I started working on my New Year’s resolution to swim half a mile, then practice straddle splits in the dry sauna about a week into January. I hadn’t planned to change from my milelong swim goal until I was actually in the pool and the goal no longer motivated me. That had been last year’s goal, which I’d achieved, but now that I’d accomplished it, the thrill was gone. I reached the straddle splits goal sooner than I thought and started conditioning to put my leg behind my head AKA Compass Pose.
Along with a new workout goal, of course I added a new activity: axe throwing. This was originally part of a social group outing, but when the host cancelled, I went by myself. Some friends had told me how relaxing the sport was while my capoeira friends congratulated my preparation for when society collapsed. Although I enjoyed the experience, I wouldn’t do it again until months later when my nephew came into town.
For this year’s Galentine’s Day celebration, but I convinced two friends to go indoor skydiving with me. They’d always wanted to try, but had never gotten around to it. Social Organizer Teresa to the rescue! I’d only done it one time before, so they made me go first since I had “more experience.” This time around, I got to soar to the very top on my third trip up. Afterwards, one friend wanted to jump out of a real plane and the other wanted to return the next day. Um, no and perhaps later, as in the following year around the same time.
At the end of March, I finished my six-month online study for my pharmacy tech license. The part I hated the most was cramming facts about 600 medications although I came up with some fun mnemonics: OMG, Al gave Dara herpes. [Generic: imiquimod; Brand: Aldara; Class: Antiviral; Indication: genital herpes]. Cold Chics Cry about gout. [Generic: Colchicine; Brand: Colcrys; Class: Anti-gout; Indication: Gout].
All that studying and rote memorization paid off in the beginning of April when I passed the pharmacy tech exam with 95%. A few weeks later, we celebrated all the April birthdays: my father, sister, nephew and niece.
In May, I secured a new position at work as a training assistant. Once a teacher, always a teacher. Then for Mother’s Day, I treated Mom and my sister, who’s also a mother, to brunch. We strolled around the block for a wine tasting afterwards.
I started off June with a weekend visit to our timeshare at Myrtle Beach. My parents have had that timeshare for nearly 30 years. They finally ended the contract; so I’m glad I got to chill there one last time.
I absolutely loved this year’s Strange family reunion at the end of June. Not only did I interview 21 relatives, resulting in the best (and longest) episode of the “Strange Family Folklore” podcast to date, but we finally included one of my favorite pastimes, dressing up. Our theme was to dress as your favorite decade. My 60s costume transformed me radically since I wore an Afro wig. Relatives who’d known me all my life, didn’t recognize me.
In July, I took a phenomenal two-week vacation in Ghana, prompting me to work on an 18-week writing project spread over 16 blog posts about the experience. This was the first time I’d written a series since starting my weekly blog in 2011. https://www.mathdreads.com/?cat=42
Continuing my pole fitness journey, I started taking a choreography flow class, then spin pole in August. After finally learning to engage my shoulders, I upped my game by taking two pole classes a week: spin and intro to inverts. At this rate, perhaps I’ll stop looking as if I’m undergoing a military drill and start looking as if I’m actually dancing. After all, pole class is just as strenuous as when I trained for capoeira.
During my birthday celebration, I invited my yoga teacher to “throw 5s,” representing my 55th year on this planet.
Afterwards, my family feasted on takeout, mainly because I wanted those tasty biscuits. Absolutely delicious although the restaurant surprised us with three styles of potatoes: mashed, fried and baked.
Of course I paired the meal with a glass of cabernet just before jetting off to my glorious 90-min full body massage.
I invited the massage therapist to “throw 5s” prior to the massage.
Never one to miss an opportunity to dress up, I used half of an Ahsoka costume to attend a Renaissance Faire fundraiser. Proceeds went toward a tiny home for an adult on the autism spectrum, so he could live independently.
Once again, we attended the Southeastern Regional Poetry Slam. At a smaller venue, but still packed the place with 11 powerful performances. The energy was through the roof. Almost made me wish I was still producing my own theme-inspired spoken word and storytelling show.
If I’d actually feared a long line on the last day of early voting for the primary, I didn’t have to worry or adjust my plans too much. I strongly believe in doing my civic duty prior to the collapse of civilization.
Oktoberfest turned out to be quieter than expected, but at least the food and cider were good.
I’ve never been a big fan of beer, but this selection intrigued me. We all sampled them a weekend at a time.
Not more than 100 yards away from “Oktoberfest” was another outdoor event with even more food options.
Not a moment too soon, Halloween season officially began with my first costume, Foxy Brown, at the Pole-O-Ween event.
For the first time ever, I attended downtown Fayetteville’s Zombie Walk. My sister and I had the right idea: put our names on the waitlist for our favorite Italian restaurant, then stroll to check out all the other costumes.
Since Halloween fell on a Friday this year, I ended the week with a partial zombie costume for my virtual training group. Only two of my trainees wore a head decoration, but everyone raised at least a RAWR claw.
Never impressed with all the Christmas decorations after Halloween, we made the best of the backdrop for our group yoga and wine picture.
Speaking of wine, I was in no mood to prepare a side dish for Thanksgiving. Instead, I prepped my jacket with a half bottle of red and my infamous silver chalice.
Like a bad cliche, the day after Thanksgiving, while everyone else celebrated Black Friday, we were among the unfortunate observers of Brown Friday. The half bathroom in the lower part of the house, near the laundry room and my bedroom, flooded. In exploring the plumbing problem, they discovered an asbestos problem. I was like the woman in the bubble, having to unzip and zip up two temporary plastic doors to go to and from my bedroom. The silver linings: 1) getting my steps and squats in, coming and going to my bedroom; 2) the peacefulness of the nearby laundromat; and 3) still finding occasions to play dress up!
First dress-up occasion: watching a live performance where dancers dressed up as characters from popular children’s stories. One of my friends danced as the Cheshire Cat.
For the second costume opportunity, I dressed as the only Black Who from Whoville at a Christmas-themed dance performance. Always a good time, especially with my “fancy” wine jacket. In other words, I stuffed my small wine bottle and chalice into the pockets of a faux fur coat.
No Christmas season would be complete without our annual Strange Family Reunion Virtual Christmas party, where, once again, I brought home the gold!
Finally, two days after Christmas on Saturday, or on Day Two of Kwanzaa, Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), all the family gathered together in the living room to watch a short film, Abundance Blessings, that I’d gifted to the family. I’d sworn off giving materialistic gifts back in 2022 and have focused on family events instead.
