All Eyes on You, 2014

Tonight I kept up with my longstanding tradition of voluntarily spending New Year's alone. A couple of them

My blurry image of this prime, quiet spot for ultimate firework
viewing.

were spent on the dock listening to the neighbors' party guests yell out the countdown, reading Frankenstein in my parents' living room, just flat out asleep, and one or two others. Last year I broke that tradition and spent it with a large crowd of loved peoples, and my first New Year's kiss since I was 14'ish. This year, alone on a milk crate with a 180 degree view of Town Lake and fireworks filling the skyline it felt good to get back into the old ways as lonely as they may be. If there were a duck nearby, I would have grabbed it and given it a kiss.

I am a being of reflection. So much so that I make the reflection of the Tetons over a glacial lake on a still day look blurry. If you've ever questioned my ability to reflect, then you don't know me that well and have obviously never visited this blog before. And that is not to say that I reflect well or in the right direction. But if a day goes by that I have not reflected on it, then it means something bigger must be on my mind.

So naturally New Year's is a time where everyone reflects on their past 364 days.

And naturally I fall into that year after year.

But this year....

Nope.

I know a lot of people that have had a much worse 2013 than I could imagine. It really seems it just has been a tough year for many people. At times it felt like I was wading through glue. 2013 did not really give me much. I moved to a new city and worked full time. That's the gist of it. But really, I didn't receive anything most likely because I didn't give anything either. And with all the people that I have met that are absolutely deserving of good fortune and an easy break, who am I to ask for better? Many out there truly deserve better.

So if I am not reflecting (anymore at least because let's be honest I've been reflecting about 2013 on an hourly basis all year) then what am I doing?

Just trying to keep my head up and move forward because I am sick and tired of getting tossed flaming bags of dog poop every time I attempt to take a step. That's over. Do you hear that, 2014? It's over. 2013 was a bully and now we are playing by my rules, and I promise I will try to return to my passions, inspirations, curiosities, and affections for travel.

If you've had a tough 2013, I am here to state again: 2014 is going to be better. It just has to be.