2009 ended with nice wine, party crashing, face painting, cape wearing, fast cars, fireworks and perhaps a little howling at the blue moon. It was a lot of fun. So much fun that only now, on January 2nd, am I getting around to finishing the last 2 Best of 2009 posts.
After this, I may take a wee break from blogging. Or I may not be able to stay away from the regular writing that has been so ingrained this past month, who knows? One thing I’ve learnt during this challenge is to be less precious about what goes up here and as a result, the process has become easier. I mean, I finished the challenge, right?
Or, I will. Right after this -
Best advertisement
Advertisements don’t usually make me think happy thoughts. About the products I’m expected to buy or the kind of woman I’m expected to be by advertisers. Since I didn’t spend 2009 wishing for small pink household appliances or time-saving ways to clean the bathroom while dressed in smart business casual attire (because, apparently, the men in my life will be far too inept to ever do household chores), I found myself feeling alternately bemused, insulted and frustrated by a lot of commercial advertising.
So, that’s why I love Sarah Haskins and her Target: Women clips for Infomania. I’m forever emailing them to friends who, like me, could never figure out why there’s no men in yoghurt commercials (Psst! It’s because men aren’t allowed to eat it!).
Here’s a favourite clip from this year:
Resolution you wish you’d stuck with
Every year, in early January, I write a list of things I’d like to learn to do over the next 12 months. The list is usually pretty short and just a prompt to keep me trying new stuff, rather than rock-solid directives. It includes things like, “Engage in more random conversation with strangers” or “Learn a new style of dance”. I keep another list running alongside it during the year, of all the things I’ve accomplished, whether on the list or not. By the end of the year, I end up with a list of achievements I can feel proud of, plus a few unfinished tasks to carry onto the next list.
Next year will continue on with the theme of transport – while I got my learner’s permit for driving and started experimenting with bicycle-riding, I haven’t fully mastered either. There will hopefully be more overseas and interstate travel and a fair amount of language study. And, as always, there will be dancing.
But the main resolution to carry over into this year is this - to lighten my grip.
This isn’t a reference to my steady progression into madness, but just a little less attachment to the way things are. I’ve learnt a lot about impermanence this year and I think it’s made me a nicer person to be around. I’m finally beginning to understand that the tighter you hold onto something, the harder it is to appreciate.
In 2010, I’d like to continue on being more present, more relaxed and more willing to go with the flow.
And with that I’m off to be relaxed and with the flow. On my bed. With a magazine.
Happy 2010 everyone!
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