Year-End Wrap-Up

Today I'm happy because Travis pulled off another surprise. Pat came up to my desk to tell me that I had a delivery...I go out to the lobby area and there's Travis, with orange/yellow gerbera spider daisies and a Ritter's bear cub sundae, waiting to take me to lunch. Mind you, I had no idea he was taking the day off. He went so far as to wake up with me this morning and get ready to "go to work". He even went so far as to lie in bed last night and allow me to frantically do laundry and clean until 12:30 while in a complete huff that our departure rapidly approached and he had not done a damned thing all night while I was at rehearsal (because he knew he was taking Thursday off and could clean and get us ready all day...but he was determined to surprise me, so he just let me stay pissy and stomp around griping about laundry all night long.)

Sneaky bastard.

Okay, so this will probably be the last post of the year, unless I find an Internet connection in New Mexico between all the skiing and....other....activities that will be taking place.

I promise adorable Christmas pictures upon my return, to be closely followed, I'm sure, by adorable vacation photos.

And now, the Quiz to End All Quizzes (er, this year anyway).

In the beginning of 2005...

Did you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?: No. I had what I thought was a big oopsie.

How old were you?: 25

What was your outlook on the world?: Why is everything around here upside down?

How were you doing at your job?: I was a little distracted...and obviously not doing well enough, as I lost a promotion that I really thought I had locked.

What did you most look forward to?: The opening of Man of La Mancha, having my house back to myself for healing purposes.

Did you make New Year's Resolutions?: I think last year was to be the year of No More Drama.

What was your biggest worry?: How I was going to pay all the bills by myself. And the upcoming surgery.

Who was your best friend?: Jessi Robkin, Mom...Travis was starting to sneak in there too.

What did you do with your spare time?: Theatre, mostly, and hanging out with my friends.

What did you do for fun?: Theatre, mostly, and hanging out with my friends.

In the middle of 2005:

Did you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?: Yes, but we didn't really acknowledge it as such.

Had your outlook on the world changed?: I was a whole lot happier.

What did you spend your summer doing?: Working, theatre, hanging out with my friends. Packing, selling house.

Did you get tan?: I think we went to the beach a couple of times.

Who'd you hang out with, mainly?: Travis.

Did you go visit anywhere?: We took that trip to Georgia.

What was your biggest worry?: Selling the house, paying off the bills, moving. Figuring out whether I was in a viable relationship.

What was the most fun event that happened?: The hang-gliding, getting my braces off (okay, maybe not fun, but awesome), the trip to Georgia.

And as the year drawns to an end...

And how's your relationship status now?: Spectacular.

How old are you?: 26

What major changes have happened since the year began?: Holy wow. The entire Travis cycle...falling in love, moving in together, getting a puppy...moving out to Lake County, losing touch with some folks, making some great new friends, Amber's wedding, having some money in the bank...

Is your life any different from when it started this year?: Oh yeah. Lots more happy tears, lots less unhappy tears.

What thing that happened stands out in your mind?: That night at The Flying Frog in Asheville, and the entire long process that culminated in a confession of love.

How have you changed?: These are starting to seem really redundant. I'm more secure, more confident, happier, calmer, a little more outgoing...

What was the most embarrassing moment?: I can't really think of much of anything. I'm not easily embarassed. That last drunken blitzkrieg with some friends in about May, when I got really sick at TGI Friday's...that was fairly awful. (And no more drinkies for Alyson....like, ever.)

When was your lowest point?: A few days after New Year's, and then again about ten days later. Just when you think you've hit emotional rock-bottom, you always have to take that one last blow before it can get better.

Are you happy with how the year went?: Goodness yes.

What thing would you change if you could?: But I can't. No sense sweating over anything now, is there?

For 2006...

What do you plan to not do that you did this year?: Hold back my feelings for fear of the negative ramifications that could come of it. (But I shouldn't need to.)

Do you think it'll be better than this year?: This year was pretty good....I'd say it'll be at least that good.

Do you think it'll be WORSE than this year?: I certainly hope not.

What do you plan to do next year?: Pretty much stay on track.

What are your pre-New Year's resolutions?: I think I may be done with those. This past year was the first time I've had a major thing in my life (a relationship) with no game plan, no strategy, no clue what was going on, where it was leading, where it would end up...and it worked out better than any situation in my life ever has before. Maybe I should fly by the seat a little more often.

Who are you spending New Year's Eve with?: See also: last New Year's Eve.

And to wrap it up...

What one thing would you like to say as the year is almost done?: I love you. And I can finally say it as much as I want, whenever I want, wherever I want, to whomever I want.