Memories and Milestones of 2024
Before diving headfirst into 2025, I wanted to take a look back at the rest of 2024 that I have yet to reflect on. So humor me as I reminisce on old happenings and old thoughts.
One thing I realized that I hate about my life balance is how I always make a lame attempt to have a much needed lazy day only for it to end up turning into a work/chore day with fleeting moments of actually doing what I want, which is absolutely nothing. As a result, I’m more wound up than unwound, and I consider my day of relaxation a failure. I aim to work on this for the sake of my health and wellbeing this year, and I’m grateful to Caleb for finally making me have a day like this last year. I look forward to more future days where I can do absolutely nothing important! #SelfCare
Honestly, sometimes it takes me being sick to understand that I need to slow down and rest. And so I finally did when I dog sat for some friends. I sniffled and relaxed my butt off, and got lots of doggy cuddles in the process. I also binged watched and caught up on some good shows. Though I know I got sick as a result of spreading myself too thin, I still had a great time. Even though I wish I would have left time to take down my Fall decorations and actually put up my tree before Christmas, of course. This year I vow to do this, but it’s safe to say that last year got away from me.
Another thing I struggled with was that feeling of changing and growing when the world and people around me don’t seem to be doing that. I know everyone has their own path, but sometimes the weight of this can really bring me down. I always hope that people can find their way, so I guess that’s why I’m so sensitive about it because I care so much and I wish I could share the wonderful feelings I’ve felt on my own journey.
I’m also not proud of how I voted on election day and then I fried my brain with election coverage. All. Day. Long. It was unnecessary and draining, and I won’t get into whether or not I went to bed disappointed or elated that night. But the next day I got a touching email about self care with kind words that literally brought me to tears as I tried to get back to my life. I also got misty eyed watching John Oliver’s show around this time, and realized how emotional the state of the world made me last year. After suffering through the replays of victory and concession speeches, some pizza and Rocket League was just what I needed after the longest, weirdest, saddest week I’ve had in a long time.
Some things that comically or just truly agitate me beyond words are as follows: Oilers player Connor McDavid’s face, all the USAA commercials with Gronk and how little they make sense, how I still justify watching the Cowboys even though it was the most laughable season last year and nothing is going to change next year, how DUMB the Birds movie was, the 4 Hours at the Capitol documentary, a stranger’s oblivion to boundaries on an aircraft when they’re sitting next to me with legs splayed with their elbow in my ribs, how all those famous criminals got away with it so long, and finally when people have nothing better to than to rate and complain about books or movies that haven’t even come out yet.
In more positive news, I got my 10th stamp at The Process and I got to sign the member wall! I’d like to get to 100 visits this year if I can, and actually go to structured writing/work sessions on weekdays instead of just showing up to the fun stuff at night. But there’s so many fun events, including a really fun one last year called Hocus Focus, where we did a writing session by candlelight and wore witchy attire and hats. It’s safe to say that next time I’ll definitely be working on my Surface instead of with pen and paper. I don’t know how people did it in the days of old. Probably with more than one candle for starters. On a side note, I love showing up to a creative space with likeminded people who you can really connect with in regards to your craft or even worldly matters without judgment. I’m also glad that I went to my favorite writing lock-in event before the holiday break and got a last creative push in doing what I love before the new year. Upon upping my membership at the start of this year, I look forward to many more events where I can meet new people and create a healthy creative process.
I went to my first farmers market ever with Caleb and some friends and had the best time “front porch sittin’” at their house afterwards. I like those lazy days and afternoons filled with carefree conversation and fair weather. I went to a fall festival with the same friends - including our dear friend from Texas - and had a super fun ghost and cowgirl photoshoot. I also realized later that night that, at my age, bar hopping always sounds good until it actually happens. When 11PM feels like 2AM, I can’t begin to describe what actual 2AM feels like to this old soul. I loved throwing my lame/fun/small annual Halloween party with these friends too, where we dressed up, had pizza and soda floats and we carved pumpkins in my tiny apartment while watching the Charlie Brown and Garfield Halloween specials. Morticia Addams made her fourth year appearance, and I just don’t know when being her will get old.
I’m grateful for QuikTrip, because without it, I wouldn’t have access to my favorite flavored Smart Water that I can’t live without. I’m grateful for that time I got cozy clothes from Caleb and we built a couch nest of blankets and pillows and we watched Nerd Forge videos, while he worked on his art and I read him my latest short stories. This is honestly good vibes all around, and one of my happiest places. I’m grateful for my irrational and romantic love for steak in any form, for without it I wouldn’t have been given the endearing nickname “My Little Carnivore” from Caleb. I’m grateful for lazy mornings filled with breakfast, coffee and either YouTube videos or morning cartoons with Caleb as well.
I love cooking and announcing The First Chili of Autumn, football, hockey, and decorating. I also love how unique and amazing yet unfulfilling Studio Ghibli movies always seem. Like somehow there’s an element that misses the mark entirely that I had in my mind. I always enjoy a well written spooky short story, and a good Inktober. Lovecraft Country thoroughly disturbed and inspired me in equal measure the past Halloween season, and I definitely watched way too many movies and listened to too much music in October, to the point where I’m almost considering a break next year.
I absolutely love reading before bed. It’s the most quiet and pure time I’ve found to catch up on my latest series. Another absolute love last year was the best earworm song ever, “Surefire” by Wilderado. I just listened to it on repeat all afternoon and it slapped every time. I also absolutely love cold drizzly mornings at my favorite coffee shop, where peacoats and sweaters are a vibe, and so is the Twilight Saga playlist that the barista picked out that I totally jammed out to. Another priceless feeling is cabin prep vibes, when Caleb and I know we’re about to escape to nature. This is the place where we have the chance to sit and talk in a remote location with no internet, a place where we can actually bond and do things we wouldn’t normally get to do with all our normal distractions.
Among other things that I absolutely love are the calmness and inspiration that instrumental piano playlists bring me when I’m deep in creative work, and unexpected calls from friends. I especially loved visiting my old coffee shop in Texas at Thanksgiving, and seeing my regular barista in my old stomping grounds. I also loved attending a friend’s wedding last year, where I thoroughly enjoyed meeting new and fun people. At Christmastime, I love the excitement I get when I’m shopping for friends and family, and I can hardly contain my joy and the future joy I know I’ll feel once the gifts get open and I make someone smile. There’s also no better feeling than finally being home from holidays and long road trips, unpacking like you own the place because you forgot that you do since you haven’t had a chance to be there for more than five days since between Thanksgiving and Christmas break. Phew. It’s great to be back.
Some things I enjoy when I visit home are days at the lake with family that remind me of the simple pleasures and the nearness of nature that I miss so much, small town anniversary dates reminiscent of the good old days when Caleb and I were just starting out, pajama parties and movie nights and indoor skate parties at the grandparent’s house, country rain, Thanksgiving and girl date movies with family (Moana 2 and Wicked specifically in this case), and unexpected delirious moments while watching Hallmark movies. I also love those people in my life that understand me, that push me to question why I question myself in so many ways when I should be doing what makes me truly happy and not caring what anyone else thinks. These are the people that inspire and push me to be better. They know who they are and I appreciate every single one of them. Amongst all these things I love about home, the thing I hate the most is how much harder the goodbyes are the older I get.
Some of my latest inspirations and obsessions include the Bear and Breakfast game, the Sea Beast movie, the Penguin show, the Gremlins and the Little Shop of Horrors movies. I had never seen the last two until last year, and I can’t believe I never watched them sooner. Two new gems to add to my favorites for sure. Another unexpected treat was the Ghost movie, and how it brought back that Unchained Melody song that didn’t make me cry at all. *Sniffle.* I also appreciated how weirdly amazing Lisa Frankenstein was, and how funny and sad Shaun of the Dead was in equal measure. I also had a blast watching Abraham Lincolm Vampire Hunter too; it was fun and crazy. I rewatched all the Harry Potter movies too, and I’ve learned that I appreciate them now more than ever. But I have to ask the universe or anyone who will listen: Why doesn’t Hogwarts see the pattern with bad Defense Against the Dark Arts professors every single time they turn out bad, and why don’t they do something different? Just curious.
Among other inspirations were a revisit to E.T. and Sleepy Hollow with Johnny Depp, Vox Machina season 3, and The Pale Blue Eye. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t point out how extra Bram Stoker’s Dracula was. It had all that 90’s flare, and honestly it was done to perfection for that time, but I’m forced to wonder why we used to think certain things were cool back then, because not all of it aged well. I suppose the same goes for my first ever silent film, Nosferatu, but I mean I’m so impressed that they could tell a story without spoken words that I couldn’t help but love the whole experience.
A couple other gems were definitely Practical Magic and the Bewitched movie from 2005. It was hard to hold back tears watching A Quiet Place: Day One too. I always say it and I mean it: I’m a sucker for a good origin story. Among some funny and ridiculous new movies I watched for the first time is Nacho Libre. Honestly Jack Black has always been the best, even if certain things may not have aged well. I also watched the Wizards of Waverly Place reboot, and when Selena teared up and said, “I’ve missed this,” I realized I was also tearing up and saying to myself, “Me too, Selena, me too.” I love revisits to my childhood that are actually nostalgic and entertaining, and I always cherish them.
Also, I realized after all these years that I had never seen Cars 2, so Caleb and I had a trilogy marathon. And I soon realized that Cars 2 doesn’t even need to exist to make the first and the third movies so amazing. Why does everyone go with the spy mission arc randomly? Yes Pitch Perfect 3, I’m talking to you, too. I’m at a literal loss for words about how amazing the Arcane show is in its entirety, and I’m so sad that it’s over but I loved the entire journey. I also recommend Nobody Wants This on Netflix. Honestly? Adam Brody, enough said. Among even more gems last year were the Cross show, Deadpool and Wolverine, Gladiator 2, Without a Paddle, and My Old A**.
Sometimes I even inspire myself, and I find that it’s easy for the biased writer that I am to fall in love with my own stories and characters. I put a little slice of my own life into each one, so I guess that’s why. I like to joke that I’m a paid author now, after I made $2 worth of royalties from someone reading a chapter of a story I posted to Amazon Direct Publishing for their Kindle Vella contest that is soon to be dissolved entirely. These will be the humble beginnings I sing about one day…I hope.
I love those days when Caleb can play sick and we go to the coffee shop and spend the day together. Shhh. It’s called self care. And coffee is an essential piece of said self care. Some of the best things are unplanned, and a particular night comes to mind where we went to a cool art exhibit and then found ourselves at Insomnia Cookies and wandering around downtown afterwards, where we stumbled upon the coolest bricked and string lit alleyway where there was live music and people dancing. Another unexpected delight was the Casa Bonita restaurant, and how not overrated it truly was. I highly recommend it if you've never been! Also, Pizza Hut definitely still slaps when it’s been years. I can only speak for the stuffed crust pizza though.
Sometimes it’s nice to do my work in a different space, like the business center of my apartment. In there, I can peruse the makeshift lending library that someone started up there by the big printer, and I can close myself into a little one person office with a sliding glass door. And afterwards, an impromptu walk and a Whole Foods sandwich in the park is nice. My first morning meditation walk in the park last year was also unexpected and much needed.
Killing time on random days in random towns is also fun. This is how I discover book shops I have no business setting foot in, and how I find the cutest coffee shops with the best food somehow. Shout out to 2nd and Charles and Lucy Coffee House in Aurora. I also forgot how much fun it is to wander around Target and want a million things I’d never actually need. It’s also fun to wake up to a morning snow, something that’s few and far between in Texas, and get bundled up to walk to the coffee shop for a few to-go lattes to bring back to your cozy apartment lair and drink while you dive into the creative process. A real treat this year was getting to see Fort Collins at Christmastime. It was nice to walk around, see the lights and get dinner and ice cream in a cute town.
I’m still in disbelief that I succeeded in finishing 6 weeks of 5k training and a practice 5k (though I was crippled for the whole day after due to that damned lactic acid) and that I completed my first official 5k without walking a single step - though my jogging is barely considered jogging, but hey, it’s a start! My secondary goal besides not walking was to do it in under an hour, and I managed to do it in 43 minutes! I can’t wait to run more this year. March, here I come. I’m also still nerding out about the fact that I’m doing a fitness challenge where I virtually walk/run/bike to Mordor. It’s fun and I’m not ashamed of my giddy joy about getting my own replica of The One Ring upon receiving my first medal out of five. But in all seriousness, I’m glad to have something engaging to keep me active in between 5ks and yoga and meditation.
I’m proud of mine and Caleb’s creative endeavors, and I’m so glad he took the leap to sign up for and complete a workshop with one of the artists he follows on social media. After celebrating his 30th birthday and New Year’s out in nature - with ample decorations and aspiring pancakes that became crepes - I look forward to seeing what’s in store for him in this decade of his life. I’m proud of myself for thinking that I’m ready to push for more, and that I’m finally considering the journey to writing my first manuscript for a potential novel. Even though I know nothing about that process at all, I might add. I look forward to finishing the third installment rough draft to a story of my very own and hopefully having a finished solid trilogy one day.
I’m also proud of myself for entering the biggest writing contest I’ve entered so far, with a little company called Forest & Fawn. This is how I came to learn about cozy fantasy, how I came to write my very first short story in this genre, and how I discovered Travis Baldree’s cozy fantasy novels that I’m currently obsessed with. If you like low stakes and high fantasy, these are the books to read. I also want to take a moment to acknowledge that this little company took the time to reach out to its community via email to make sure everyone was doing okay after Election Day. This was that little message I got that made me cry that I mentioned earlier. It was everything I needed to hear and it helped me a lot.
And I think that pretty much sums up the last highlights of the year before. If you managed to stay through this whole jumble of ramblings, thanks for sticking around. I figured since you made it this far that I would impart some words of wisdom for the next year in a series of bullet points:
When you need a day off, actually take a day off. Don’t say you’re off when you’re running around doing chores or planning your next day of work. This is that self care thing I mentioned earlier.
Focus on your own journey, and learn and grow as much as you want to no matter what the rest of the world is doing. Don’t come to the end of your life questioning why you question yourself. Just do it!
Vote how you want and feel how you want. But stay nice out there. Life is hard and we’re all going through something.
Sometimes you gotta drink Makers Mark out of the bottle and watch John Oliver and laugh and cry about the state of the world.
Be passionate about the things that inspire you as well as the things that irritate you. It’s fun to get riled up about stupid stuff sometimes just for comedy’s sake.
Chase your dreams, cherish time with loved ones, and be truly grateful for all those little things you might tend to overlook that make your life complete.
If you can’t just “make it,” fake it until you make it!
Try new things and be proud whether you succeed or fail. Because either way you LEARNED and you GREW.
Remember that grown up Saturday morning cartoons are NOT overrated.
There will be times, though hopefully they are rare, you will find a local coffee shop and bakery where the cashier is rude, your order is wrong, and your order is also gross. To this I can only say: Take the “L” and find a better one.
The reality is that when you become old and tired, you go to bed on New York time on New Year’s Eve, knowing full well it’s not midnight where you live yet. And that’s okay. You can tell everyone that you slept for a year instead of saying, “See you next year.”
On January 2, 2025, on a lonely highway outside of Perryton, Texas, Isabella and Caleb Sparks saw a UFO. This isn’t really advice, but the people have to know that the truth really is out there. So I guess this is a roundabout piece of advice saying that you should believe.
Maybe some silly or profound thing I said resonated with you in some way. Either way, I’m happy to get my thoughts out and to share them with you in my own creative space! So in conclusion: Cheers to the memories and milestones of 2024, and finally, here’s to 2025.