The Year I Didn't Go to Mississippi
I didn’t intend to start doing these year-in-review style blog posts a couple years ago.
I’m just constantly in my head about things and birthdays and New Years seem to be
good times to reflect. I think there’s something magical about New Years. There is
something nice about being able to close the door on something and open the next.
There is absolutely nothing separating 2019 and 2020 except the construct that we have
created, but I like it nonetheless. I should also address that I purposefully write these
reflects as a highlight reel of sorts. No this year was not all rainbows and sunshine but
that’s part of life so I’m choosing to skip the down times to focus on things I’ve learned
this year.
I’m just constantly in my head about things and birthdays and New Years seem to be
good times to reflect. I think there’s something magical about New Years. There is
something nice about being able to close the door on something and open the next.
There is absolutely nothing separating 2019 and 2020 except the construct that we have
created, but I like it nonetheless. I should also address that I purposefully write these
reflects as a highlight reel of sorts. No this year was not all rainbows and sunshine but
that’s part of life so I’m choosing to skip the down times to focus on things I’ve learned
this year.
So let’s chat 2019. This was supposed to be a year I didn’t move. I made a sweeping
declaration (always wise) when I moved into my apartment in Pittsburgh that I wasn’t moving
again until I was married or dead. Life came along and went “Ha! Hold my beer” and now I
live across the street from that (from what I can tell, still unoccupied) apartment. I gained
two things in that experience which include a beautiful porch perfect for summer cocktails
and the knowledge that if you sound crazy enough while you copy/paste the entire PA
security deposit law in an email, you will receive your security deposit back, in full, no
questions asked. But that move occurred in August, so let’s back up a bit.
declaration (always wise) when I moved into my apartment in Pittsburgh that I wasn’t moving
again until I was married or dead. Life came along and went “Ha! Hold my beer” and now I
live across the street from that (from what I can tell, still unoccupied) apartment. I gained
two things in that experience which include a beautiful porch perfect for summer cocktails
and the knowledge that if you sound crazy enough while you copy/paste the entire PA
security deposit law in an email, you will receive your security deposit back, in full, no
questions asked. But that move occurred in August, so let’s back up a bit.
December 31, 2018 I was in Raleigh, NC. The last time I visited Raleigh was in March.
I miss it there. I met some really wonderful people there. It started to feel like my 2nd
(3rd, 4th? Who knows?) home. I don’t have much else to say about that except that
I’m glad I had the opportunities to make some memories there and ride the scooters
before the government took them away.
I miss it there. I met some really wonderful people there. It started to feel like my 2nd
(3rd, 4th? Who knows?) home. I don’t have much else to say about that except that
I’m glad I had the opportunities to make some memories there and ride the scooters
before the government took them away.
In February I tried to go to Mississippi. I made it to Charlotte, NC and maybe for the first time ever in
history did someone drop someone off at the Pittsburgh airport and then pick them up at the Charlotte
airport 7 hours later. What we learned here is to BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE. I flew from Pittsburgh to
Charlotte, got stranded for a couple hours, cancelled all my tickets, drove to Raleigh with Sam, rented
a car and drove myself back to Pittsburgh and the insurance paid for all of it! Including the rental car!
#LifeLessons
history did someone drop someone off at the Pittsburgh airport and then pick them up at the Charlotte
airport 7 hours later. What we learned here is to BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE. I flew from Pittsburgh to
Charlotte, got stranded for a couple hours, cancelled all my tickets, drove to Raleigh with Sam, rented
a car and drove myself back to Pittsburgh and the insurance paid for all of it! Including the rental car!
#LifeLessons
In March I started a new job. I just had to double check to see if that was true because it feels like I’ve
been there so much longer than that. Every morning (M-F) from 6:15am-9:00am I hang out with about
40 kiddos at a before school program. I started it as a way to make extra money but now I actually
really love it. In March I also learned how to weave my own basket which as it turns out is incredibly
time consuming and requires a lot of patience so it's probably not for me.
been there so much longer than that. Every morning (M-F) from 6:15am-9:00am I hang out with about
40 kiddos at a before school program. I started it as a way to make extra money but now I actually
really love it. In March I also learned how to weave my own basket which as it turns out is incredibly
time consuming and requires a lot of patience so it's probably not for me.
In April, two very exciting things happened. 1. I had an article published in a magazine. It was an
interview with two of my coworkers around a production we did in the fall. As this was on my
30-before-30 list, it was exciting to unexpectedly cross something off. 2. I had my first aerial
performance. I started doing hoop and trapeze when I got to Pittsburgh last year and I was super
scared to perform but life is more interesting if you do things that scare you. I didn’t fall off the hoop.
Sorry to those who are disappointed by that.
Also in April I signed up for Be the Match. This is incredibly simple and potentially life saving so please
look in it and sign up if you can. I was previously banned because of Crohn’s Disease but that has
since been lifted so if you think you can’t sign up, check again. Also in April (good gracious!) my show
choir kiddos had their concert and I celebrated 10 years of choreographing for the show choir. It made
me feel old but I’m currently working on choreography for Punxsy’s first musical, which is so exciting
to me I don’t even have words.
interview with two of my coworkers around a production we did in the fall. As this was on my
30-before-30 list, it was exciting to unexpectedly cross something off. 2. I had my first aerial
performance. I started doing hoop and trapeze when I got to Pittsburgh last year and I was super
scared to perform but life is more interesting if you do things that scare you. I didn’t fall off the hoop.
Sorry to those who are disappointed by that.
Also in April I signed up for Be the Match. This is incredibly simple and potentially life saving so please
look in it and sign up if you can. I was previously banned because of Crohn’s Disease but that has
since been lifted so if you think you can’t sign up, check again. Also in April (good gracious!) my show
choir kiddos had their concert and I celebrated 10 years of choreographing for the show choir. It made
me feel old but I’m currently working on choreography for Punxsy’s first musical, which is so exciting
to me I don’t even have words.
In May I took my brother to see Adam Savage at Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures and I thought he might
die from pure excitement. If you hear some explosions coming from the Leechburg area, I’m sure
everything is fine. Also in May (the 16th to be exact) something happened that has never before
happened in my life. I looked in the mirror and liked the way my arms looked. We’ve all got our body
crap right? I have always hated how my upper arms look and therefore have tried to hide them in
every photo I’ve ever taken. Courtesy of aerial I liked my arms for the first time ever, so I took a
picture of myself feeling fierce.
In May my donating blood ban was lifted (you can’t donate blood if you received a tattoo in PA in the
past year), so I gave blood. I’m back on the banned list. More on that in a sec. Also Erie Zoo.
I had a lot of quality animal time this year and it renewed my childhood love of wildlife.
die from pure excitement. If you hear some explosions coming from the Leechburg area, I’m sure
everything is fine. Also in May (the 16th to be exact) something happened that has never before
happened in my life. I looked in the mirror and liked the way my arms looked. We’ve all got our body
crap right? I have always hated how my upper arms look and therefore have tried to hide them in
every photo I’ve ever taken. Courtesy of aerial I liked my arms for the first time ever, so I took a
picture of myself feeling fierce.
Clearly 2019 was not the year I started making my bed.
In May my donating blood ban was lifted (you can’t donate blood if you received a tattoo in PA in the
past year), so I gave blood. I’m back on the banned list. More on that in a sec. Also Erie Zoo.
We maybe spent 30 minutes at the rhino pen saying "I can't believe I get to share a planet with you!"
I had a lot of quality animal time this year and it renewed my childhood love of wildlife.
June! So many trips. I spent a weekend in Miami with some of the folks I work with at the TCG
conference. It was warm and lovely. Then I came home, ended my year and a half long relationship
(yes that’s all I have to say about that. Shit happens.), and went to Tennessee with my family where I
spent the week ziplining, and riding small carts down big mountains, seeing more awesome animals
at the aquarium, etc.
I also took a side trip to Asheville, NC because it’s one of my fav places in world and I was too close
not to go. Micah is 100% responsible for my love of this place. Just to give credit where credit is due.
As I pulled into my parking spot in Pittsburgh (lol I don’t have a parking spot, it was the street) my car
hit 100,000 miles. I bought this car in July 2015 with 8 miles on it. We’ve done some damage in the
last four years. She’s also paid off now so let’s hope we can hit 200,000 before I have to buy a new
car. I don't care if it is good storytelling, I will not be pleased if next year I'm writing about my new
car...
conference. It was warm and lovely. Then I came home, ended my year and a half long relationship
(yes that’s all I have to say about that. Shit happens.), and went to Tennessee with my family where I
spent the week ziplining, and riding small carts down big mountains, seeing more awesome animals
at the aquarium, etc.
I also took a side trip to Asheville, NC because it’s one of my fav places in world and I was too close
not to go. Micah is 100% responsible for my love of this place. Just to give credit where credit is due.
As I pulled into my parking spot in Pittsburgh (lol I don’t have a parking spot, it was the street) my car
hit 100,000 miles. I bought this car in July 2015 with 8 miles on it. We’ve done some damage in the
last four years. She’s also paid off now so let’s hope we can hit 200,000 before I have to buy a new
car. I don't care if it is good storytelling, I will not be pleased if next year I'm writing about my new
car...
July brought a lot of visiting friends. I made a trip to Philly. My dad and I discovered our love of
outdoor concerts.
In July I also decided to start dating. Buckle up friends. It’s a wild ride. I’ve never really dated. I’ve
always either been in a relationship that I happened to stumble into and stayed or I was happily
single. I never felt a need to actively date until this moment. I tried dating “in the wild” (no internet
required). During this time I decided that I need to write a dating memoir entitled
“Stay Hydrated: It’s Rough Out There” (shoutout Rachel). Wow. I don’t even have time. What people
think is acceptable to say and do is astonishing. The amount of men that are threatened in 2019
because I as a women don’t “need them” is appalling. I’ll save the rest. You can read it in my book.
outdoor concerts.
In July I also decided to start dating. Buckle up friends. It’s a wild ride. I’ve never really dated. I’ve
always either been in a relationship that I happened to stumble into and stayed or I was happily
single. I never felt a need to actively date until this moment. I tried dating “in the wild” (no internet
required). During this time I decided that I need to write a dating memoir entitled
“Stay Hydrated: It’s Rough Out There” (shoutout Rachel). Wow. I don’t even have time. What people
think is acceptable to say and do is astonishing. The amount of men that are threatened in 2019
because I as a women don’t “need them” is appalling. I’ll save the rest. You can read it in my book.
I’m realizing I’m skipping all the shows I’ve seen this year. It’s so many and if I start I’ll have to write
my opinions about every show. Nobody wants to read that. I’ll include a list at the bottom for
everyone’s safety.
my opinions about every show. Nobody wants to read that. I’ll include a list at the bottom for
everyone’s safety.
September started with a giant block party at work and it was really frickin’ cool. And exhausting.
That rolled right into the first show of the season and we’ve been go go going ever since. I also made
a trip to Kripalu Yoga center with my mom and got a tattoo with my cousin (hence being banned from
giving blood again). It’s my fourth and dare I say final tattoo? We’ll see.
Those are tan lines on my feet. I know. They're intense.
That rolled right into the first show of the season and we’ve been go go going ever since. I also made
a trip to Kripalu Yoga center with my mom and got a tattoo with my cousin (hence being banned from
giving blood again). It’s my fourth and dare I say final tattoo? We’ll see.
End of October/early November I decided to give online dating a try. After extensive research I landed
on Hinge and let the madness begin. I decided if I’m going to do this, I best do it right. Enter 14 dates
in 14 days. Oh boy. The book wrote itself. Let me say that the vast majority of people I met were
incredibly kind and interesting people, but dating is weird and people are so different and if it do it to
yourself every single day when you previously did it never you will be tired and slightly confused.
Also in October I watched a 1,100lb pumpkin fall from a crane into a kiddie pool. This is significant.
It’s exactly as satisfying as you’d hope. November brought me back to Miami (it was cold this time
and also I was terribly sick. It was rough and I most definitely infected Joel. sorry friend) and then
back to Philly for the SHARP show and then the Christmas madness started. My mom and I hit every
Christmas themed activity we could think of. Zero regrets here.
on Hinge and let the madness begin. I decided if I’m going to do this, I best do it right. Enter 14 dates
in 14 days. Oh boy. The book wrote itself. Let me say that the vast majority of people I met were
incredibly kind and interesting people, but dating is weird and people are so different and if it do it to
yourself every single day when you previously did it never you will be tired and slightly confused.
Also in October I watched a 1,100lb pumpkin fall from a crane into a kiddie pool. This is significant.
It’s exactly as satisfying as you’d hope. November brought me back to Miami (it was cold this time
and also I was terribly sick. It was rough and I most definitely infected Joel. sorry friend) and then
back to Philly for the SHARP show and then the Christmas madness started. My mom and I hit every
Christmas themed activity we could think of. Zero regrets here.
This year also included lots of gymnastics and aerial which you can catch in my one second every
day video that will be posted on the 1st. If you haven't heard of this app, it’s really an incredible way
for you to see everything that happened during the year. There’s so many things you can forget.
Mainly what I remember from this year is spending time with my family and laughing with my friends.
A bunch of my childhood friends are finally all in the same location for the first time in ten years. It’s
really great to have them back in my life on a regular basis.
I was able to reconnect with some folks I lost touch with which is always a pleasure as well. I also
met some new people who have brought new joy. It’s a wild ride. Here’s to 2020!
day video that will be posted on the 1st. If you haven't heard of this app, it’s really an incredible way
for you to see everything that happened during the year. There’s so many things you can forget.
Mainly what I remember from this year is spending time with my family and laughing with my friends.
A bunch of my childhood friends are finally all in the same location for the first time in ten years. It’s
really great to have them back in my life on a regular basis.
I was able to reconnect with some folks I lost touch with which is always a pleasure as well. I also
met some new people who have brought new joy. It’s a wild ride. Here’s to 2020!
Organizations I’ve volunteered for this year:
American Red Cross
Shows and Concerts I’ve seen this year:
- Hamilton - National Tour
- The Tempest - Pittsburgh Public Theater
- Where Did We Sit on the Bus? - City Theatre
- Trevor Noah Loud & Clear Tour - Raleigh, NC
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - national tour
- The Great Gatsby - Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
- 669 - SHARP Dance Company
- Blake Sheldon: Friends and Heros Tour (The Bellamy Brothers, Lauren Alaina, John Anderson, Trace Atkins) - PPG Arena
- 42ft A menagerie of mechnical marvels - Cirque Mechanics - Byham
- The Roommate - City Theatre
Multiple Universes Exhibition - Brew House Association
- Come From Away - National Tour
- Punxsutawney High School Show Choir/Music Theatre
- Iron City Circus Arts Student Showcase - ICCA
- The Burdens - City Theatre
- Every Tool’s a Hammer: Adam Savage - Pittsburgh Arts and Lecture
- We Are Among Us - City Theatre
- Dear Evan Hansen - National Tour
- Thomas Rhett very hot summer tour (dustin lynch, Rhett atkins, russell dickerson) -Keybank Pavilion
- PBT Summer Concert Series - Hartwood Acres Park
- Florida Georgia Line can’t say I ain’t country tour (dan + shay, morgan wallen, hardy) - Keybak Pavilion
- Cambodian Rock Band - City Theatre
- Mean Girls - National Tour
- Aquarian Exposition - SHARP; Dance Company
- One Night in Miami - City Theatre
- A Bronx Tale - National Tour
- Fallingwater + Monmade Design Residency - Brewhouse Association
- Poinsettias & Pointe Shoes - PBT - Phipps Conservatory
- The Nutcracker - Iron City Circus Arts
- The Carols - Off the Wall Productions
- The Santaland Diaries - City Theatre
- A Yinzer Yuletide - Pittsburgh Public Theater
- Straight No Chaser - Benedum Center
- The Nutcracker - Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
Books I’ve read this year:
- Barrel-aged stout and selling out: Goose Island, Anheuser-busch and how craft beer became big business - Josh Noel
- This is for the Women Who Don't Give a Fuck - Janine Robinson
- No Matter the Wreckage - Sarah Kay
- It Happens to Strong People Too - Kael Kai
- A Spark of Light - Jodi Picoult
- The Next Person You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom
- The Day The World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander Newfoundland - Jim DeFede
- Date and Time - Phil Kaye
- Every Word You Cannot Say - Iain S. Thomas
- The Truth About Magic - Atticus
- This is the Love You Deserve - Thought Catalog
- A Dream About Lightening Bugs - Ben Folds
- Love Lives Here - Maria Goff
Places I visited:
- Raleigh, NC
- Philadelphia, PA
- New York, NY
- Charlotte, NC
- Jackson, MS - OH WAIT NO I DIDN’T
- Erie, PA
- Miami, FL
- Hedgesville, WV
- Pigeon Forge, TN
- Asheville, NC
- Berkshires, MA
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