2008: A Year of Tears in Review

I figure I should probably do this. It is not very interesting. OBAMA!

January

This month is notable because Dice and I spent the bulk of it singing Timbaland’s “The Way I Are” to each other.

February

What a month! Tucker Max had a bachelorette auction, and shockingly, someone paid money for me. Also, I wore a really awesome dress. It involved fringe. Tucker Max was doing so specifically to raise money for DSIF, which we closed out the month by attending. It was fun. We had good barbeque and political discussions. And Basic Eight did a show that included scenes involving a Mystery Flavored Dum-Dum and a gay club that Mary Beth still talks about. The Movie finishes its run at iO, sadly. Shit goes down at work, and I cry a lot.

March

My Harold team Swoon is cut and then, I am cut. I cry in the box office while eating a Power Bar. I am put on the Rabble. Birthdays were celebrated this month, including Amy’s, which was marked by Christopher making the biggest pot of chili known to man. I run the Shamrock Shuffle, after never having run more than two miles continuously in my life. And my time is nothing to sneeze at either.

April

I am sure something exciting happened this month, but I cannot remember what that could possibly be. I don't go home for Easter; my mother and I cry copiously over this. I spend the holiday with the Basic Eight instead. We enjoy Celebrity.

May

I traveled for the first time ever for work. I went to scenic Virginia. It was boring. I aced my Manville training and test though, I will tell you. I am glad I traveled approximately 800 miles to do so. Also, my mama has her birthday and Baby Daniel turns the big 1.

June

I am sure something interesting happened this month, but it’s mostly been edited for content.

July

The 4th of July! The Riot has a fun party at the Playground for which the Basic Eight recreates The Crucible. I see John Mayer in concert for the third time, and I think I walk away a better human being for having seen him play Van Halen’s “Panama” sans shirt.

August

A busy month. I go home for a week before and after the Del Close marathon, which results in me getting pictures with Baby Daniel in my Mythbusters shirt. Also, my mom and sister get to see me improvise. Tigers tear it up at Del Close. Michael Phelps, who I have followed for the past eight years, wins eight gold medals, and I think I can die happy. Alexander de Pate, on the other hand, does not win gold. But is still my favorite diver. I run Race Judicata just to prove I still can run. I also watch the Democratic National Convention and weep with pride for New Jersey, and for Barack Obama, and even Hillary Clinton.

September

Shit gets real this month. Lauren gets into her accident. Other crap that has been edited for content happens. I exit the month of September ten pounds lighter, more than slightly sleep deprived, and prone to tears.

October

The Halloween show opens and it gives me great joy to share the stage with Dice and all five of his polo shirts every week. And I sing! A line! On stage! That never happened before – they cut my solo in my high school production of “Bye Bye Birdie.” (Seriously. They made it an ensemble piece.) I also begin volunteering for Barack Obama’s campaign, canvassing in Indiana and Michigan and phone banking whenever possible. I have never volunteered for an individual politician before. And I come from a political family. [of Republicans.] That is how firmly I believe.

November

Obviously, I am proud to vote and see Obama elected and spend Election Night in Grant Park. I can say without hyperbole that it is one of the most amazing days of my life. Everyone is talking about it; we know. It’s history. We saw it. It is the most special thing to happen all year.
Unrelated to that magic though: The Rabble is cut. It is very sad. I am put on a new team. I go home for Thanksgiving; dinner is transported in a red wagon.

December

We stepped into Christmas and Basic Eight started working on our first written show. My sister celebrates her birthday. Baby Tommy Hennessy was born and Auntie Rose passed away at 92. Mike Click was finally absolved of the Justin Timberlake incident. RBG has an amazing first show, through no fault of my own. And overall? Things are looking better. Much better.

Incidentally, my horoscope this week said that "2009 will be more joyful and less tearful than 2008." I am not making that up. And I think it will be.

2009 will be just fine. Fingers crossed.