That's a Wrap...

"Hopefully I can make the best out of 2009 despite it's "oddness"..."

That was a quote from my last blog post of 2008. I had said in that post that it seemed only the even years of my life have been the most interesting. Well 2009 in all it's "oddness" changed that. Boyfriends, hernias, and good times.

What a year... so many great things happened in the last twelve months. I don't think I could have predicted a year ago where I would be today. Not to say the my world is perfect right now but it's certainly a great distance from where it was a year ago. I think about the core things that make up my world - friends, family, work, etc. All of those areas evolved in 2009, some in big ways others in little steps.

The biggest change for me was my career. I don't need to go into much detail as there are at least a couple posts you could read that would bring you up to speed but boy did I snag myself something good! Every week I have a moment where I just feel so lucky to do what I get to do. A lot of people spend a lot of time and money going to school trying to find a path that works for them. While I haven't spent as much time sitting in class like most people my age, I have spent the last 12 years working in industry that has taken very good care of me and that has developed me into someone who is quite successful. My journey has had a few twists and turns but it's got me to a place where I've wanted to be from the very beginning. In 2009 I finally landed the dream job and that's something I never would've thought would happened when the year started out.

Friends. As life plays out the way it does your needs change and your relationships with those close to you either grow stronger or they fade away. I am grateful for the friends I've been able to make since moving to this city nearly 10 years ago. When I got off the plane I only knew one person in this metropolis. As the years rolled by I managed to meet many great people, most of whom I'm still friends with in one way or another. Of course I use the term "friends" loosely but you know what I mean. After my relationship with Blair ended in the spring, I recognized a need for me to change up who I spend the most amount of time with. I have been really close with a core group of friends for the last 4 to 5 years - I love them all dearly but I felt myself getting into this pattern where I wasn't meeting anybody new and to be frank it was getting stale. Nearly all of them have "coupled off" in recent years and it's doesn't really fly when they are more interested in doing dinner parties and movies and all I want to do is go out have a little fun. >>> Enter Daryl. Daryl has been such an influential person in my world this year and he was in my corner throughout this year cheering me on during my various struggles and challenges. He could be the very reason why I feel I like I'm back in the driver's seat in my life. Every weekend we put ourselves out there and we go out and have fun! Ultimately I don't want to end up being alone at 40 and I know that I've got to use what I have now to court whatever it is that is going to make me happy in the long run. There have been a few other new faces this year that have been really positive forces in my world and I look forward to the trouble we will get into in 2010. I'm not in a panic to find Mr. Right, but you have to make choices in your life that will get you the result you are looking for. We have a certain responsibility to ensure that we are making the effort to get what we want.

Family. Being so far away from my family these last 10 years has always created a challenge when it comes to feeling connected to them and being part of their worlds. My life in the big city is very different that what they do in their lives and I know that sometimes we don't always see eye to eye. My Mom and stepdad came out here in the fall this year and it was great. Mom had been out here twice before but I think it's the first time she saw me in my element and understood what my world feels like. I've been back west several times since my move out here but whenever I go home I never really get to show them how much I've grown up or let them see how different I am. I recognize changes in my Mom too - her and I have had to go through some major trials in our lives and every time I see her I feel like she is empowering herself to be more and more free. In other family news my brother and his wife Jenny are having a baby in the spring. My brother and I are always hit and miss, sometimes we connect and other times we just don't. We don't have a lot in common which is primarily the biggest issue but when I got my iMac in November I was impressed with how much he reached out to me to ensure that I was set up with the best tools. It's small steps with him as it will always be but I look forward to visiting them in the summer and meeting my first niece.

Well that about wraps it up for 2009. I'm trying to think of something that I can say about what 2010 will be about. At this point I feel like all my seeds are planted and that I just need to nurture what I have going on and continue to push myself to what ever the next level is. I feel younger than I did when I was in my late 20's and I've got to use this energy to do great things.

I suppose this also a goodbye party for the decade too. With only 3 decades into my life I can't really compare as each one was so different. 10 years ago I was plotting my exit from Calgary and was determined to make something out of my life. I had big dreams then, I still have some big dreams now. I never underestimate the depth of my determination. I just hope that I never forget what it's like to be hungry and hope that I will always be searching to be fed.

Something Fresh to Keep You Warm...

It's been awhile since I've given some shout outs to some hot tracks...

Biggest Gainer - Sade "Solider of Love" It's not out officially anywhere but if you're creative you will find it. It's been nearly a decade since the release of her last record "Lover's Rock". Sade is back and sexy as ever with this new single.

Rihanna's "Rated R"... Hot singles: "Hard", "Wait Your Turn" and "Russian Roulette" to name few. The record is more mellow than "Good Girl, Gone Bad" but is just as sensual and will get people to the floor with the remixes that I'm sure are to follow.

Kaskade & Seamus Haji feat Haley "So Far Away" - This man can do no wrong in my eyes or rather I should say ears. Fresh new track that's a collaboration with Seamus Haji who is best known for his remixes of some of the biggest dance tracks over the last few years.

Timbaland just released his follow up to "Shock Value" which was the biggest selling album in 2007. In "Shock Value 2" he keeps to his formula of mixing todays top pop artists with his hip hop beats. While not as interesting as his first attempt, "Shock Value 2" has got some potential to deliver some major hits well into 2010. His first choice of single should have been "Carry Over" which features his partner in crime Justin Timberlake. Unfortunately it wasn't the first choice and the record has had a slow sales start because the real first single "Morning After Dark" hasn't managed to gain much attention. Time to pop out a better single there Timmy!

David Guetta (you may remember his name from a previous post of mine) teamed up with Lady M to deliver a remix of "Revolver" which is the other new track on the greatest hits compilation "Celebration" M released this fall. The remix is sweet - totally Guetta with the magic of M's vocals. The remix is called "One Love Remix" and is available on hmvdigital.ca starting Dec 15th. Sure to be heard on dance floors everywhere this holiday season.

Last but not least Rosanne Cash "The List". It's an album full of covers which is always an interesting listen as you never know how an artist will interpret a song, especially more well known ones such as Patsy Cline's "She's Got You". It's a great record for a Sunday afternoon, something to put on while you cozy up with your favourite book on the sofa.

Tis The Season...

So it's been awhile since my last post - actually it's only been just over 6 weeks but it feels longer. I feel like I've been neglecting to tell you all that's been going on in my world. Not that my world is so important that you couldn't live 6 weeks without me giving you an update but you know...

As per my last post, it is true I am typing this out on my new iMac. It's such a great addition to my life. I went for my first "workshop" today at the Apple store. I signed up for the One to One service so I have a year of classes that I can go to where I can learn about all the wonderful things my little buddy can do. Today was about video editing with iMovie. I don't really shoot movies with my camera but I think I am going to start being that I know how play around with them now and make them cool. The class made me realize that I probably need a better camera, one that can shoot HD but it's not something high on my priorities. I have more workshops to attend in the next two weeks, hopefully I can remember everything I'm being shown. They always make it look so easy.

I met a boy about 6 weeks ago. We are in two different places so it's been an interesting experience thus far. Initially I threw myself into it full swing even though I didn't mean to. I wish I wouldn't wear my heart on my sleeve so much and actually breathe from time to time. Needless to say I ended up being disappointed when it turned out that he wasn't all that eager to make it into anything serious. I still see him from time to time and our text messages are still almost daily. I think I am wasting my time to be honest. Me from 5 years ago would have kicked his ass to the curb and been onto my next adventure but some sadistic part me seems to be holding on to this one.

Work is awesome. I love my job - I really do. It's that time of year when it gets all crazy and there's so much energy in the air. It's been a snowless season thus far so it really doesn't feel like Christmas just yet but I know the time is coming.

Well there you have it - a quick little snapshot into what's going on. The weekends for the rest of the month are full of parties and good times. Who knows what the next 4 weeks has in store but I know that it's going to be great!