2018 was so over the top that all I want to do to bring in the New Year is relax and that is exactly what I am going to do.

For me, this was a year of personal growth and change.  I had a breast cancer scare that got me in touch with my mortality in a way that freaked me the hell out.  I got to do a lot of introspection over that time and realized that there are some things about my life that I don’t like.  I really would like to make some changes.  Then I discovered that my Dad’s memory is going and had the cold reality that our little family was going to change forever.  I also grieved that I was never going to have my On Golden Pond moment with my Dad.  My relationship with my Dad has always been a little strained.   It might be less strained in the future but because he has forgotten the myriad of reasons why he hates me.  Maybe that’s for the best.  I was hoping for a reconciliation that will never come.  Also, my cat, Buddha Butt, died.  he was 11.

I also had challenges with work and volunteer opportunities.  For all the progress women have made, women still have a way to go.  The only reason I can gather for certain reactions are bona fide sexism and boy am I disenchanted about that.

The Kavanaugh hearings triggered me in a way that I still haven’t recovered.  Yes, I do have PTSD.  Thanks for asking. I do mean this literally in the clinical sense of the term.  It didn’t help that I had recently had surgery at the time and was ordered to rest during this time.

There were good things. I had good times hanging out with my friends and the Drinking Liberally crew.   My other cat, Jojo Dancer. , was a snuggly source of comfort.  I read some books, watched some movies, and enjoyed some television.

Here are some of my favorites.

TV

  • Crazy Ex Girlfriend
  • Big Mouth
  • The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
  • Kid Gorgeous at Radio City (John Mulaney)

Movies

  • Three Identical Strangers
  • Call Me By Your Name (I saw it in early 2018. It was released around Christmas)
  • Won’t You Be My Neighbor
  • Crazy Rich Asians
  • Leave No Trace

Books

  • Hillbilly Elegy
  • The Last Black Unicorn
  • I Will Follow you into the Dark