Looking Back On 2012, Looking Forward to 2013

First of all,  JANUARY 1ST, 2013 marked the THIRD BLOGGIVERSARY of the Teresa Jusino Experience. It came and went with little fanfare, as I spent my New Year’s Day enjoying the company of friends hosting an all-day New Year’s Day Brunch-a-thon with my roommate. Still, it’s kind of cool to see how this blog has grown in three years. Here’s hoping the upward trajectory continues!

I’ve been doing a Year In Review post since 2004 (you can stalk keep up with Teresa History by checking out 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.)

This year, I’m keeping it short and sweet for reasons I’ll make clear later in the post.

WRITING LIFE:

• I’m still a writer at Tor.com and PopMatters.
• I gained a new outlet by being taken on by Al Dia, a Spanish-language newspaper based out of Philly. Expect more from me at Al Dia Cafe in the coming year. (You can check out the pieces I’ve already written HERE.)
• I gained another job when I started writing about comics for GirlGamer.com, but found out on New Year’s Day that they can no longer use my services. Bummer, but them’s the breaks. Still, you can check out what I’ve already written for them HERE.
• I’m still a writer on RETCON, and have been helping to produce the pilot. We had an IndieGoGo campaign this year, where we raised enough money to shoot the pilot, which is happening this month! Very excited about that, and about the possibilities for the show after the pilot’s done. I’m very much looking forward to writing episodes for the actual season!
• Tumultuous, but ultimately successful trip to GeekGirlCon 2012 in Seattle. Tumultuous in the getting there and getting back (I’d rather not rehash that story, but it involves being stranded in Oregon). Successful in that my panel on “Moffat’s Women” in Doctor Who was filled to capacity and I got so many compliments from strangers on it afterward. Thanks to Miley Yamamoto, Alan Kistler, and Natalie Reed for being such amazing panelists!
• I was published in two Doctor Who-related anthologies: Chicks Unravel Time (Mad Norwegian Press) and Outside In (ATB Publishing). Very proud of the pieces I wrote (both about Classic Who), and loved the editors I got to work with. Both books are on sale now!
• Started a Grimm spec, and started talking to a friend about a possible pilot we’ll be writing together, but my tumultuous living situation this year made it difficult to focus on writing that didn’t pay me, so my TV stuff was sadly very much on the back burner for much of the year.

PERSONAL LIFE:

• I’ve actually been dating this year! Fancy that. What’s more, I’m seeing someone now. And for the first time in the ever-ever, I had a date on New Year’s Eve. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say the Mayans really were right about the end of the world. Or, at least about pigs flying or snowballs in Hell.
• I’ve met even more wonderful people in my new city. I constantly marvel at the caliber of my friends, both old and new.
• 6-year anniversary of my mother’s passing.
• Visited New York over the summer for the first time since moving to L.A. Had an amazing time with friends (and pulled off an epic birthday surprise on my bestie!), but also confirmed that moving to L.A. was a good decision. At least for right now. I still get really nostalgic and homesick for New York and the people in it, but I know that moving here was the right thing. Shout-out to Matt for flying me out there! Would never have been able to visit home otherwise last year.
• Celebrated my 33rd birthday in San Diego attending my first SDCC. The cast of Grimm – Sasha, Bitsie, and Reggie in particular – totally made my SDCC experience!
• Had a tumultuous year financially and with regard to my living situation. After a little over a year spent couch-surfing or staying in people’s spare rooms (or that one time where I THOUGHT I had a permanent apartment, only to have it pulled out from under me four days in), I finally got a permanent apartment with a friend in October. We signed a two-year lease, so for better or worse, I’m living in Hollywood for a while! It’s nice to have a permanent address…and now, to work out my finances.
• Got a new day job through a good friend. It’s the most flexible job I could’ve asked for to make rent when writing doesn’t. Great environment and I’m working with really good people. Also, it often involves going to events and getting free food, which is a plus!
• After a year of working for the best jefa ever, Chastity and I both decided that it’d be best if I leave my assistant position with her. Eh, I’m happier to have her as my friend rather than my boss anyway.
• Devoted ALL of October to the Obama campaign in this year’s Presidential Election. You’re welcome, Mr. President.
• As for The Fray Project, I focused less on that than I might have liked. Though, I have lost weight this year, and I have shifted my thinking and the way I do things, it was more gradual and less structured, which overall might be a good thing. It means things are actually sticking.
• Had a great Thanksgiving week in Denver hosted and attended by wonderful and inspiring friends. Shout-out to Cathy and Matt for flying me there for the holiday, and shout-out to Angela, Heather, Lauren, and Joel for being awesome!
• Became Molly Bloom in December. Said yes.
• Was sick through Christmas, but had a wonderful and relaxing end of the year. Except for that rough patch at the end there. But for the most part, yes. Relaxing. And wonderful.

And that’s that. My report on the year. And I’m keeping it simple for a reason…

Something that’s been hit home to me a lot this year is that I have a tendency towards huge gestures. Like The Fray Project on my blog, for example – pretending that I “need” to talk about things publicly to give myself motivation. The truth is, all of my Big Plans are just me procrastinating. Procrastinating….and a little bit me getting scared of what might happen whether I succeed or fail. I know “aspiring,” but I don’t know getting there. I feel like a part of me focuses on the big pronouncements of plans for things, rather than on the actual getting to the hard work, because I’m afraid of seeing things through. Why? I don’t know, but I don’t want to be afraid of that. I want to see what happens! So, this year is gonna be a lot of me keeping my head down and just doing the fucking work. I can make big pronouncements when I have something to announce, and I shouldn’t worry so much that people will forget me or about what they’ll think of me if I’m “too quiet” about what I’m doing. This year, I want to talk about what I’ve DONE rather than what I WILL do.

And standing here at the beginning of 2013, after a year of being scattered in the wind, I finally feel grounded enough to do just that.

Here’s hoping that all of you reading this find whatever you wish for yourself this year. Happy 2013 everyone!

My 2012 According to WordPress!

I have to say, I love that WordPress does this – calculates my most popular posts, etc – every year. I like to know what posts elicit the biggest responses. Apparently, you all got riled up about my post on Katniss Everdeen and the one about KONY 2012. Check out the full picture below. (And yes, I’m working on a Teresa’s Year In Review post right now!)

And thank you so much for reading! I hope that 2013 brings you all everything you want for yourselves and more!

Here’s an excerpt:

4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 47,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 11 Film Festivals

Click here to see the complete report.

L.A. Year One: 2011 Year In Review

I couldn’t believe it when I looked back and realized that I’ve been doing a Year In Review blog post since 2004! You can look back at that year, as well as 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010! You know, if you want to geek out about me, or something.

2011 has been the most tumultuous year for me to date both personally and professionally. Mostly good, but a lot not-so-good. Here’s the recap:

TERESA’S 2011 YEAR IN REVIEW:

Whedonistas! Top (l-r): Nancy Holder, Jenn Reese, Katy Shuttleworth, Kelly Hale, Racheline Maltese. Bottom (l-r): Jane Espenson, Lynne Thomas, Deb Stanish, and ME!

WRITING LIFE

** Whedonistas was released, thus changing my writing life forever. My first published work in a book available in bookstores, it led to me doing a string of readings, both personal and as part of a larger group of Whedonistas. It also allowed me to meet some pretty amazing (and well-known) women in sci-fi/fantasy. I was thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful project with such talented people.

** Did my first Whedonistas convention panel at Gallifrey One (February)! After having raised money to make the trip online (thank you to all of my generous supporters!), I flew out to L.A. in February for Gally. On the panel were moderators (and Whedonistas editors) Lynne Thomas and Deb Stanish; artist Katy Shuttleworth; contributors Nancy Holder, Jenn Reese, Racheline Maltese, Kelly Hale; and Jane Espenson, who has an exclusive interview in the book. After the panel, which went really well, we had a signing, during which I had someone come up to me excited to read my essay because, based on what I’d talked about during the panel, she thought that my piece would speak to her experience. I was floored by that. Later, the Whedonistas and I all went out to dinner, and I not only had the opportunity to sit next to and get to know one of my professional role models, but I got to know fellow female writers and lovers of genre with whom I have a lot in common and with whom I’ve since been becoming friends.

** While I was in L.A. for Gally, I also organized a reading on my own at a cute coffeehouse in Venice called The Talking Stick. It went well overall, though I definitely learned some dos and don’ts for future readings. While the crowd I started with wasn’t particularly large, by the end, so many had walked in and stayed that I was reading to a full house. My short story didn’t go over too well, but my Whedonistas piece went over a lot better. That, and I had some wonderful friends out to support. Namely, Heather, Alex, Amy, Julianna, and Josh, as well as Mike from ChinaShop who came out to interview me and photograph/cover the reading! That was so sweet. It was a great night.

** Back in New York, I also organized a Whedonistas reading at The Way Station in Brooklyn (March). Again, nerve-wracking, because I’d organized the event myself, but it went swimmingly and we sold several copies of the book. I was joined onstage once again by Racheline Maltese as well as Priscilla Spencer.

** I began to focus more on feminism in relation to my pop culture criticism, and wrote two articles for Tor.com – Moffat’s Women: Amy and Her Skirt, and a two part review of the film Sucker Punch – that taught me that the internet is a double-edged sword, full of intelligent people and less-intelligent trolls.

** My second Whedonistas convention panel was at Geek Girl Con (October)! That was a bit more nerve-wracking in that I had organized and would be moderating that panel myself. It turned out rather well, however. We “played” to a packed, enthusiastic room, and as I was walking to another panel afterwards, I had several strangers stop me to tell me how much they enjoyed it. Jane Espenson and Nancy Holder joined me again, along with Mariah Huehner, who is awesome. Earlier that morning, we had a signing and we SOLD OUT all of our copies of the book! Next year, the bookseller won’t under order! I was amused by how many people assumed that I worked for the bookseller at whose table we were. I had to keep telling people, “I’m sorry, I can’t help you with ringing this up. I’m actually in this book.” One day, people won’t make that mistake. Also, if you’re ever going to bring Jane a baked good, do not bring her cupcakes. Cupcakes are wasted on Jane Espenson. Bring her pie instead. Wonder at how she manages to lead a normal life with such a warped view of cake.

** While 2011 had a lot of positive things happen for my writing career, there was also some negative. I got rejected from an anthology, a sci-fi fiction website, two TV writing fellowships, and the Emerging Writers Fellowship at the Center for Fiction in New York. I also was told by the blog editor at a major entertainment blog that he was interested in my work, only to have him reject all the pitches I sent him. Just goes to show, you can’t expect success without a certain level of failure! What you need to do is keep trying!

** I left Newsarama after a little over a year of writing comics reviews for them. It wasn’t anything bad or scandalous, and I actually really enjoyed my editor and the Best Shots review team. However, I made the decision to not do anymore unpaid writing work that wasn’t my own, and so my decision to quit was in support of that. But thank you, David, for being an amazing editor, and thanks to the Best Shots team for being a lot of fun on email chains!

** I became Geek Girl Traveler! First with a series of articles at ChinaShop, then a Facebook page and a Twitter feed, then a blog. You’ll be seeing more of her in 2012.

** After a while of figuring out what I wanted to do with Tumblr, I finally figured it out and created The Gender Blender. As I post stuff there, what I’m working on in relation to my novel becomes clearer.

** Discovered the website, Cowbird, and was accepted to join this small storytelling community. Immediately became obsessed!

** My Geeks and Kink article at ChinaShop Magazine not only popped about the internet both in kink circles and blogs like the Boston Magazine blog, but it also won me a contributor contest, netting me a cash bonus and a new Flip Cam!

** Had the pleasure of interviewing: Jane Espenson (several times), Cheeks, Rachael Yamagata, Kevin Smith (to post in 2012), Simon Pegg, Ian “Enable” Wyatt, Jeryl Prescott, Jessica Mills, Candis Phlegm and Lyndsey Doolan, Eric Laden (never posted), Whitney Sorrow, Tony Trov and Johnny Zito, Cecil Castillucci (to post in 2012), and Sasha Roiz (again!).

** Was a guest on two podcasts! A roundtable discussion of Doctor Who S6.1 on 2 Minute Time Lord, and an interview along with Pendard re: Geeks and Kink on Polyamory Weekly. Apparently I’m an expert on geeks and kinky sex or something. There are worse things at which to excel…

Me, Amy, Heather, and Elena celebrating Life Day!

PERSONAL LIFE

** Sadly, no men of note. It was a slow one for dating. There was this one time where I thought I was being flirted with at a wedding, but that turned out to not be the case. Then there was this other time where I thought I had game at a geek singles event. But that was just men thinking I make a really good friend. *sighs* That’s how the cookie crumbles.

** 5 year anniversary of my mother’s passing.

** I turned 32 with little fanfare, but spent a fun night with Joanna and her brother, Carlos, at a really gorgeous spot in Queens on the East River that I’d never been to before. Had my first Four Loko. Also, managed to get a free slurpee at 7-Eleven.

** After Gally in February, I made the decision to make moves toward moving toward Los Angeles! At first, I was going to move to Plano, TX and save up money while living with my friend, Angela. However, another friend, Maritza, offered to let me live rent-free with her and her husband in Santa Monica in exchange for babysitting, so a plan was created for me to move out to Los Angeles toward the end of the year!

** Everything after that decision felt like prep for that. Everything I did became “my last ____ in New York.” I stopped babysitting for Caleb and Toby (whom I loved), and after my lease was up at my apartment in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, I spent a month at Maria’s while catsitting, a couple of weeks at Robin’s, then my last few days in New York at Liz and Alex’s. Hurricane Irene didn’t stop my goodbye festivities, and after planning parties for myself, I was surprised by another party thrown by my friends that had been planned since June. I cried. A LOT. I visited my mother’s grave one last time, saw my dad one last time (for now), and said goodbye to my family. Leaving New York was the biggest, most life-altering thing I’ve ever done.

** On August 31st, 2011, I left New York on a jet plane. Don’t know when I’ll be back again. I had been given letters written by some of my closest friends that I was instructed to read on the plane. After Robin and Joanna escorted me to the airport and waited until I got all the way through security before leaving, I got on the plane and started reading my letters. As the plane pulled off the runway, and I saw the skyline of my hometown fade into the distance behind us, I cried. And the letters I read were beautiful.

** Once I got to L.A. I was immediately greeted by lots of social people, and also lots of financial difficulty. I started out at Maritza’s, but that fell through for various reasons, and I had to move out. I lived for a little over a month with my friend Theresa and her husband Alan, until that fell through for various reasons. Now, I’m living where I should’ve lived in the first place, with my friend Heather and her boyfriend, Alexis. I have my own room, have been contributing to food, and will begin contributing to rent this month. I’ll be here until I save up enough for a car and a security and first month on my own place. It’ll be a while, but this lease isn’t up for two years, so…I’m a Valley Girl now. My first few weeks of living here were filled with parties, events, coffee meetings, and getting-to-know-yous…

** And then the doldrums set in. L.A. winter (which consists of rain, clouds, and temps in the 50s) was a mite depressing. So was the fact that I’m broke and stopped being able to afford being as social as I wanted to be. There was a period of a couple of weeks when I was actually rawther depressed. I’m much better now.

** The Occupy Movement has become a big part of my life, and when I first heard about it going down at Occupy Wall Street, I really regretted not being in NYC to be a part of it. But then, I got involved with Occupy L.A. My friend Mike and I camped out at Occupy L.A. on the fourth night (and got interviewed by KTLA the next morning). While I haven’t been able to get there since then (no money for bus fare, no car), I’ve been spreading links and writing my face off about it. When I traveled to Seattle and San Fransisco this year, I visited their Occupations and took pictures. I will post them eventually. If you’re not outraged, you haven’t been paying attention.

** Speaking of travel, I went to Seattle for Geek Girl Con. Money was tight, so I ended up only being able to get TO Seattle. Had to wait on a paycheck to get back. It came later than expected, so I was stuck in Seattle for an extra week, which was fine. In addition to Geek Girl Con, I had an amazing time staying with my friend, Heidi, then with a new friend, also named Teresa, and her partners, Scott and Larry, all of whom were super sweet to me. Geeked out at the Battlestar Galactica Exhibit and the Avatar Exhibit at the EMP Museum. Sat on the bank of Lake Washington. Visited the first Starbucks. Had lunch with some new friends, Jennifer and Anita. Had dinner with a new friend, Kristen. Had breakfast with a new friend, Christina. So all my meals were covered, and I got to hang with some wonderful people in the process. Taking the train to Seattle rather than a plane made the trip that much more memorable. If you can take Amtrak anywhere, especially up the West Coast, do it! It’s beautiful.

** Traveled to San Fransisco the weekend following Seattle through the generosity of friends. Stayed with Anita and her boyfriend at their place on Valencia – it was so sweet of them to let me stay there barely knowing me. Met up with Cathy, Matt, Angela, and Heather and we walked ALL OVER. (that city is seriously ALL uphill) Fisherman’s Wharf, seals, Chinatown, Lombard Street, the Comic and Cartoon Art Museum, and it all culminated in seeing Kevin Spacey play Richard III at the Curran Theater. He was great, even if the production was a bit uneven. But the second half was MUCH better than the first. Would love to visit SF for a longer period of time.

** Went with my new friend, Judi (Deb’s sister!), to see Riverdance at The Pantages Theater, and saw Merle for the first time in years. Also saw Padraic, Niamh, Maeve, and some of the other Riverdance cast and crew I’d gotten to know in my years working for the show. So surreal! But it was good to see everyone!

** Spent Thanksgiving with my new friend Emily at the place she shares with her boyfriend, Phillip, as well as some of his family. It was a really nice night (with great food!), and I was so touched that she invited me. Emily’s a good’un.

** Celebrated Christmas with Heather, Alexis, and their family and friends at his mom, Julie’s, place. REALLY great food, and I had a Malta for the first time in years! Met some great new people (and possibly a new personal trainer!), and was touched that Julie and Heather thought of me with gifts knowing that I couldn’t afford to give gifts this year (and even after they’d each agreed that no one was doing presents this year!). Also got some unexpected Christmas gifts from Robin and Heather E, as well as a ton of Christmas cards from everywhere. Skyped with my family. It wasn’t nearly as sad or bad as I was expecting. I felt a lot of love. I’m a lucky person.

** Roscoe’s. Chicken. And. Waffles.

A sampling of the new friends I’ve made this year: Maritza, Bob, Emily, Amy, Anita, Jennifer S, Theresa W, Alan, Teresa G, Scott, Larry, Judi, Jared, Jenni, Jenni P, Julianna, Josh, Vicky, Shanna, Jessica M, Stephanie, Dina, Sarah, Elena, Chastity, Dino, Elliot, and several more peeps. I’ve been so warmly welcomed in L.A. it’s not even funny.

Robin and Me just before her wedding!

FRIEND-RELATED AWESOME

** My BFF, Robin, got married to the love of her life, Matt – and I was her maid of honor! It was SUCH a great wedding. Everyone looked amazing, I danced so hard I hurt the next day, and everyone had a wonderful time.

** My friends Robyn and Jerry also got married in the Virgin Islands. I was originally supposed to officiate the wedding (I even became a minister in the Universal Life Church!), but my finances wouldn’t allow me to make the trip, and I had to back out, which bummed me out severely.

** Katie got pregnant again! Her first son, Nate, was a long-awaited gift. Now, this woman’s like a friggin’ rabbit! But seriously, I’m so happy for her and Aaron.

** New York State passed marriage equality! I put this in my “friend-related awesome” section in honor of all my friends in New York who can now get married! Now, for the rest of the country…

The cast and crew of Husbands at their premiere at Meltdown Comics

GEEKY/POP CULTURE HAPPENINGS OF IMPORTANCE

** I launched Beginning of Line in January 2011! In December, we’ve just posted our 18th story, which was our “Caprica Season 2″ finale. I’m so proud of all of my writers and artists – talented people, all! I’m looking forward to planning Season 3 and continuing to create stories set in the Caprica universe in 2012!

** Geek Girl Con was a huge success, and the best convention to which I’ve ever been. Hands down. It was so well run, I met so many amazing people and gained so many opportunities because of it. I can’t wait for Geek Girl Con 2012. I’ll be there with bells on!

** In television, 2011 introduced me to two of my favorite new shows, Once Upon a Time and Grimm. Torchwood: Miracle Day was really enjoyable (though I still have 2 eps to watch!), and the webseries, Husbands, was an adorable look at gay marriage. Doctor Who, Season 6 was really cool, if a bit confusing. Fringe had its best season ever. The Walking Dead? Not so much. And I caught up with two brilliant AMC shows: Mad Men and Breaking Bad. I cannot WAIT for new episodes of those two in 2012!

** In film, the end of the Harry Potter franchise totally satisfied me. I was one of the only people in the world who really liked Sucker Punch, apparently. Loved Super, Paul, and Friends With Benefits. And BRIDESMAIDS! Thank you, Kristen Wiig.

** Thankfully saw the Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark on Broadway once they worked out the kinks. It’s still not a perfect show, but it’s fun, and MUCH better than what it was before, from what I hear.

** Sadly, we lost Doctor Who‘s Elisabeth Sladen and Nicholas Courtney. RIP.

** In addition to Gally and Geek Girl Con, I attended Long Beach Comic Con and Comikaze Expo, both of which weren’t terribly thrilling.

** Went to the Husbands premiere at Meltdown Comics.

** In addition to Riverdance, I went to see a production of Danny and the Deep Blue Sea at the Crown Theatre in NoHo. L.A. DOES have a theater scene!

** I was named one of the Top 11 Geek Girls of 2011 according to the Chicago Tribune Red Eye’s “Geek to Me” blog! Thanks to Elliot Serrano for thinking me worthy of inclusion in such wonderful company! WOO HOO!

Got to meet: Jessica Mills, Candis Phlegm, Lyndsey Doolan, Jane Espenson, Cheeks, Sean Hemeon, Alessandra Torresani, Magda Apanowicz, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Amy Berg, Felicia Day, Vincent Caso, Amy Okuda, Bonnie Burton, Michelle Boyd and the rest of Team Unicorn (except Clare!), Adrianne Curry, Sean Becker, and Juliet Landau. STILL have not met Sasha Roiz despite interviewing him twice, a jillion tweets and emails, and crossed communiques to get coffee when I was visiting L.A. earlier in the year. Well, Sasha – you have until the end of the world in December to make it up to me. Ball’s in your court.

2011 was a huge year for me, and there are amazing things in the works for this new year. 2012 is going to PWN! And I’m looking forward to sharing it all with you!

HAPPY ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY…ME!

January 1st, 2011 was the one year anniversary of The First Post on this blog. I can’t believe I’ve kept it up this long. I also can’t believe that people I don’t really know actually read it! To everyone who’s stopped by, who’s subscribed, and who keeps coming back for more…

THANK YOU!!

So, I’ve been thinking about ways to improve the blog and make it more interesting and/or useful. Don’t get me wrong…it’s primarily a place for me to talk about 1) my writing, 2) my geeky interests, and 3) my crazy, impoverished, freelance-writer life. I’ll still be doing all that. However, I’d also like to give you lot something to take away with you other than me rambling on about myself. I don’t want to become a pop culture news blog – there are plenty of those – but I’d like to be more than just a personal blog… *sound of wheels turning*

So, I’m devoting this week to celebrating my little blog’s birthday by visiting posts past, talking about ideas for the future, and reaching out to you for your input on how I can make The Teresa Jusino Experience more fun/informative for people other than me.

But first things first:

The Year In Blog

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Crunchy numbers

About 3 million people visit the Taj Mahal every year. This blog was viewed about 25,000 times in 2010. If it were the Taj Mahal, it would take about 3 days for that many people to see it.

In 2010, there were 98 new posts, not bad for the first year! There were 150 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 61mb. That’s about 3 pictures per week.

The busiest day of the year was August 18th with 3,715 views. The most popular post that day was About Teresa. (Thank you old Wil Wheaton article!)

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were lettersofnote.com, twitter.com, facebook.com, Google Reader, and tor.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for lady gaga, daniel tosh, marvel civil war, teresa jusino, and lady gaga pictures.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

About Teresa December 2009

2

A Completely Unsubstantive Crush Post (Beautiful, Beautiful Picspam) February 2010
4 comments

3

Caprican in a Tauron Body (or, Remembering Mom) April 2010
23 comments

4

Pop Goes Teresa: Loving Lady Gaga Part 2 – Camille Paglia and the Death of Reason September 2010
5 comments

5

Teresa’s Bookshelf: SONG OF SOLOMON, by Toni Morrison January 2010
3 comments

So…my readers love me, looking at hot pictures of Sasha Roiz and Daniel Tosh, reading about sci-fi and culture, highbrow literature, and Lady Gaga. Excellent. So do I.

2010 Year In Review Addendum: LOST

I meant to include this in the  “Geeky/Pop Culture Happenings of Importance” section of my 2010 Year In Review post but in the haze of tired that comes with spending way too long on one blog post, I left it off the list. It’s just as well, as this really sort of deserves its own post. Because even though Caprica captured my imagination this year, and even though there were many exciting changes in the world of Doctor Who, and even though Fringe had its best year yet, there is one sci-fi show that ended a 6-year run in 2010. A show that not only defined what I look for in TV, but gave my close friends and I an anchor for our relationships with each other. No matter how busy we got, or what other things came up in our lives, we could always come together for this.

2010 brought the end of Lost.

I didn’t start watching Lost in the first season. It was only when the second season had already started and was 3-4 episodes in that Liz & Alex refused to let me go on any longer without watching it. So they sat me down and let me watch the entirety of season one, which they’d recorded on DVR. The pilot episode impressed me with its quality, but it was Episode 4, “Walkabout,” that reeled me in for good. As John Locke shouted “Don’t tell me what I can’t do!” I was bawling, and I knew that this was a character, and a show, I wanted to stick with.

Since then, I became addicted to the Lost ARGs that invaded the internet during every summer hiatus, piecing together clues trying to figure out what the Dharma Initiative was doing, or who The Others were… I bought the (horrible) book, Bad Twin, also to search for clues to the show. And my friends and I had a weekly Lost Email Chain. The day after every new episode, or sometimes the same night, depending on how good/mindblowing the episode was. Season premieres became events where we’d get together, and Lost creeped into our lexicon. Suddenly, the receipt printer in NYC taxi cabs “sound like the smoke monster”, and all of us would randomly scream “Waaaaaalt!!”

Lost gave me a world I could take apart and rearrange, bury myself in, and put back together in whatever configuration I liked. While other TV shows gave me answers, Lost gave me something to do, causing my brain to continue working long after I’d watched an episode. And in the end, the ending was up to me.

Lots of folks were dissatisfied with the ending of Lost. Just as many people enjoyed it. I’m one of the latter. I love that Lost stayed true to its mystery right to the end, because in doing that it stayed true to itself. Lost was always a show about questions, and questioning, and appreciating the journey rather than the destination. Thank you, Lost, for allowing me to enjoy the ride for six years.

And thank you, Benjamin Linus, for being my most disturbing crush ever.

2010 Year In Review

It’s time for my annual Year In Review post; an ongoing tradition since 2004! If you’d like the Cliff’s Notes on my life, feel free to revisit that year, as well as 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009!

So, here are the highlights of my 2010, broken down into categories this year, because…well…why not?

TERESA’S 2010 YEAR IN REVIEW:

The Writing Life:

** Um, I STARTED THIS BLOG! That’s right, tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of The Teresa Jusino Experience! There will be celebrating! Don’t know how, but there will be.

** Started writing for Tor.com! (and still doing it!)

** Started a column at Examiner.com (not still doing that…)

** Wrote my short story, “December”, which didn’t win me the NYCMidnight Short Fiction contest, but it DID get published in Crossed Genres this year! That makes this my first piece of published fiction, which you can check out in Issue #24, their Characters of Color issue.

** Submitted a proposal for a Doctor Who story as part of Big Finish’s 5th Doctor/Nyssa contest. Alas, t’was not meant to be…

** Did my first and only podcast for Sci-Fi Pulse! (Hello, Ian!) Podcasts are fun! However, I don’t know if I’ll ever be not-crazed enough to do one regularly. If you’d like to listen to the episode I was on, click here (listen to the whole show, or start at around 43:55 to just hear my section)!

** Left my PR job in June to devote myself to freelance writing. To supplement my writing, I’ve worked at a learning center in Flushing, and now babysit a wonderful little boy named Caleb and work at a NYC comics shop. It’s difficult as hell, but it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.

** Wrote my first spec script (for Castle) and submitted it for consideration in the NHMC Writers Program. Did not get accepted. Ah, well.

** Released my first chapbook of short stories, On The Ground Floor!

** Started writing for ChinaShop Magazine, which has been awesome so far!

** Started reviewing comics for Newsarama!

** Started a Facebook Fan Page. Because I have fans, dammit!

** Had an essay commissioned to be included in the upcoming anthology, WHEDONISTAS, which will be available in March 2011!

** The Pack is officially on indefinite hiatus. However, there is every intention of bringing this story to you somehow. In one medium or another.

** NYCC! Attended to cover it for Tor (not that I wouldn’t have gone anyway!) and had an official press pass! Not that it helped when it mattered (Um, no reserved press seats for the Walking Dead panel? Thanks a bunch.) Met Jason Aaron (seemed grateful when I wanted to talk about Scalped! Nice guy!), Marjorie Liu (awesome! Love that she geeked out over SGU!), Robert Kirkman (he’s getting an email from me soon!), and Bob Fingerman (who recognized my name from the byline of my Tor Doctor Who articles! Eek!). Got to ask James Marsters a question during his panel (the only Caprica-related question in the room), and caught up w/the crew at Roddenberry Productions, for whom I volunteered at the 40th Anniversary Star Trek Vegas convention years ago. Also, I played D&D for the first time…and liked it.

** Got to interview some pretty cool people for Tor, Pink Raygun, ChinaShop, and PopMatters this year: Tara Reich (awesome designer who not only ended up making me a dress for my Caprica photo shoot, but is also making me a Dalek dress for Robyn & Jerry’s wedding!), Paul Cornell (awesome, hour-long conversation where we seemed to talk about everything. Apparently, I managed to ask him a couple of questions he’d never been asked before, which was awesome. *pats self on back*), Steven Moffat (he’s every bit as funny, smart, and awesome as you think he’d be), Sasha Roiz (after months of Twittering and one failed attempt to interview him when he was in NYC promoting Caprica, I was finally able to get in on a conference call interview with him, wherein he recognized my name from Twitter and addressed me as if we go way back, thus making me look like a rock star in the eyes of the world. Or, at least in the eyes of other interviewers. Ended up writing the best interview I’ve ever written), and Bear McCreary (super-awesome guy whose love of music is absolutely infectious! This was a really fun interview).

The Personal Life:

** After 7 years in The Revolving Door Commune for Itinerant Artists, I had to move. First, I spent two months staying with the fabulous Robyn and Jerry. Now, I have a great apartment in Brooklyn from which I can wreak havoc. There was a good couple of months where I was having a heart attack every other day, but things are finally starting to settle. Well, as much as they can settle when you’ve chosen an unsettling path.

** Had a couple of big scares with my Dad’s health, and for a while there we thought he didn’t have long. But Christmas brought a miracle, and now he’s out of hospice care having unexpectedly bounced back! Woo hoo! Still in a home and still suffering dementia, but still. Healthier.

** Went to my first Fashion Week party! I know, right? But seriously – ChinaShop threw a do that I was invited to because I write for them. It was a lot of fun to infiltrate a scene that isn’t really mine, and once my friend Olga showed up, we had a blast! Even as we were fending off unwanted advances from a dude that couldn’t take a hint.

** This was a year of fancy parties, as I also attended Molly Crabapple’s launch party for her Dirtee Hollywood line of t-shirts at Atrium in NYC. Again, I felt like I was crashing a scene, but it was lots of fun, Molly’s so sweet, and there were lots of awesome mini cupcakes. Also created a professional relationship between Molly and my friends (and production folks extraordinaire) Alex & Liz, who filmed/edited a promo piece documenting the party and the window installation she created (you can even see me at around 2:09-2:10). I love it when I can bring talented folks together!

** This was the 4-year anniversary of my mother’s passing. It seems like a hundred years ago, and it seems like just yesterday.

** The high school girl I mentored for the past two years, Mariah, graduated from high school and began college! I was so proud! And now, we’re friends on Facebook. Of course.

** A friend of mine from France, Amaury, came to NYC for the first time. Spent a good 2 weeks showing him around, and marveling at how wonderful my city is all over again.

** Was randomly stopped by cops for fare-jumping in the subway, which I wasn’t doing. Like, at all. Like, not even remotely. So it was a bit frightening, as for a while there it didn’t seem to matter that I’d done nothing wrong, which is ten times scarier than getting called out for something you have done wrong. Because there’s nothing you can do about it. In the end, though, it was resolved.

** Witnessed a lunar eclipse that happened on the winter solstice. It was a gorgeous, sobering sight. When’s the next one? December 21, 2094. See you then!

** Dona Juanita passed away at 94. She was a long-time family friend, particularly of my dad’s, and I went to pay my respects on his behalf as well as my own. RIP, Dona Juanita.

** Spent Christmas with good friends, but a huge blizzard kept me from spending it with family. Still, I spent Christmas Day at a fun get-together at my friend, Mary’s place, where we drank lots, watched the Doctor Who Christmas special, and played drinking games and Bop-It. Also, my friends Cathy and Angela are in town, and I’ve spent much of the Christmas season (and will be spending New Year’s Eve) with them and our friend Olga.

** No men of note. Then again, my life was so crazy this year, there was no time to meet men of note.

NEW FRIENDS THAT I’VE MET IN PERSON/OR GOTTEN TO KNOW BETTER THIS YEAR: Olga, Kristin (@geekgirls), Jill (@thenerdybird), Sylvie (@syllver), GeekGirlDiva (@geekgirldiva), Dale (@daleochase), Sarah (@dracona1031), Risa (@lachendwolf), Beth (@wndrwmn), Kristin (@kristenmchugh22), Janna (@dreamyeyed), Liz (another one! the current roommate, not the aspiring editor, nor the condiment) , Jesse, and Maureen. I’ve also gotten to know some pretty awesome people via the intarwebz, whom I haven’t met IRL yet, but hope to in the near future. I’m grateful for all of you, and I hope that we get to hang out more in 2011.

BOOKS I’VE READ THIS YEAR: Song of Solomon, Breakfast of Champions, Chicks Dig Time Lords, The Sparrow, Certain Girls, The Invisible Bridge, The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, My Sister’s Keeper, Fables Vol. 3, Great House. Total books read in 2010: 11. Currently reading: Wild Nights! (Oates) and Mockingjay (Collins) Favorite book read in 2010: The Hunger Games.

Friend-Related Awesomeness That I’m Particularly Happy About:

** My BFF that I’ve known since 5th grade, Robin, got engaged to her boyfriend, Matt. Matt is wonderful, I’m going to be a Maid of Honor for the first time, and my dress looks fabulous!

** My other friend named Robyn also got engaged to a fabulous Englishman named Jerry. I’m going to be officiating their wedding, having become a minister in the Church of Online (or the Universal Life Church) in the Virgin Islands next year while wearing a Dalek dress. Holla!

** My friends Katie and Aaron had their first child, Nate! Nate was long-waited for and hard-won, which makes his arrival all the sweeter!

** My friend Vanessa, who is my longest-running friend (I’ve known her since I was about 3 or 4), got married. I was invited, but my life was so insane and tumultuous at that point that I…um…forgot. It’s probably my biggest regret of the year. But I am grateful that this year caused us to be more in touch than we ever have been. She’s also pregnant! So, 2011 will be a big year for her, too!

Geeky/Pop Culture Happenings of Importance:

** We said goodbye to David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor on Doctor Who, and I was mighty sad about it. Then Matt Smith became Eleven, and I was all “David Tennant, who?”

** Caprica became my favorite show on television, and then became canceled. The cancellation sucks, but it also brought about lots of good things, like giving me writing fodder for Tor.com; making me feel like part of the sci-fi community; introducing me to the work of some brilliant actors, including Sasha Roiz, who is now one of my favorites; reviving my interest in writing for television; and inspiring me to take on a fun project I’ll be announcing in a week. Thank you, Caprica.

** I fell in love with Ke$ha, Nicki Minaj, and Florence and the Machine. Also, with Cee-Lo’s “Fuck You.” It was an awesome year in music.

** Katheryn Bigelow became the first woman to win the Best Director Oscar for The Hurt Locker. This made me squeefully happy.

** Mark Millar totally likes my photography.

** Was one of the first people in the US (along with the pirates, I guess) to see the first Doctor Who episode of the 6th series when I attended the premiere screening in NYC at which Steven Moffat, Matt Smith, and Karen Gillan were in attendance. I ended up sitting in the same row as Matt Smith’s sister and explained to her boyfriend what a chameleon circuit is! I also attended the Doctor Who event at the Apple Store in SoHo, where the three were in attendance as well. 2010 was a very Doctor Who year for me, it seems! Also, men need to leave Karen Gillan alone! Yes, she’s beautiful. That doesn’t mean you get to talk to her like a thing, rather than as a person. The Q&As I attended showed me the worst aspects of fanboys as far as she was concerned, and it made me angry.

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And, I think that’s it for 2010! Thank you all so much for stopping by this blog over the past year! I hope to make 2011′s entries even more interesting and full of cool things. Do come along for the ride!  And HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2009 Year In Review

Since 2004 I’ve been doing a Year In Review post.  It’s a great way for me to look back on both the good and the bad of the past year, and it’s a great way for anyone reading to get a brief glimpse into the awesomeness that is my life!    If you’d like to stroll further down memory lane than this post will allow, feel free to check out my past Years In Review: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008.

And now….*drumroll*  TERESA’S 2009 YEAR IN REVIEW:

** began 2009 having brunch with some wonderful people, then fooling around with a cute boy in his car and, later, in my empty house.  Haven’t hung out with said cute boy again, but still, quite a way to start the year!

Me and Mariah the day we met!

** 2009 was the first full year I had mentoring Mariah through iMentor.  It was, and continues to be, a really cool, rewarding, challenging, interesting experience.

** OBAMA OFFICIALLY SWORN IN AS PRESIDENT! Was finally rewarded for my campaigning efforts and activism.

** Saw In the Heights, which has since become one of my favorite musicals!  Met Lin Manuel Miranda afterward…he’s such an inspiration.

** MET JOSS WHEDON with Adam! You can read about the experience here.    He was at the Apple Store in SoHo promoting Dollhouse, which premiered this year.  I enjoy the show, but don’t consider it Whedon’s best work.  Am hoping 2010 brings more interesting projects from him.

Me and Neil Gaiman at Housing Works bookstore

** MET NEIL GAIMAN! I’d been familiar with him since reading Sandman in 2004, but for some reason his work resonated with me this year more than it ever has, and I began devouring everything he’s ever written.  I met him for the first time at a reading he did at Books of Wonder in NYC that I attended with Adam, then several times at signings after that.  A talented and really sweet human being.

** DISCOVERED AMANDA PALMER! I’d vaguely heard of The Dresden Dolls ages ago, but it wasn’t until this year when my following Neil Gaiman led me to the solo music of Amanda Palmer.  Turns out, she’s not only a talented songwriter and a kick-ass live performer, but she’s inspiring in the way that she pursues art relentlessly, uses the internet to its best advantage, and works so hard to stay connected to her fans.  One of the best discoveries I’ve made this year.  Saw her perform live and met her twice.  Also a very cool, thoughtful person.

** Saw Eve 6 in concert for the second time at Mulcahy’s with Robin, Matt, and Sam.  They’ve still got it!  By the end of the concert I was drenched in sweat and felt energized and alive.  It was a good time!

** SAW STAR TREK!  Great, great movie.  So great, in fact, that I saw it in the theater about six times!    God, but I love JJ Abrams.  Also love Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto!  Rrrawr! 

** Met and hung out with Jasika Nicole and her awesome girlfriend, Claire, before they followed Fringe to Vancouver.  Not only is she an awesome actress and a fabulous artist, but she’s a sweetheart and makes killer Rice Krispy treats!    Had a lot of fun at her going-away party, and I was also happy to meet her amazing cadre of friends.

** Attended Dr. Ruth Westheimer’s 81st birthday party/book party/documentary screening at the National Arts Club, NYC.   I have to say, it felt strange to not only be one of the few people there under 50, but also one of the few people there other than the people working the party that makes less than $40,000 a year.  Still, it was a nice time, and there was some good, fancy food.

Me, Liz#2, and Adam at the Highline Ballroom after the Girlyman concert

** MET GIRLYMAN for the first time at their show at the Highline I attended w/Adam and Liz#2.  Liz#2 got her boobs signed by the whole band.  A great show, and they couldn’t be cooler people.

** Signed up on OKCupid, and had only one correspondence end up in an actual date.  The date wasn’t successful, but the guy was nice enough, and I was happy to get my first online date out of the way.

** Went to Wizard World Philly to volunteer at the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund table.  The con itself was boring (except for when I got to MEET EDWARD JAMES OLMOS, who was the coolest dude ever, and signed my sketchbook in Spanish), and I was really annoyed/disheartened by the level of cynicism displayed by the people with whom I was volunteering (why work with the comic book industry at all if all you’re going to do is look down on the people who enjoy them?), but I was staying with Lisa and John of Pink Raygun fame, and I had a great time with them! They introduced me to a whole bunch of cool people by bringing me to an awesome clambake party…and I ended up hooking up with a friend of a friend of theirs.    That was a good, fun night.

** Was asked to be a comic reviewer for PopMatters.com.  Wrote a couple of reviews, blog entries, articles for them, had a lot of fun doing it, and really enjoyed working with the editors.  However, I stopped writing for them after a while, because it was too much work to be doing for free.  I made the decision that, other than Pink Raygun, I’m not going to write for any other websites unless they pay me money.

** Met a lot of cool friends this year, including – but not limited to – Lori, Emily, Ellys, Mary, Matt, Sam, Trisha, Laurie (in the UK), Janice, Sonia Aurora, etc.  If I missed you, I’m sorry! I’ve met a lot of people this year!

** Speaking of cool people, I interviewed artist, MOLLY CRABAPPLE, for Pink Raygun, and since then have become friendly with her, and been to her fabulous Dr. Sketchy’s live drawing sessions several times. Have also met her boyfriend, fellow artist, Fred Harper, and her frequent collaborator and friend, John Leavitt.  Attended the release party for Molly’s new graphic novel, Scarlett Takes Manhattan, and had the pleasure of introducing myself to Gala Darling, one of my favorite bloggers.  Would love to get to know all of them better in the coming year!

** Attended my first NY Liberty game w/Emily, Liz#2, and Adam.

Me filming a scene from "The Pack"

** SHOT 3 EPISODES OF THE PACK.  Originally, The Pack was created as an entry for an NBC digital shorts contest.  NBC turned their noses up at us, but we’re continuing with the project.  Liz, Alex, and I hope to buy better equipment and I hope to write better, tighter scripts.  However, shooting those three episodes was A LOT of fun, and taught us SO MUCH.  It also established the fact that once we organize ourselves and get the equipment we need, we can’t fail, because we’re working with an AMAZING cast and crew.  Everyone involved in this project is so talented and passionate about what they do.  We are very, very lucky to have them all.

** CELEBRATED MY 30TH BIRTHDAY! You can read about my fabulous, 30s-themed birthday celebration here.  It was a great night, and I have to say that, so far, my thirties kind of rock!

** Midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince with Robin, Matt, et al.  I thought it kicked major ass.  Robin disagreed.  Vehemently. 

** Star Trek Convention in Parsippany!    A lot of fun – but it would’ve been more fun had people come with me.  Conventions are always more fun when attended with friends.  Still, I MET LEONARD NIMOY, albeit very briefly, so that’s really all that matters!

** Raised over $1,000 for the RDC “Fallen Comrade” Fund to help Liz#2 with expenses incurred because of her broken leg.  I have to say I was very proud of myself for being able to pull that together, and I was so glad to be able to be of some concrete help.

** Was a housesitter extraordinaire – first for Jean and Kevin as I watched their pets while they were away (and I somehow got some kind of throat virus in the process), then for a friend of my friend, Elizabeth’s, in Larchmont watching HER dog.  I have to say, I really like housesitting.  It’s good to get away from communal living for a bit.

** KATIE GOT PREGNANT! That didn’t happen to me, obviously, but I was SO THRILLED about it, it had to be included.  She’s due in March…

** Saw Burn The Floor with Lori.  GREAT show!  I wish I could move like that.  Developed a crush on a German dance couple. 

** Saw The Bacchae with Merle in Central Park.  Boooooring.  Still, Jonathan whassisface is hot. 

Eileen, Vanessa, Joanna, and Me at Martha's in Forest Hills

** After reuniting at my 30th birthday shindig, Eileen, Joanna, Vanessa and I had an epic, old-school hanging out session.  Did I mention this was EPIC.  These are my oldest friends.  I’ve known these ladies since I was knee-high to a grasshopper (I’ve known Vanessa since I was about 3, and I’ve known the other two since I was about 5).  I thought it so cool that we’re all still friends – that we’re even BETTER friends now than we’ve ever been before!

The Cool Kids Table at the post-wedding brunch: Jessica, Nicole, Mrs. Zalas, Lindsay, Andie, Adam, Dana, Me, and Justin

** Trip to MICHIGAN w/Adam followed by ALANA AND ROB’S WEDDING in Chicago.  It was so cool seeing so many people that I don’t get to see nearly often enough.  Became better friends w/Adam’s mom, Joan.  Got to know his dad, Bill, and his stepmom, Kris better.  Got lost for 5 hours in Pyramid Point park with Adam, but made it out alive.  Met family and family friends of his that I’d only ever heard about before, including the infamous Donna!  Also, met Whitney and Casey who are really cool, and got to hang with Carsen, Sasha, Ruthie, Dana, Justin, Lindsay, as well as the Couple of the Hour.  The wedding itself was SO MUCH FUN.  I could’ve done without the threesome going on in my hotel room, but now I know to choose my roommates better on the next trip.

** Entered, and lost, the 2009 NYC Midnight Flash Fiction Contest.

** Went to a benefit screening of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog at Symphony Space, featuring a Q&A w/Joss Whedon, moderated by Ira Glass, with Adam and Liz#2.  As Liz#2 was still in a wheelchair because of her broken leg, we were let into the lobby first.  Joss Whedon walked right past us in the empty lobby and said hello as he went out to mingle with the people standing on line outside.  We would’ve missed him were it not for Liz#2′s eagle eye.  As he walked by, I said “Hello, Television’s Joss Whedon.”

** Discovered the wonder that is Roller Derby!  Saw Whip It, which I loved.  Went to my first Gotham Girls Roller Derby bout between the Queens of Pain and the Brooklyn Bombshells and had a great time!  I’m looking forward to spending the whole season with them in 2010!

** Met the woman who will hopefully be my future literary agent at a “Breaking Into Publishing” seminar I went to w/Adam at NYU.

** Other fun, work-related shindigs I went to included going to the Fashion for Dummies book party and seeing Chita Rivera perform at Birdland.  Fun evenings, both!

** Saw Jonathan Safran Foer for the UMPTEENTH time at a signing for his newest book, Eating Animals.  He remembered me.   We’ll see if his book can convince me to become a vegetarian…

** Attended a wonderful event called Salon97, a laid-back classical music salon organized by my friend Kevin’s fabulous wife, Cariwyl.  Met some cool people, including a woman named Ami who works for Tor.com.  We had lunch, she introduced me to Tor.com’s head honcho, Pablo, and I’ve been offered a chance to write for the site!  2010 is going to see even MORE geeky writing from me!

** Discovered THE BEST INDIAN FOOD IN NEW YORK CITY with Ruth, Joe, and Lindsay.  I’m not gonna tell you where it is, though, because I don’t want word getting out about it too much.  If you want to go, you’ll just have to make an appointment with me, and I’ll take you there.

Me and a liter of beer. Standard fare at Studio Square!

** This year saw the beginning of the Studio Square Table – the name I gave the writing workshop started by Jean, and which includes her, me, Alex, and Adam.  It’s been great so far, and I look forward to lots more writing criticism, and enormous mugs of beer with them in the coming year!

** Officially became a Whovian! (that’s a fan of Doctor Who, not, like, a resident of Whoville, or something equally Seussian…)  Great – yet ANOTHER TV show for me to be obsessed with. 

** Discovered the work of writer, Paul Cornell.  Not only do I love his work on Doctor Who, as well as his comics (DARK X-MEN!), but he participates on his blog really actively and seems like such a genuinely nice person.  I look forward to reading more of his in the coming year.

** Thanksgiving at my sister’s place – where it seemed like we’re becoming closer than ever!    Christmas at my brother’s place – also a great time even though the kids ran me ragged.  I lurve my family.    Actually, the holiday season was jam-packed with more parties than I expected!  Christmas Eve saw an impromptu Christmas party happen at my house – Sebastien and Diana cooked an amazing dinner, and we had a bunch of people over, including Ellys, Emily, Mary, Adam, Diana’s friends, Patrick, Sam, Ashley, and some other folks whose names I didn’t catch. Lots of fun, and I got some great gifts, including a very special rubber duckie!  On Christmas Day, I celebrated Jewish Christmas, and hung out w/Adam, Ellys, Emily, Robin, Matt, and Sam to go see Sherlock Holmes, then went back to my house to be met up with by Mary and eat Chinese food while watching Wet, Hot, American Summer.  Also a great night.

** New Year’s Eve spent at Robyn’s new place that she just got with her boyfriend, Jerry, who is cool as all get-out.  Partied with them, Robin and Matt, and Brian and Carl, and made new friends in Maggie, Keith, Roger, and Evelyn. It was a great time.  There’s nothing quite like standing on a roof in the middle of NYC celebrating the new year!  Also, there’s nothing quite like interpretive dance the way Robin and I do it:

Well, that’s it!  WHEW!  This has been a truly eventful year.  Thanks to my wonderful family and all my amazing friends for making it so wonderful.  I love you all. Here’s to a wonderful, exciting, fulfilling 2010 for all of us!