2004 and all that

[neonlyte]

I've been pretty busy in recent weeks and barely had the time to pop my head into Lit. Since I'm unlikely to be around this side of New Year I wanted to say thanks for the entertainment, philosophy, politics general life comments and... oh yeah, the sex.

So 2004 - how was it for you?

I pretty soon into the year I changed from Wills to Neonlyte, I think that is pretty much out in the open, I'll stay as neonlyte.

Been a roller-coaster year for me. A year of self examination and discovery, I think I've coped fairly well, I have a better idea of who I am now than I had twelve months ago. I guess I'm something of a late starter, I'm 55 - thinking I'm 35 and suddenly woke up to the notion I was mortal. The repercussions shook me to the core, made me seriously question myself and my relationship with those around me. Many of you contributed to threads on mortality, proactive v's reactive outlooks, female traits, and other nebulous subjects that struck me as worth exploring, my thanks to all who contributed.

As for published stories, 8 posted since Easter spanning several catagories, 175000 hits - 630 votes. Surprise does not even come close to describing how I feel about that. I started writing with Nano 2003, hadn't written anything in a story form since High School. Off Lit, I've completed a first draft of a novel, 150k words and roughly 120k spread across two other stories, one of which was reviewed in Story Discussion Group - heart felt thanks to those who waded through my extensive dialogue piece. That will be the main project for 2005.

I had an off board challenge with Gauche for 2004, be interesting to see how we've both fared - I'm hoping to get to the Yorkshire 'shindig' and meet some AH'ers in the flesh - as a manner of speaking.

Personally, off Lit., life is pretty good. Had a fair share of setbacks this year but found a way to draw strength from them. 2005 promises to be better, some good RL projects starting and others coming to fruition.

Lit. highlights for me - CV, Shereads, Cantdog, Tatelou, GreenGem, Doormouse, Pure. Each in their unique way showed me a path. There are many others I could mention but I'm interested in your contributions.

Finally, my sincere thanks for all the support following the murder of my cousin in South Africa. There is one very special person here who went to great lengths to assist me in arranging flowers for the funeral, I'm forever in your debt.

Next few days are particularly busy, I'm involved in a project with the Lisbon City Authorities until the weekend when we fly back to UK, if I can't get back to AH - MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Wills/neonlyte

 

[cantdog]

Never met Wills, of course, so much of this is over the head. Proud to have been of service, however indirectly.

Drop by us when you can.

 

[doormouse]

2004

I lived, I learned, I won't be doing it again.


Merry Christmas.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Best wishes for a Happy Holiday Neon.

Hope 2005 will be a better year for all.

 

[Guest]

Wills, (so glad I can call you that now, out in the open!)

What a wonderful post!

I was going to start up a similar kind of thread in a couple of days - the 17th to be precise. I might still do so, but for now I'll just add here that 2004 has been an incredible year for me.

I can't believe how quickly this year has flown by. A year ago I was a vastly different person - not in essence, but what I knew of myself. So many wonderful people have come into my life, but I'll save the dedications for another time.

I feel very honoured to have helped you in whatever way I have, but isn't that what friends do? And it is a pleasure to call you a friend. I hope you and your wife have a wonderful Christmas together.

All the best for 2005!

Katie-Lou

 

[Liar]

Good thread, Neon.

Happy New to everyone.

2004. Big year.

Made a 90 degree turn professionally, a 180 degree turn socially and a 360 degree turn physically and mentally.

Fell in love, fell out, landed well.

Pushed my event horizon remarkably far away.

Made friends. Made enemies.

Tries currently to push the enemies away and to keep in touch with the friends, but it's an uphill struggle for some strange reason. Friends from the AH who is affected you know who you are. I still love you all, even if I don't say hi every day.

Wore a kilt. (sorry, no pics)

Fell off a horse. (no pics either)

#L

 

[Guest]

2004
rollercoaster ride.

began the year alone and with the prospect of a bleak future. was caring for bed ridden mother for most the year. joined lit in march and that opened the door to a new life for me.
fell hopelessly in love.
watched my children grow...im so in awe.
watched my mother decline
started another career change... fruitless ambition.
im trying still and maybe one day, itll pay off.
keeping optimistic
realized that life will be what i make it
held my mothers hand while she died... her last words were, "make me proud"
damn heavy stuff. the sting of her passing still hurts.
so, as this year closes, im really looking forward to next year.
i will be happy, thats my goal.

 

[impressive]

Nice thread, neon/wills. Hope to get to know you better in the coming year.

Wow. I can't even remember the early part of the year. Something must've happened, but fuck if I know what it was.

Awesome trip to Costa Rica in April (which served as the inspiration for a story).

Continued on my journey to health -- staved off diabetes for a while longer, maintained 70# weight loss, got in better shape, developed greater confidence in my appearance, stayed (mostly) out of the pits of depression.

Learned a lot about love and friendship. Made some new friends here.

Wrote a lot of smut -- and hopefully, improved. Discovered that poetry, of all things, lurked inside me. Who'd've thunk it?

Won a pretty big award in July for volunteer work. Got a "trophy" that would make an awesome murder weapon, but no cash.

For 2005? Who knows?

Best to all,

 

[SensualCealy]

Compared to some of you my life this year has been rather boring.
I guess the biggest highlight as been seeing my kids mature and take on things that 'they chose' to be interested in.

In the spring my daughter came in second place in an airband competition at school. She over came an obstical with a group of girls and took it upon herself to go it alone. She was awesome!!
The airband gave her the courage to try out for a highschool performance (she is only in gr6) that needed younger kids, got one of those parts too and did a fine job as a 'River City Kid' in the Music Man.

In May my son had the opportunity thrown at him to assist a student that was new to Canada. The class was asked if anyone spoke Chinese, my son raised his hand knowing a few important words like Hello, I love you, aunt, uncle, grandma, and grandpa and some counting. The teacher was amazed that my son knew some of the language and let him be in charge of the young man getting aquainted in school. Day in and day out he struggled showing him things and saying them in english until Evan was able to repeat in very good english. A dictionairy I bought years ago when my sister in law came into the family finally came in handy. Not only was John learning Cantonese ( his aunt is Manderine) but Evan had a note book full of English words he could identify. At the year end assembly when kids are recognised for their efforts Johns teacher pointed out his great work with Evan by telling the whole school that the ESL Teacher had commended John and that their own teacher could not have finished the year without him.

Not only that but my boy got his first job, loves it and works hard at it.

Makes you feel proud as a parent to see your kids eagar to take on challenges without being pushed to try.

As a mom I sit back and watch them wear down their own path in life.

Me, same job, content with hubby and our life together, want more education wise but that will have to wait until Im back at work when we open and I start getting pay cheques again! lol

Wishing everyone a happy holiday and a blessed New year!
Thanks to all my friends here for letting me come and excape every day.

2005 Here I come!
cealy

 

[shereads]

You make the passage of time sound like something that might be used for personal growth and introspection

Stop that.

 

[scheherazade_79]

2004... At the end of 2003 I didn't believe that things could get much tougher. But they did. And I'm still here to tell the tale.

What I've learned this year is this:

However strong you think you are, multiply it by a million, and that's how strong you really are.

2005's going to be different. I'm not waiting around for miracles any more. I'm going out there and getting what I want.

 

[cloudy]

2004 - an odd year for me...

I started the year resigned to the fact that it just wasn't in the cards for me to be happy. Now, I'm not so sure that's the case, thank goodness.

I started writing again, after not having written a thing besides journal entries and letters since high school, and rediscovered my joy in creating something. My mother was the one that urged me to pick it up again, although she has no idea exactly what I've been writing. Somehow, though, I don't think she would freak out about it.

I found a man I love, and that's worth all the pain in the past. And, I'm now able to face the future with anticipation, instead of dread.

Like Sheherazade, I've found that I'm much stronger than I ever knew, and know that whatever comes, I can deal with.

My daughter graduated from college in June - she's made me proud. My two sons are doing well, and are happy, and that's exactly what matters.

I've made some wonderful friends here, and I don't know what I would do without you all. You've been my inspiration, and have propped me up when I badly needed it.

Not a bad year, all in all.

 

[Guest]

Fell in love, fell out, landed well.

Wonderful line, Liar.

Perdita


(Had a good 2004, intend to do as well, or better, in 2005)