January: Superlatives and changes

“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.”

-Zora Neale Hurston

I believe that 2019 is a year for answers. Life is changing, as it always does, but these shifts feel a bit more seismic, weightier, life-defining. If one holds to the theory of convergence, in that good things coincide with bad things then this year is shaped from a merging of various threads, some serendipitous, some foreboding. A sense of inevitability pervades the edges of my vision, just how well and effectively I’m able to navigate it all will be my measure of success and meaning in this year and in those to come.

Best moments:

Meeting up with my tribe, the Cleveland Indians, at Tribe Fest 2019- the day ran smoothly and the players were gracious, fun and welcoming. One cool highlight was meeting my favorite pitcher and spirited ace, Cookie Carrasco. I cropped my teen niece right out of this photo because hanging with Cookie was my personal fan moment (also I have a heart of stone). Plus, I tend to look twelve-years-old when I wear a ball cap, you know I’m posting any photo that captures that look, no matter how cheesy said photo may be.

Bloodiest: The books I read in January. Blood, Water, Paint by Joy McCullough shattered my notion of what a young adult book could be and shredded my heart and emotions, but carefully stitched them back together with a stronger cord. Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe #2) by Neal Shusterman, took lethal to a new level, introducing plot threads and escalating outcomes in the most insane manner. I loved them both, reviews to come.

Coziest: As a wax melter, it’s a rarity for me to choose the same vendor consistently. I bounce around and crave variety, which is why I’m surprised to be nearly finished with 5 bags of That Smell Good Shop‘s scents featured in my Nov./Dec. posts. The smokey marshmallows, warm coffee and cornbread and spicy fragrances have cozy-fied my home for a straight month. That’s the best testimony I can give to the somewhat underrated vendor.

Most repeated: album: Brandi Carlile’s By The Way, I Forgive You (2018). It’s raw folk-rock sound, haunting hooks and grittiness appeals to my inner truth seeker and general love for female power anthems.

You tube viewing: The A. V. Club’s A.V. Undercover videos featuring bands playing cover versions from a dwindling list of 25 choices. If you know and watch these performance gems, we are or shall be friends.

Biggest Change: I’ve gotten a new job! I’m still within the same library system, but I’ll be working in an office full-time performing technical services, no longer working with the public for the first time in my adult life. A promotion, increased responsibilities and hours will most certainly affect my blogging output. I’m uncertain exactly how much just yet, as I don’t start the new position for a couple more weeks.

Worst:

Even more than my customers and books, I know I’ll miss my late mornings with this sleepy fella. Pre-work snugs with Johnny, lazy mugfuls of coffee and weekday morning writing sessions won’t be possible with my new schedule, but I’m determined to find a way that works for me.

Most infected: Me (second only to my husband). Since late December and for most of January, we’ve both experienced a vicious respiratory virus and for me, a nasty stomach bug. We seem to have finally leveled off into normal health, but will have to make up some lost holiday fun and togetherness later in February.

Wackiest: Being part of the 80% of the country hit by the polar vortex. Sandwiched between a dumping of 10 inches of snow and an upcoming balmy near 60 degree heatwave ahead, that’s the bananapants winter weather of Norheast Ohio folks.

Resolution:

I shy away from resolution-making for the most part, but, in light of an impending job change, lifestyle shift, additional responsibilities and a few other realistic concerns, I’ve adopted the immortal words defiantly scrawled onto a fridge memo board at 4 a.m. in the cult classic film, Shaun of the Dead: Sort life out! (mate) I’ve taken prickish Pete’s directive to heart and am commencing life sorting. It’s about time also, its not hip-hop, it’s electro.