New year, new blog

It's 2008 now. It feels good to be in a new year. 2007 was... long.

Some really good things happened. I started dulcimer lessons and have since played a dozen shows in six different states. I got my first real job, learned a lot, and then quit. I saw some of my heroes perform: Eisley, Regina Spektor, The Police, and Nickel Creek in one of their last shows. I was blown away by my hero of all time, M.T. Anderson, after interviewing him and hearing him speak at the National Book Festival. I learned that I could be a good photojournalist or a good entertainment journalist if I choose to go either of those routes.

In the moments, 2007 sounds like it was pretty good. But in truth, it was a really lonely year for me. I don't take well to loneliness, so I'm not sure why I gave it a try. This year will be different. It will be better.

I just spent a week on the road, hanging out with new and old friends. I was myself the entire time: a bit moody, easily frustrated, ridiculous, and quieter. I'm still trying to find my place in the wizard rock world; I mean, I love everybody out there but I hardly know anyone because I'm still getting over myself. But it was nice to be able to crowd into a small kitchen, not feel bad for being sober, say what was on my mind even when it absolutely offended people, and just exist. Not having a set schedule, not living the same life each day, just going out and seeing what happened in so many different places with so many different people... I could live like that forever, I really could. It was such a nice contrast to the parts of my life I really dislike right now (and by that, I mean every minute spent at college).

So, I'm coming into this blog fresh from the adventure I've been on since the year started. I don't want the adventure to stop this time. I'm going to get over myself and care less about how you feel about me. I'm going to take more risks. I'm going to be the person that I am and I'm not going to worry anymore about whether that scares you or pisses you off or whatever. I have no reason to be ashamed of who I am, so that's over. I am taking this year and making it what I want it to be. I'm going to be stronger.

This blog will follow me through that journey, for as long as it takes. It won't be a straight traditional blog; I plan on using photos and music and videos (when I get a camera) as well to keep this as sort of a digital scrapbook. Adventure alongside me -- I made some truly brilliant friends through LJ, and I hope to make more through here.

I'm going to attack life this year. I'm going to suck the marrow out of it. And it's going to be beautiful and epic, I can just tell.