2011 - A year in review

January

Well, the atom bomb fell on my life (explained a little bit here)...

So I cut off all my hair, dyed it bright red, and all my friends took me out dancing.

February

I met JB - who has become one of my best friends. Everyone refers to us as "BESTIES," and the nickname has inspired hundreds of variants between ourselves and our circle of friends.

I stayed overnight in Providence to see Girl Talk with Allison and Joe.

We drank enough vodka to euthanize an army of Russians.

And paid for it appropriately epic hangovers the next day.

March

After six years of slinging merch and having beer spilled on me (part of my duties as band-wife) at Celtic punk rock shows on Saint Patrick's Day, I renounced the holiday this year and pronounced it "Je suis Canadienne!" Day. I spoke in nothing but the few French phrases that I know all day and toasted my Frenchness.

The first reggae night happened. The first of many epic dance offs at The Red Door.

I also packed A LOT of shit.

April

I moved back to New Hampshire, and into "The Dollhouse."

I reconnected with one of my best girl friends from high school.

I went to the Spotlight Awards with my Bestie, and sang karaoke for the first time in about 10 years. I rocked the shit out of "Piece of My Heart" with all of my friends singing the "WHOA, OH, OH'S" in the background.

May

I missed blogging and posted more content to Facebook than I care to admit.

I prepped for my first theatre auditions in about six years, and laughed how ridiculously young I look in my old head shots

June

I spontaneously sing Prince's How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore with my friend Jeremiah at The Chop Shop. This is the first time that I stepped in front of a microphone in 7 years. Jere and I continue to play music together every week from here on out.

I signed on to choreograph Midsummer Night's Dream for Shakespeare in the Park

I started Couch to 5K running program.

I RETURNED TO BLOGGING


July

I had a blast choreographing/performing in Midsummer Night's Dream as Cobweb

I was offered a role in the Rocky Horror Show LIVE

Rehearsed/Performed my ass off for Midsummer/Rocky while doing Couch to 5K.

Hurt my knee - had to put Couch to 5K on pause in the middle of Week 7 (of 9).

August

I became a BLONDE!

Danced my ass off in the Rocky Horror Show LIVE. A cult fan's dream come true! Never have I felt more like a rock star than the dancers' entrance each night during Science Fiction. The crowd screamed their faces off!

(Be warned, the sound quality is terrible - but the dancing is FIERCE)

There's a Light (Someone familiar is front and center - of course they filmed the ONE night that somehow I got stuck rolling through my straddle. Not the most graceful.)

Time Warp

Sweet Transvestite (BA-DOW!)

Rocky closed, I turned 29 (and feelin' fine) and Hurricane Irene hit New Hampshire (all on the same day).

September

Had an epic apple picking/pie bake off adventure with friends.

Started Couch to 5K over again from scratch.

My baby (*sniff* not anymore) niece Cayla got married, and I danced down the aisle with my sister and brother.

October

I attended Megan's bouncy castle birthday party...

And dressed up as Buffy the Vampire Slayer for Halloween.

November

Visited Liam's grave for the first time, surrounded by my bridesmaids.

Completed Couch to 5K (with the support of my sister and friends)! Victory is mine! Lost about 20lbs, three inches off of my waist, and about an inch everywhere else on my body. Feel fucking fantastic.

December

Busy as hell - sang Racing in the Streets w/ CJ at The Chop and he taped it for posterity.

Spent time with family and friends for the holidays, like my adorable nephew Aaron.

Was overwhelmed at the AWESOMENESS of my blog friends - who sent me stuff, and gave me a Christmas as wonderful as I ever had as a child for my first uncoupled Christmas in seven years.

***

This year started off like absolute shit. I had every reason and right to moan and groan and wallow in a stew of a sadness and anger. Instead, 2011 turned out to be a year full of lessons, growth, accomplishments and ultimately JOY. I realized that a) I am pretty badass and b) I am capable of over-coming ANYTHING. Most importantly though, I realized that my friends and family are even more amazing than I already knew them to be. My life turned upside down this year, and at the lowest point, I felt as if everything I had ever known had been taken away from me. After that point is when I began to feel the support of one hundred plus pairs of hands slowly pushing, nudging and guiding me back up to my feet. The support of my tremendous network of friends and family gave me the perspective to realize that when one has lost so much, there is only so much more to gain.

And gain I did.

I hope that you and yours have a safe and delightful New Years!