I won’t bore you with the traditional year-end wrap up like most other blogs/magazines/programs will. Not because I want to be edgy or different, but because I don’t feel I’ll have much else to add outside of what the others all listed. Instead, I will take a few minutes just to talk to all of you out there on this New Year’s Eve and look to the world, both back and ahead, and share some thoughts and feelings.
First of all, it has been a pleasure writing here for everyone. Hopefully everyone has enjoyed what I’ve been able to write as much as I enjoyed writing things. I wish I could have continued the pace I started out with, but life happened and, sadly, this had to take a backseat. That isn’t fair to all of you and I want to make sure 2012 sees to it that I do a bit more regular writing, even if it is some shorter, less in-depth type of work.
Second, 2011 has truly been a wild ride of a year. It had plenty of lows, but also had an incredible amount of highs. Personally, it was a solid year for me. I was finally able to get hired doing the job I love as well as move ahead with many aspects of my life that were on hold.
It was a strange year, too. I’ve spent the last few weeks trying to get my inner self straight. Finally, after many years, I’ve been able to let go of some of the baggage and unpleasantness I’ve been carrying with me for years. I haven’t really been able to enjoy the freedom that comes with releasing myself from those shackles, but I know I’ll come to appreciate it soon. Speaking more specifically, I finally came to terms with a few people (ex girlfriends who did me wrong and I never really got closure) and have been able to move beyond through a variety of means/events. I finally felt vindicated. I finally was able to get a sense of justice in the world and I have, at long last, been able to set those ghosts free.
I don’t you to think that I’m just ignoring those parts of my life. These people were tremendously important to me then and now, but not for the same reasons. People come into and fall out of our lives all the time. These women were important then and I want to thank them for teaching me some things about life. I’ll never forget them. But now it’s time to give my sign off to them and wish them “good night, and good luck.”
2011 saw me make some new friends and some new enemies. Unfortunately, I’m a person with a big, strong personality and sometimes it can get the best of me. Earlier in the year (about the time that I started this blog) I got into a beef with the guys over at the Pensblog and we all said some things we didn’t entirely mean. I don’t fully agree with some of the things they say or do, but the internet is a pretty big place and we can both co-exist peacefully. With the troubles the Penguins have been facing, the last thing the team and the fanbase needs is a bunch of in-fighting among the blogs. Really, it’s the internet. I know we like to pretend it’s serious business, but it’s more important for us to come together and support our team. We can disagree on players and how things should be done, but it ultimately boils down to supporting the skating penguin on the front of the jersey, not the name on the back or the guys behind the benches and desks of the team. The Pens are our team, ride or die. I fully suspect Derek (of tPB) and I will continue to give one another the business, but that is ultimately what the internet is for.
As I mentioned numerous times over the last few months, I moved to a new state and started a new job. It’s been a whirlwind, honest and true, but I couldn’t be happier having done so. Moving out of PA really gave me a chance to hit the reset button on life and start over. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t lonely from time to time, but that’s bound to happen in a new town/state. I love teaching and I want to get better and better each year. I think I did a decent job of things this semester, but I have a lot of improvements I can make.
In general, 2011 was a strange, but good, year, and I look forward to what 2012 brings. I know Griggsy is looking forward to a fresh start and getting the blog back on track. God love him.
Most importantly, though – thanks to all of you who read the blog and commented and followed on Twitter.
Happy 2012, folks. See you on the other side.
Avoid the Clap 
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