2017 has been the year of self realization. I feel like I've been able to better name things that have happened, describe feelings I've had, and understand why I've been discontent when I am. I've found with better being able to describe the feelings I have, the better I've been at being calm about them. There is just something about being able to put a name to a feeling or situation that makes it less scary.
I also decided to go back to school. This time I'm learning about accounting and real estate. I you had told me at the beginning of the year that I was going to want to learn about accounting and real estate, I would have laughed at you. It's funny that every year I seem to be doing something completely different than what I expected. This coming year, I think I will try to have no expectations and just go along for the ride.
There were some real twists and turns this year. Here are some of the highlights.
I think traveling is going to be a highlight every year. We were able to see many amazing places this year. Places like the Pinnacles, Hawaii, the Northern California Coast, Kentucky, the Smoky Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway, Nashville, Tucson, the Oregon Caves, the Channel Islands, Morro Bay, and Kentucky a second time for my sister-in-law's wedding.
Saguaro National Park
There's no pictures of this, but I taught the little boy next door how to knit before he moved away.
I learned how to weave and embroider.
I am now a part-time shark.
Goals for 2017:
1. Make a google map to share that has the locations of where I've found my travel patches. I've occasionally been asked where I've found various patches and I've noticed that the information for finding them, let alone knowing that a place has them, is sparse. I'd like to help change that.
Status: Complete. I made up
the map and have been continuing to update it with each new patch.
2. Make a quilt to display all the patches. The plan is to embroider the United States, then place the patches around the outside of the embroidery. I'm still working out some details, but I bought a map from
Haptic Labs, got my fabric, and have bought a few books on embroidery to help move me forward.
Status: In the process. My aunt helped me get the quilt sandwiched together and I've embroidered a large amount of the United States. There is still a lot of embroidering to go.
3. Go to one National Park I haven't been to yet. I think that we might manage more than one, but I'd like to see at least one this year.
Status: Complete. I need up seeing 5 new-to-me national parks: Haleakala, Volcanos, Mammoth Caves, Smoky Mountains, and Channel Islands. I didn't know I'd get so lucky this year.
4. Knit a sweater out of stash. I haven't knit a sweater in two years. I think it is about time to change that. I also have a habit of buying new yarn for sweaters because I "have plans" for all of my stash yarn. It's time to just knit with it. I can replace it if I need to.
Complete: I knit three sweaters this year! Of course only one of them was out of stash...
5. It seems like an annual tradition, but I'm going to keep it on the list until it is done: put up the comic site. Connor and my father have sorted out the complicated calendar that I wanted and the site is largely put together. I just have the intimidating job of scanning and formatting all the comics. Although, the most intimidating part is getting over the feeling that the comics aren't "good enough". I keep thinking that the writing could be neater and the comics could be cleaner, but if they are ever to be put up, they will have to remain as they are.
Status: Complete.
The site is up and updating daily. Behind the scenes, the comics from from July of 2015 to May of 2017 have been edited and are scheduled to be posted. That's a lot of comics! There are still a bunch to go and my resolve is much lower. I'm going to try to keep going even though this project has pooped me out.
Goals for 2018:
1. Even though I'm making good progress, the United States quilt is a big job. I'd like to make a goal of having the embroidery in it finished this year. I'll consider it a bonus if I can get the patches on too.
2. Connor and I would like to buy a house this year. I'm not sure where that house will end up being, but hopefully the real estate classes I'm taking will help us in making that decision.
3. I've realized that I find most of my validation in the praise I get for what I do. It's become clear how unhealthy that is for me. I'd like to be able to find healthier ways to feel validated that aren't so heavily based in comments and "likes." (I don't know what that will look like yet)
4. Visit a new-to-me state. There's a chance I might be seeing Louisiana, Virginia, and/or Texas this year. I hope at least one works out.
5. Submit the Audry Without An E comic for an Ignatz award. I think it could be eligible for the Outstanding Online Comic Award. I don't think there is a chance I'd win, but it's hard to win at anything if you don't put yourself in the race.
This years list is the 9th one I've written. I don't think I ever thought I'd be blogging this long. When I started, blogging was the thing to do; it was a great way to be a part of a community. Now it seems like many people have quit blogging and the community has been fractured by the many social platforms that exist. Sometimes it feels rather lonely, so I'm not sure how much longer I'll be at it. But, it's still been fun to see how each year changes.
For those who would like to see what other years have been like, here are past post links:
2010,
2011,
2012,
2013,
2014,
2015,
2016,
2017.
