She seemed so confident back then...

Wow. 2012. Do you remember in grade school, when the year would change, you’d write the old year on every assignment for a few weeks? Almost just did that. It just didn’t feel real until it was in writing.

I am oh, so glad that 2011’s over. This year is going to be oh, so much better than the last because blah fracking blah. Here’s the truth, kids. 2011 didn’t cause your problems. Neither did 2010, 2009, 2008, and so on. Every year around this time, people begin discussing how they are oh, so ready to be done with the year before because it sucked. Then they list approximately five bad things that happened to them that year…just like they did the year before that. Like, what? You expect that nothing bad is going to happen to you this year? I am sincerely sorry that you lost your grandma/gained 50 pounds/lost your job/broke up with your deadbeat boyfriend/stopped talking to one of your friends. Truly, I am. But let’s be a little more realistic this year. Maybe taking responsibility for your own actions should be your main resolution this year. 

Honestly, I am an optimistic person. I believe in new beginnings. I like to make resolutions (even if I’m not great at the follow-through). But I also believe in personal responsibility. Want this year to be better than last year? Good. I like your attitude. Go out and make it better. Or don’t. It is entirely up to you. But, when December 31st rolls around (well if it does…rumor has it the world is ending or something), I don’t want to hear you crying about 2012 and all of the “bad” things that it brought. Got it? Good. Good talk.

• Enchanted- Taylor Swift
   ”This night is flawless. Don’t you let it go. I’m wonder-struck, blushing all the way home…”
  I bought T-Swizzle’s third studio album, Speak Now, when it dropped in October of 2010 and, while I do think it was her best, I just didn’t listen to it as obsessively as I did with Fearless and, as a result, was not as well-versed in the songs on it when I saw her in July of this year. While Enchanted was not my favorite performance of the night (that honor went to Haunted), or even my second favorite (Long Live), it definitely made an impact. When she dropped her perfume, titled Wonderstruck, I began overplaying the song like nobody’s business, and it has remained a strong contender for my iTunes most-played, even surviving the Sixer’s newest release. You go Tay.
• Colder Weather- Zac Brown Band
   “He said, ‘I wanna see you again. But I’m stuck in colder weather. Maybe tomorrow will be better. Can I call you then?’”
  It was a Zac Brown kinda summer. Between their anthemic breakout Chicken Fried, reggae-infused toe-tapper Toes, inspirational ballad Free, and then-new release Knee Deep, featuring none other than Jimmy Buffett, ZBB got tons of air time this past year. But even with all of their hits, new and old, nothing they’ve ever done could strike me the way that Colder Weather did. 
• Gonna be Alright- The Vig
  “Looking hard for my way to you, but all I found was myself. So here I am, just as lost as when I began. I’m gonna be alright.”
  Despite being a longtime fan of SK6ers’ adorkable guitarist, Sam Getz, I had never become too engrossed in his country/folk band The Vig, until this past year. When I finally got around to downloading their 2010 album Around and Around and So On, I instantly fell in love with this track. There’s a certain honesty to the story and Sam’s vocals play perfectly into theme.
• Maybe It’s Over- Jon Mclaughlin feat. Xenia
   ”Maybe it’s over, but I don’t feel it. If we want it forever, baby, we’ve got to steal it.”
  I am a serious fan of NBC’s The Voice. And I was wholly impressed when I first heard 16-year old Xenia’s jazzy alto during the show’s first episode. When I found out that she had done a duet with Jon McLaughlin, co-headliner on the Sixers’ fall tour, I was pretty excited. And I was not disappointed. Looking for two voices that blend perfectly? I’ve got them for you.
• Never Gonna Leave This Bed- Maroon 5
   ”Wake you up in the middle of the night to say, ‘I will never walk away again.’ I’m never gonna leave this bed.”
  The music is beautiful, the words are beautiful, and Adam Levine is beautiful. Trifecta.
• My Favorite Place- Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers
  “This is my favorite place, my worry slips away. I could stay here for days and days and days and days and days…”
   If you cant relate to this song, you don’t have a soul. Seriously. I could listen to this song on repeat for days and days and days and days and days.

Good morning people of tumblr. How is everyone today? Great? Great.

I’m afraid I’m not faring quite as well. Aside from feeling like crap and having a pounding headache, it is my last day as a nanny for Miss Juliet. It’s absolutely heartbreaking. I mean, I’ve spent approximately 52 hours a week with her for the past 11 months, and now it’s just over. I don’t even want to think about it!

 In other news, tonight is a reunion for the old overnight crew from the USS Salem. I have such mixed feelings about reunions. It almost feels superficial to be like, “Hey, you are not important enough to keep in touch with, but let’s see each other again to keep up appearances.” But, at the same time, social media has given people this false sense of closeness. Being able to follow someone’s life via computer renders human contact almost useless, so it’s only natural to not bother keeping up. And it can be pretty fun to get a group of people together whom you haven’t seen in quite awhile.

I do intend to write a fab New Year entry tomorrow…but only time will tell if I get to it or not. Guess you’ll have to check back!

Hello, long-lost friends. I guess Operation: Year of the Blog was a bit of a dud, but that doesn’t mean I don’t still love all of my readers (if I have any, that is). Anywho, there are a few important things to discuss today.

First of all, today is the birthday of two of the star players in my upcoming wedding. Ashley, who will be rocking the role of Maid of Honor…and Jason, who has begrudgingly agreed to play the part of the Groom. So, that is to be celebrated.

Also, today is Michael’s last day home before the USMC claims him once again. It has been nothing short of wonderful having him home, and I’m going to miss him quite a bit.

Today is also the “Three Weeks Left To Shop For Christmas” mark. Um, hello there, ensuing panic.

New England will be playing the statistical WORST team in the NFL. Anyone who says that the quarterback is not the most important position on a team, needs to examine the Colts a little more closely. 

And, most importantly (okay, probably not important at all), Cagney’s is hosting their first (since I’ve been a customer) Karaoke night! Get ready, oh patrons of Cagney’s. You ain’t heard nothing yet!

Without further ado, I’ll be getting to my crazy day now. Later, y’all.