I had planned on writing a New Year’s post on the eve or the day of, but it didn’t happen. I had also planned on sharing the books I received this Christmas, but it didn’t happen. To be fair to myself I wasn’t here on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day nor even the Friday before. I wasn’t here the day after Christmas either. The holidays always consist of me running around, like a chicken with its head cut off, to various family member’s homes. This year included a close friend’s house too. My daughter and I spent New Year’s Eve at his home, with his family (who are like family to me). Can you believe we’ve known each other for 24 years? The concept was mind-boggling to my daughter, especially when I put it terms of school–I first met my friend in the seventh grade. I told my daughter this when she herself was still in the seventh grade, so you can imagine the look of disbelief on her face.
I rung in the New Year playing my first ever Dungeons & Dragons board game, The Wrath of Ashardalon. I’d like to buy one of these games for my daughter and I to play–that’s how much fun we had.
We spent the rest of the early morning hours watching Paranormal Activity (a first for my daughter) and then passing out in our beds to wake up much too early four hours later… I’m still a little fuzzy headed and I can’t begin to think about goals and plans for 2012, but if I had to choose a theme for 2012 it would be to move past fear, especially the fear of making mistakes. Neil Gaiman wrote this on his blog:
I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.
Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.
So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.
Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do it.
Make your mistakes, next year and forever.
I think I can manage that. 😉
Highlights from 2011
Top Post in 2011
Worldbuilders 2011
I donated to Heifer International via Patrick Rothfuss’ Worldbuilders 2011 team.
Story a Day 2011 Contest
My short story (Evaluation M-047) was read by a former editor at Writer’s Digest and NYT best selling author Heidi W. Durrow (author of The Girl Who Fell From The Sky). I won Honorable Mention!
GalleyCat Annual Pet Parade
Attack Cat was featured in the annual Pet Parade reading my copy of Raven’s Ladder by Jeffrey Overstreet.
IndieGoGo
My IndieGoGo campaign to save my laptop and essentially my studio was a HUGE success. I can’t thank enough all the people who donated and helped me promote my campaign. You’re all wonderful!
Amanda Makepeace's Imagination Run Amok 
Did you put together – arrange – all the games and game pieces and then photograph the result? If so, then that’s brilliant. Very artistic too Amanda. From my dashboard it looks like a watercolor pallet … or the like. Also, I like your very real personal share. Aaaah friends and friendships that last.
Plus I like the NG share … maybe I ought to be following his blog too (?) Naw, I have enough on my “To Do” pile.
I raise my glass to you and yours (& it’s always at least a half full glass! lol.)
May you receive an abundance of hugs this year. Virtual hug comin’ atcha now. 🙂
Sadly, I cannot take credit for that photo of the game. LOL It is a very cool image. Thanks for the virtual hug!!
oops, beautiful oops (have u seen the kid’s board book with that name? it’s cool.)