 5 Events
1. Non-Binary Birth
Certificate: I am officially legally non-binary!
I had my California birth certificate corrected and re-issued, so now it states
that I’m non-binary. For now, I can’t get a non-binary driver’s license in Arizona,
but I’m working on it. I hope to influence the State to pass a bill that will
allow non-binary birth certificates and driver’s licenses next session. Having
a non-binary birth certificate also makes me want to go to states that have passed
“bathroom bills†and ask where my restroom is.
2. First Marathon and
Triathlon: I finished a marathon this past January. By Mile 20, I was
hurting but also planning for my next race (which will be in February 2019). During
the off season, I had Coach David add biking and swimming to my workouts for
cross training. A few months later I signed up for my first sprint triathlon –
just to see if I liked it. Less than 100 yards into the swim I thought, “Yeah,
I like this.â€
3. Christopher Creek
Lodge Vacation: I shipped Rosie and myself away from society for a few days
to stay at a cabin with bad wi-fi.
We spent a lot of time reading, watching nature, rejuvenating, and getting my
creative energy flowing again. It was what I needed.
4. Open Water Swim
with the Jewish Swim Club: When I started swimming this year, Coach David
asked, “What’s the goal?†I responded that I wanted to hold my own “with the
Jews.†(Note: When I started my swim workouts in April, the furthest I could
swim the first day was 75 yards.) During the summer, David and his friends swim
in the ocean off Brighton Beach, sometimes a mile or more.
By the end of June David asked when I was coming to visit. I
did a whirlwind trip, flying across the country on Thursday, to go swimming at
7am on Friday, and be back home in less than 24 hours. It was an awesome trip,
including the swim. This was my first real open water swim, and I had a bit of
a panic attack at the start. Once I realized I would never find my cadence in the
waves, I was fine.
5. I Became an Oggy:
A few months ago, my sister had a baby. (I
can’t wait to meet the little human.) If they don’t post photos of the little
one for seven days, I send my sister and brother-in-law an email that says, “Send
proof of infant.â€
I had to figure out what I am to my nibling (collective term
for niece/nephew). There is no gender-neutral term for aunt/uncle. I adopted a
term from another non-binary person: “Oggy†(rhymes with “doggyâ€). I like being
“Oggy Ruth.â€
Honorable Mentions
Seeing Dan Savage Live:
If you ever get the chance to see him speak, go.
Blind Rosie:
Rosie went blind a few weeks ago, and we had to remove her other eye. She was
in surgery a few hours after waking up blind that day. When I brought her home,
she was bit freaked out by the protective cone she had to wear, and she refused
to walk. My neighbors, Sarah and Thomas, came to my rescue and helped carry
Rosie into the house when we got home. Since then, we’ve both adjusted to blind
basset life. She’s such a trooper.
Rescue Dogs at CMWorld:
Last year at Content Marketing
World, I asked for rescue dogs in the expo hall. (Everyone loves dogs,
right?) This year, they made it happen! One of the happy hours was “Yappy Hourâ€
where, for a donation, we got to pet adoptable dogs from City Dogs Cleveland. I hope it becomes a
standard part of the event.
Skateboarding:
Last year, the crew at Content Marketing World bought me a penny skateboard.
This year, I learned how to ride it – with lessons, pads, and the whole she-bang.
I also bought a proper board. I love riding my board. When I’m skateboarding, I
literally can’t think about anything else, otherwise the risk of falling is too
great. I’ll tell you the whole story next year.
Firsts in 2018
Fostered a dog for a week – and learned that Rosie’s meant to be an only child.
Peleton class – at the flagship studio
Ebay listing – sold my BarBri books
Rubber bands on my Invisalign trays
SlotZilla
Zip Line
Settlement conference
Deposition
Garmin watch
Amazon affiliate link
Seeing Chicago’s Second City perform
Visit to Bart Simpson Bust
Being told I look like a young Richard Gere by the clerk at JJ Hat Center
Swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, Lake Erie, and Tempe Town
Lake (Yes, I was up-to-date on my tetanus shot. No, I didn’t get super powers.)
Events: Intelligent Content Conference, American Alliance of
Museums conference
Attempts
to be a Better Human (affiliate link): Reusable produce bags and jars, Bringing
my own container to the store for Rosie’s chicken, Zero waste deodorant, Bamboo
toothbrush, Menstrual cup
Foods: Making beans from dried, vegan pancakes, Daiya
Cheddar Style Cheezy Mac (not bad), Lenny
& Larry’s The Complete Cookie – Chocolate Chip (not worth it), overnight oats,
Just Desserts vegan chocolate
midnight cupcake (delicious but soooo sweet), chia seed pudding (meh), Café Indigo vegan carrot cake (yum)
Celebrity Sightings
Margaret Cho
Elizabeth Smart
Dan Savage
Tina Fey
In Memoriam
Stephen Hawking
Harry Anderson
Larry Dolan
Kate Spade
Anthony Bourdain
Aretha Franklin
Elena Shushunova
John McCain
Mary Sigler
Burt Reynolds
Jay Bottomlee
Stan Lee
Penny Marshall