Hello, Goodbye

I'm resurrecting a theme I've used before.

I just read my 12-31-07 post and I decided that I once again need to write down a list of my best and worst experiences

This list was tough to put together mostly because I spent so much time working, that I almost made it the Top 6. There's only so much good and bad stuff about financing car warranties.

But without further ado, before I head out to a house party, drink too much, and make silly calls at midnight, here are me:

TOP 10 BEST AND WORST MOMENTS OF 2008.

(in a new format, yay!)

5. Worst - Calling Out a Good Friend and Knowing it Hurt Her: After a series of unreturned phone calls, texts, and instant messages, I wrote a lengthy, honest, and, quite frankly, scathing email to one of my best friends. I had had enough and I thought "hard truths" would get through. They did, but I can't help but think and know that it hurt her. And knowing I could hurt someone with words that much just doesn't sit right with me.

5. Best - Landing a Steady Job: This time last year, I was unemployed. And by some dumb luck, I got a temp job that turned into a permanent position complete with vacation days, insurance, and even time & half overtime. It's not my dream job, but it's very relaxed and the pay is not terrible. Even though I get up at 6am Monday through Friday, it feels good to know I can still pay bills.

4. Worst - Making Bad Choices with Men: While last year I was proud of my freedom of sexuality, this year it all came back to slap me in the face (as it should.) Being single means being lonely. And when times get desperate, one makes stupid choices. From one night stands to sleeping with "friends." I'm not quite regretful, but let's just say I could have thought twice.

4. Best - Finally Getting That Tattoo: The day after Thanksgiving, I hopped on my bike, went down to, Insight Studios, and the next day, I was sitting in a chair for 5 hours while a needle was repeatedly stabbed in my arm by a dude named Ryan. The tattoo is not done and it will be a month or so before I can get it finished, but this beauty on my arm makes me smile every day.

3. Worst - Drinking Too Much/Gaining Weight - I was not a light weight last year. And it got worse this year. I could down a 750 ml of gin in a week if you asked me too. I started drinking every night with dinner. I thought it helped me escape the boredom of my job. Instead, I put on a good 10-15 pounds that I still have yet to lose. To say it's depressing is an understatement.

3. Best - Trips to Cedar Point and My First Ever White Sox Game - Due to a summer romance with a dude with a car, I was finally able to do a few fun things. This included taking a weekend to drive to Ohio to ride a 420 foot rollercoaster as well as blowing almost $100 seeing dudes hit a ball with bats while getting insanely sunburnt. Even with red skin, I had an amazing summer.

2. Worst - Getting Dumped, TWICE! - Dude number one simply stopped returning my calls and then basically denied me into his house by pulling the old "not ready for a relationship" card at 1am with freezing rain in February. Dude number two sent me an email that I recieved at work. I've cried at work for multiple reasons but never for a dude. In the end, it's better this way but I was hurt, plain and simple. They say you should have your heart broken when you are a teenager. Because when you are 22, it's a lot harder to deal with that and regular life.

2. Best - Moving to Logan Square: Living in Pilsen is like living in Eastern Europe. Sure everything is super cheap and you are close to a bakery, but in the end, no one wants to visit you and everyone thinks you are smelly and weird for staying there. Once I moved to Northwest side of Chicago, half a block off the arguably busiest street in the city, I found myself seeing friends more often, going out more often, and meeting even more people. Thank you, Logan Square.

1. Worst - Four Bike Accidents resulting in 2 ER Trips, 1 Destroyed Bike, and Multiple Fractures: Accident number 1: St. Patricks Day 2008. A pedestrian jumps a median to run to a bar. I barely miss him but he decides to grab me so I fall over. One bloodied shirt, one ripped jacket, and a new scar on my right arm. Accident number 2: Early July 2008. Riding on Milwaukee. Passing a fellow cyclist when he decides to turn left into me causing me to fall into the middle of the street. Eight hours in the E/R and more scars on my left arm. Accident number 3: Early November 2008. Half a block from my house, I take my usual short cut to Milwaukee down a one way street. The wrong way. Head on collision with a sedan. Destroyed the front wheel, fork, and frame. I walked away with only a huge bump on my right leg and a huge dent in my left leg (still there.) Accident number 4: Early December. Too many drinks at a bar later plus ice and dropping temps equal me waking up at a hospital with a police report about a Range Rover hitting me, a severely out of true front wheel, two broken ribs, a fractured left scapula, and a fracture in my left knee. Two weeks in the burbs, out of work, and just now walking away. I still plan on getting back on the bikes.

1. Best - Having Amazing Friends and an Amazing 23rd Birthday: As you may recall, my birthday last year included me, one friend, and a boy I had just met at a bar (after I sat alone for an hour.) This year, I had a grill with home made burgers, a kiddie pool full of over 100 cans of beers, and a night full of more than 40 people coming in and out. I also reconnected with an old friend and spent an amazing weekend in Milwaukee. I also made a couple new friends who I can't imagine my life without while at the same time, somehow maintaining contact with my old ones as well. If it wasn't for my friends, I would not be where I am today. From my roommates, to the girls who go to brunch with me, to the bike riding community that truly does help each other out (and maybe even find you a date.)

So with less than 4 hours remaining in 2008, I want to give a toast to the year that brought us Obama, Twitter, and the best city in the world, Chicago.

I do have resolutions this year. And I plan on sticking to them, unlike last year.
But my superstitious side refuses to type them out.

Here's to you 2008.
You came in like a lamb and out like a lion.
Welcome 2009.
Do me proud.