Year in Review 2006
Jan. 1st, 2007 07:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
krowfaceOk... here we go, my attempt at a 'year in review' post. I'm sure everyone is sick of seeing them all over the place on their friend's page, but this one is *mine* so if anything, at least it'll be interesting. Well, not interesting, but at least amusing. Slightly. At the *very* least, it'll be typed. With paragraph formating. Maybe some bulleted lists if you're lucky. Regardless, I'll try to make it quick and painless, but I'm not making any goddamned promises.
Chapter I: Arizona
Professionally:
I became a resident of Tombstone, AZ. Got a job at Spangenberg's, one of the oldest gunshops in the country. I became really good friends with some of the more notable people in town, and I was even offered a part in the daily "Shoot Out at the O.K. Corral" recreation. I became their webmaster, I put their site up.
I started working the Arizona Renne Faire as a push-monkey for the second year in a row.
I went back on the road, decided to become a rock star, and was a wild success at it.
Relationships:
I broke up with a girl I was dating for about 3 and a half years, because she didn't treat me as well as I deserved. She responded turning into a 16 year old. You know, by going into my car, without my permission, and taking things that weren't hers. Treating me with disrespect. Lying to everyone around her, including me. Whoring it up, turning into an alcoholic. Things that made me decide I couldn't be friends with her, that sort of nonsense.
Ended up getting involved with a hard-drinking lesbian named Erin.
Was told I was an amazing lay, and great boyfriend material.
Had a skeleton dragged out of my closet, involving something I did as a 'bad boyfriend' in NJ.
Personally:
I accepted the fact that I'm an aging punk-rocker.
I became a the proud owner of a Single Action .45 revolver.
Artistically:
Decided to stop fucking around with my art career.
Started working on the layouts for my books.
Chapter II: Texas
Professionally:
Was rehired as a leather-crafter for a company that had already fired me twice, because the owner was/is a lunatic.
Relationships:
People got to learn who and what I was as an individual, and not part of a couple. Developed an excellent reputation as a stand-up individual who is both honest, brave, and compassionate.
Found out that my ex had cheated on me *again*. Found out she also let herself into my apartment in AZ through a window she broke, and took things from inside. Found out she wanted me to be a husband and a father, even though she didn't deserve nor earn it. Watched as she lied to everyone around her. Tried to patch things up and become her friend regardless, it failed because I watched her lie to a friend of mine who was madly in love with her. It ended with me realized how much of a fuck-up she was, and she ended up with a REALLY bad haircut.
The relationship I started with Erin takes a downward spiral as her heavy drinking and my refusal to be her boyfriend makes her develop some serious anger issues.
Met *another* hard-drinking lesbian named Erin, and we fell madly in love with each other, because we got to know each other without any ulterior motives, but things got in the way.
Became very close to a small circle of people, the majority of which I still care deeply about.
Personally:
Came to realize I *am* a good person, even if I am also a beautiful monster at the same time.
I'm also REAL funny when I'm on hallucinogens, and I'm quite the romantic when I want to be.
Got a new tattoo... a poisonous heart on the back of my left hand.
Artistically:
Nothing, except for a little bit of sketching, photography, and random acts of weirdness.
Chapter III: Colorado
Professionally:
The show started pretty rough, barely survived it, but hey, thank god for food banks.
Relationships:
My good reputation created opportunities to enjoy the company of a few beautiful women. Because very close friends with one of them, whom today I still consider one of the best lovers I've ever had. One of them became my beautiful and adoring wife.
Started noticing odd things happening, as some people weren't being honest with each other. I started to get pushed away from one circle of friends as I became closer to another circle.
Did an excellent job of avoiding my ex as she stalked me from show to show. Basically ignored the bitch for the majority of the time, except when she tried to be clever and weasle her way into my social circles. Found out she actually cheated on me a *third* time, a full year before I had done the same to her. She was able to keep it a secret for a very long time. Lied about it to me in AZ and TX. Funny thing about her lies, I find out eventually... always.
I got married in a very informal and beautiful ceremony, spent the honeymoon in a hospital, fearing that my wife was going to die.
Personally:
Became very well of the dynamics of the people around me. My potential to be a great husband was realized.
Artistically:
With the struggles around me, there was not much to be done.
Chapter IV: Maryland
Professionally:
Became entangled in the nonsense of a leathercrafting company I worked for. Started paving the way for future business. Made really good money, not quite enough to make up for what little I made the past few shows. Was hired to create a website for a dancer in NJ.
Relationships:
Created some more beautiful relationships. Continued the trend of being a cocksmith. Had some great times. Didn't get to spend any real time with my new wife, but the time I had with her was wonderful. I became incredibly close with my co-workers. I now have some very, VERY amazing friends. Not many, but the ones I have are almost too good to be true.
Gave the ex another chance, this time I believed her when she told me she was going to change, and she was going to be the good person I believed she was going to be. Started talking and spending a lot of time together. She started telling people she was going to make mer her husband by next year.
Personally:
Got a new car.
Learned that I like to make dumb mistakes sometimes. Learned just how awesome my wife is.
Learned how to forgive. Learned how to keep my eyes open.
Artistically:
Published the first 3 books of 'Distance Til Empty'. My camera died, but I got it fixed.
Chapter V: Louisianna
Professionally:
Another great year in LA, working for a different leather company. This one stable and successful. All and around a good fucking ending to a rocky year.
Relationships:
Finally got to spend all the time I wanted with my wife, both privately and socially. Solidified some wonderful relationships. Developed a great circle of friends. Strengthened previous ones, created new ones.
Watched as I saw my idiot ex become a serious social embarassment. Every time she opened her mouth, she either regurgitated jokes of mine, used the victim card to become an attention whore, or flat out lies about the things she's done. Found out more of the shit she pulled behind my back. Watched as she burned bridges and became a social pariah. Saw as more and more people realized how much of an untrustworthy whore she had become after I dumped her. Watched as she nearly got into a fist-fight with another woman, and watched as she was almost banned from the bar we all hung out at. Watched as she ran out of friends and became desperate enough to start up friendships with people she told me for years she despised. Basically watched her become a miserable wretch, and I took great joy in it.
Learned a very close friend of mine was thrown in jail. Learned another close friend of mine was stricken with cancer. Was barred from going home in NJ for christmas. Found out I could not go back to AZ this year due to a horrible tourist season. The year, for me, ended in a huge shit-storm. I'm still hurting, but I'll heal, I always do.
Personally:
Learned to pay great attention to everyone around me. Even perfected my ability to read lips across an open fire. Called people on their bullshit, was brutally honest about my dealings with others, and was rewarded occasionally for it. Played hard, worked even harder. Learned to give up on a lost cause. Learned to focus on what matters.
Artistically:
Was handed a wad of cash for art I did last year, did more work, found more distributors. Killed my camera. Oops.
Chapter VI: Here and Now
Professionally:
Taking a long vacation from everything before going up to NC in a few weeks to do leather-working and more website designing. I stand to make a shit-ton of money, just in time for the AZ show.
Relationships:
My wife and I are a regular Ozzie and Harriet. We take very good care of each other. We get each other nice things, we do wonderful things for each other. We even cook and clean side by side, like the nice and healthy couple we are. Then again, we've been through so much, we've earned it. My brother loves every minute we spend together, and his fiance is happy to have a girl around.
Personally:
This is my time now. Enjoying my undistracted time with my wife and my brother. I've got my foot on the gas for everything I want to accomplish this year.
Artistically:
Published two more volumes of 'DTE'. The last two should be published in a matter of a week or so. Also, I'm going to go ahead and try out the ACEO/ATC scene. Looks promising. Also, I'll be finishing up my art for those two distributors.
There ya go. A whole lot of stuff, cleanly and clearly organized. You guys probably just pulled a 'tl;dr' and skipped over all of it, so whatever. eat shit.
Chapter I: Arizona
Professionally:
I became a resident of Tombstone, AZ. Got a job at Spangenberg's, one of the oldest gunshops in the country. I became really good friends with some of the more notable people in town, and I was even offered a part in the daily "Shoot Out at the O.K. Corral" recreation. I became their webmaster, I put their site up.
I started working the Arizona Renne Faire as a push-monkey for the second year in a row.
I went back on the road, decided to become a rock star, and was a wild success at it.
Relationships:
I broke up with a girl I was dating for about 3 and a half years, because she didn't treat me as well as I deserved. She responded turning into a 16 year old. You know, by going into my car, without my permission, and taking things that weren't hers. Treating me with disrespect. Lying to everyone around her, including me. Whoring it up, turning into an alcoholic. Things that made me decide I couldn't be friends with her, that sort of nonsense.
Ended up getting involved with a hard-drinking lesbian named Erin.
Was told I was an amazing lay, and great boyfriend material.
Had a skeleton dragged out of my closet, involving something I did as a 'bad boyfriend' in NJ.
Personally:
I accepted the fact that I'm an aging punk-rocker.
I became a the proud owner of a Single Action .45 revolver.
Artistically:
Decided to stop fucking around with my art career.
Started working on the layouts for my books.
Chapter II: Texas
Professionally:
Was rehired as a leather-crafter for a company that had already fired me twice, because the owner was/is a lunatic.
Relationships:
People got to learn who and what I was as an individual, and not part of a couple. Developed an excellent reputation as a stand-up individual who is both honest, brave, and compassionate.
Found out that my ex had cheated on me *again*. Found out she also let herself into my apartment in AZ through a window she broke, and took things from inside. Found out she wanted me to be a husband and a father, even though she didn't deserve nor earn it. Watched as she lied to everyone around her. Tried to patch things up and become her friend regardless, it failed because I watched her lie to a friend of mine who was madly in love with her. It ended with me realized how much of a fuck-up she was, and she ended up with a REALLY bad haircut.
The relationship I started with Erin takes a downward spiral as her heavy drinking and my refusal to be her boyfriend makes her develop some serious anger issues.
Met *another* hard-drinking lesbian named Erin, and we fell madly in love with each other, because we got to know each other without any ulterior motives, but things got in the way.
Became very close to a small circle of people, the majority of which I still care deeply about.
Personally:
Came to realize I *am* a good person, even if I am also a beautiful monster at the same time.
I'm also REAL funny when I'm on hallucinogens, and I'm quite the romantic when I want to be.
Got a new tattoo... a poisonous heart on the back of my left hand.
Artistically:
Nothing, except for a little bit of sketching, photography, and random acts of weirdness.
Chapter III: Colorado
Professionally:
The show started pretty rough, barely survived it, but hey, thank god for food banks.
Relationships:
My good reputation created opportunities to enjoy the company of a few beautiful women. Because very close friends with one of them, whom today I still consider one of the best lovers I've ever had. One of them became my beautiful and adoring wife.
Started noticing odd things happening, as some people weren't being honest with each other. I started to get pushed away from one circle of friends as I became closer to another circle.
Did an excellent job of avoiding my ex as she stalked me from show to show. Basically ignored the bitch for the majority of the time, except when she tried to be clever and weasle her way into my social circles. Found out she actually cheated on me a *third* time, a full year before I had done the same to her. She was able to keep it a secret for a very long time. Lied about it to me in AZ and TX. Funny thing about her lies, I find out eventually... always.
I got married in a very informal and beautiful ceremony, spent the honeymoon in a hospital, fearing that my wife was going to die.
Personally:
Became very well of the dynamics of the people around me. My potential to be a great husband was realized.
Artistically:
With the struggles around me, there was not much to be done.
Chapter IV: Maryland
Professionally:
Became entangled in the nonsense of a leathercrafting company I worked for. Started paving the way for future business. Made really good money, not quite enough to make up for what little I made the past few shows. Was hired to create a website for a dancer in NJ.
Relationships:
Created some more beautiful relationships. Continued the trend of being a cocksmith. Had some great times. Didn't get to spend any real time with my new wife, but the time I had with her was wonderful. I became incredibly close with my co-workers. I now have some very, VERY amazing friends. Not many, but the ones I have are almost too good to be true.
Gave the ex another chance, this time I believed her when she told me she was going to change, and she was going to be the good person I believed she was going to be. Started talking and spending a lot of time together. She started telling people she was going to make mer her husband by next year.
Personally:
Got a new car.
Learned that I like to make dumb mistakes sometimes. Learned just how awesome my wife is.
Learned how to forgive. Learned how to keep my eyes open.
Artistically:
Published the first 3 books of 'Distance Til Empty'. My camera died, but I got it fixed.
Chapter V: Louisianna
Professionally:
Another great year in LA, working for a different leather company. This one stable and successful. All and around a good fucking ending to a rocky year.
Relationships:
Finally got to spend all the time I wanted with my wife, both privately and socially. Solidified some wonderful relationships. Developed a great circle of friends. Strengthened previous ones, created new ones.
Watched as I saw my idiot ex become a serious social embarassment. Every time she opened her mouth, she either regurgitated jokes of mine, used the victim card to become an attention whore, or flat out lies about the things she's done. Found out more of the shit she pulled behind my back. Watched as she burned bridges and became a social pariah. Saw as more and more people realized how much of an untrustworthy whore she had become after I dumped her. Watched as she nearly got into a fist-fight with another woman, and watched as she was almost banned from the bar we all hung out at. Watched as she ran out of friends and became desperate enough to start up friendships with people she told me for years she despised. Basically watched her become a miserable wretch, and I took great joy in it.
Learned a very close friend of mine was thrown in jail. Learned another close friend of mine was stricken with cancer. Was barred from going home in NJ for christmas. Found out I could not go back to AZ this year due to a horrible tourist season. The year, for me, ended in a huge shit-storm. I'm still hurting, but I'll heal, I always do.
Personally:
Learned to pay great attention to everyone around me. Even perfected my ability to read lips across an open fire. Called people on their bullshit, was brutally honest about my dealings with others, and was rewarded occasionally for it. Played hard, worked even harder. Learned to give up on a lost cause. Learned to focus on what matters.
Artistically:
Was handed a wad of cash for art I did last year, did more work, found more distributors. Killed my camera. Oops.
Chapter VI: Here and Now
Professionally:
Taking a long vacation from everything before going up to NC in a few weeks to do leather-working and more website designing. I stand to make a shit-ton of money, just in time for the AZ show.
Relationships:
My wife and I are a regular Ozzie and Harriet. We take very good care of each other. We get each other nice things, we do wonderful things for each other. We even cook and clean side by side, like the nice and healthy couple we are. Then again, we've been through so much, we've earned it. My brother loves every minute we spend together, and his fiance is happy to have a girl around.
Personally:
This is my time now. Enjoying my undistracted time with my wife and my brother. I've got my foot on the gas for everything I want to accomplish this year.
Artistically:
Published two more volumes of 'DTE'. The last two should be published in a matter of a week or so. Also, I'm going to go ahead and try out the ACEO/ATC scene. Looks promising. Also, I'll be finishing up my art for those two distributors.
There ya go. A whole lot of stuff, cleanly and clearly organized. You guys probably just pulled a 'tl;dr' and skipped over all of it, so whatever. eat shit.
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no subject
Date: 2007-01-01 06:26 pm (UTC)