At the end of the year, I always take a moment to examine the ups and downs I experienced, both personally and professionally. What follows is my accounting of 2013:
* Produced hundreds of breaking news stories, including the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the intensive manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombers and countless mass shootings.
* Blogged for The Obituary Forum, The Blog of Death, Hooked From The First Page and Afterthoughts.
* Passed the 29,000th tweet mark on my personal Twitter account (@jadewalker) and received the “I’m real” checkmark of verification.
* Penned 60 journal entries.
* Worked on my novel.
* Purchased a Fitbit, increased my daily steps/stairs and cut back on my sleep debt. Also started using FitBolt to decrease time spent sitting.
* Subscribed to the HelloFresh and Plated food services, then cooked a ton of delicious dishes.
* Read 38 books and countless magazines.
* Watched more than 30 films.
* Took classes in archaeology, disaster preparedness, health/nutrition, literature and photography.
* Launched The 10th Muse, a mailing list of writing prompts.
* Updated The Written Word.
* Participated in the New York City Writers Group, the South Florida Freelancers Group and the Journalism & Women Symposium.
* Attended The Society of Professional Obituary Writers (SPOW) conference in Canada and launched the group’s private Facebook page.
* Created a YouTube video about the future of obituaries.
* Featured in a CNN article about obituaries.
* Profiled on JobShadow.
* Built websites for my husband and grandfather.
* Redesigned The SPOW website as well as my own.
* Went house-hunting in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.
* Dyed my hair red.
* Traveled to Burlington Vt., New York City, Toronto and Scotland.
* Visited the monument to Phineas Gage.
* Tended a garden of basil, oregano, catnip, romaine lettuce, mint, thyme and flowers.
* Dealt with the libelous rantings of a couple of cyber-trolls (yes, lawyers were involved).
* Saw Stephen King, Sting and Stuart McLean in person.
* Leased a new car.
* Perfected my versions of fudge, chocolate drop cookies, carrot cake, chicken pilaf and lasagna.
* Celebrated my 4th wedding anniversary.
* Turned 40.
Plans/goals for 2014
* Save up enough money for a down payment on a house.
* Write more snail mail letters.
* Work on my books.
* Write more obits.
* Write more poetry/short stories.
* Experience fewer migraines.
* Eat more fruits and vegetables.
* Exercise.
* Win the lottery.
2 Comments
John Platt
A good year — here’s to a great 2014!
Jade Walker
Indeed. Here’s to a wonderful 2014 to you as well, John.