Post the Hundred and Fourth: BLOGIVERSARY EXTRAVAGANZA!

Oh, my stars, Gentle Reader! We did it! We scraped through Year the Second together – by the skin of our teeth, you know – but here we are, together once more! It’s time for one of my favorite things – the annual Blogiversary Extravaganza. Buckle in, kittens!

As ever, the Extravaganza comes with some very exciting surprises. Have you noticed? The site’s been redecorated, once again. This year’s posts have been revisited, collated, and punched up a little, if you’d care to revisit them. All the pages have been spruced up, as well. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s been a labor of love.

I know I was forced to rely a little heavily on re-runs over the last few months, Reader, and I’m very sorry about that. That’s why the posting schedule’s been changed up; we’re going to a Tuesday-Thursday-Sunday schedule. Posts still come out at cocktail hour, Pacific Time. That way, I’m not interfering with people’s weekend plans, you see.

Sundays will remain poetry. You might have noticed I haven’t posted any poetry of my own for quite some time – that’s because I’m working on a new collection, known as #NoHetero, and I don’t want to ruin the surprise. With luck, it should be available sometime this next year.

But enough about the boring behind-the-scenes stuff! You’re here for the fabulous surprises, right?

You still don’t get a brand new car. Sorry.

So what were the highlights and lowlights of the past 365 days of blogging? LET ME TELL YOU, CHILD: People were very kind to me over the course of the last year. Both because they loved me, and because it would make for fabulous blogging opportunities. People’s kindness brought us such scenes as these:

I got to learn about Seattle’s most haunted places.

Some friends brought me to Portland via train, where I learned that one is never underdressed if one is clad in a cape and a merkin.

An old flame flew me first-class to Anchorage, Alaska, for a tryst.

My Going-Away-Party began with Brunch

And then continued with kindness late into the night.

Mr. Darling and Ms. Capere, the weekend after my crushing disappointment of having to cancel my flight to destiny, took me out and pampered me.

 

And then Darling and his family took me to Leavenworth, the Bavaria of the Foothills, to assuage my pain in not going to actual Bavaria. There was Cow Ropin’.

Darling and Capere also helped me achieve one of the more expensive items on The List – the Champagne and Caviar Picnic.

I technically participated in GISHWHES, even though I had a bit of a melt-down and had to back off from most of the shenanigans – but it’s all about Kindness, and letting go of societal conventions, and embracing beauty and spontaneity and art and love. And it was thanks to Miss Goss that I got to play along.

Kindness has truly been the watchword of this year. I’m so grateful to have you, Gentle Reader, and to have the opportunity to try to make you smile, or to bring you solace when you’re wallowing in woe.

This year has also been heavy on Closure, and moving in New Directions.

There was a lot of introspection,

And trying new things,

And letting go of the past.

You were there with me when I suffered a crushing blow, Gentle Reader,

And you were there when I picked myself up off the floor and asked a stranger on a date.

This year has been full of silliness,

Full of anger,

Full of joy,

And full of despair.

But you’ve helped me pull through. Here’s to Year the Third, Gentle Reader! Is there anything new you’d like to see? Anything old brought back?  Do you love the site redesign? Hate it? Tell me what you’d like to see hereabouts in future, loves – I’m listening. Happy Blogiversary, darlings.

Tagged: All The Feelings, Best Posts, Blogiversary, BLOGIVERSARY EXTRAVAGANZA, Despair, Joy, Loss, Silliness, Triumph