It wasn’t all tragic

While I may casually refer to 2021 as a “dumpster fire” or similar, it wasn’t really that bad for me, personally. Globally? Still a dumpster fire. My anxiety spikes any time I think about the climate emergency that every government is ignoring as they continue to wine and dine big oil and other climate destroying industries and companies. We had that whole Billionaires In Space nonsense. All levels of government keep forgetting that they signed on to Truth and Reconcilliation and just keep making things awful for Indigenous folks. In addition to racism, we are still fighting fascism (and several other isms) on far too many fronts. And of course the whole COVID situation. SIGH.

But for me? This year wasn’t awful. Here’s a few of the bright spots that kept me going while we stumbled through the various concurrent crises.

1. Erin came into my life.
   We met through one of the apps in late January and spent a couple of weeks chatting online and over video before we decided that an in-person date was worth the risk. We went to the Vicious Poodle and things have continued to be comfortable on that front ever since. I honestly don’t think anything else helped me as much as her companionship has this year.
2. I did get to be on stage again.
   I was in the first show produced at the VEC once they reopened and took part in a show in November. I also got back on the open mic but it was short lived and I have back burnered stand-up for now. Oh, and I was finally able to get a drag video from concept to YouTube and it still makes me smile!
3. Speaking of YouTube..
   I also kicked off my 52 Moments series which I’ve been slacking away from this past month but I do have plans to get back to it. This series is basically an about me — one video for every year as I turned 52 in June.
4. More art!
   I bought more art, adding to my local artists collection, and I made more art. I’m proudest of the embroidered bee with lavender that I made for Fran; I still use a photo of it for my lockscreen on my phone.
5. More union hats
   I’ve been a union activist for many years but had scaled back — this year I am back on my bullshit, stepping up to more regional and provincial roles.
6. Did a 5K!
   On a bit of a whim, I signed up for a 5K (walk/run) — it was virtual, and Fran signed up with me. We did it together in about an hour. To train for this, I did more walking in the fall and bought a tracker watch that also tracks my sleep and a few other things. And this year, for the first time in a long while, my blood pressure is finally where it needs to be! I’m gonna do another 5K in April.
7. Put on my Photographer hat again
   Erin and I started attending wrestling matches where I took photos then I got invited to be one of two photographers for a Fatale Productions show in October and a Pervz and Curvz show in December. Felt really good to flex those muscles.
8. So Many Movies.
   Became part of a local movie nerd community. Synchronized Netflixing while chatting with Erin for som of our early dates. Watched a lot of noir films for #noirvember. Went back to the cinema (with Erin) to see a first run movie (Nightmare Alley) on the big screen after 20 months away. Ran myself a little “Fake Band Film Fest” for Christmas & Boxing Day. Film did a lot to sustain me this year.