I'm late to the party. A day late and a dollar short. Or in my case 10 days late and a lot of dollars short. 

But I can't talk about the new year without recapping the old. Inspired by the keys on the keyboard I've stared at for several weeks now in this office (note to self -- another reason not to take this insurance gig up full time: cold ass office! Am I the only one freezing here?) My time is drawing to a close and I couldn't be happier to move on. Before I do, here's a look back at the year that was. And the letter that dominated it.

Hands down without a doubt it was C:

For Cancer, Corporate Relo, and Confirmation

Let me explain. Last year my partner was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and proceeded to kick its ass. Then there was the all of a sudden we're moving back to North Carolina as if we didn't have enough on our plate. Which, we weren't upset about. Poor timing, but good. And definitely good, our decision to be confirmed in the Episcopal Church.

So, as you can see, C was pretty signficant.

Honorable mentions:

F for Family, Friends, and Folly Beach (all good) 
D for Death (ex died unexpectedly untimely and shocking RIP)
R for Real Estate and Renovations (the good bad and ugly but mostly good)

What does the New Year have in store? Definitely not this keyboard, I can tell you that. Although I'm eager to type out a new beginning. In North Carolina. In our newly renovated house. With a studio. A spotted dog. And a partner who is Cancer FREE.  

The lead editorial in this week's Sunday Review section of the New York Times really struck a chord with me. Anyone who knows me knows I have a hard time putting myself out there. My brief stint in real estate fell flat in part due to my inability to shamelessly advertise without a certain amount of cheesy guilt. There is an art, however, to self promotion. Mastering it often means success. But are we a society of too many successes? Are we taking the entrepreneurial spirit out to the proverbial pasture, so to speak? On Sunday, November 13, 2011, William Deresiewicz weighed in on what he calls "Generation Sell -- The new zeitgeist: we're all peddling ourselves and managing our own brands." 

This coming on the heels of my very own year long attempt to cultivate a brand and somehow package it in an (in)effective (dare I say successful) manner. 

Part of the challenge for me has been this crazy idea that I have to do it all myself. Without any particular training or skill, say in the areas of web design or graphics, or even marketing or public relations to capitalize on what it is I'm trying to accomplish (do I even know what that is?) But I am attempting it anyway. A true novice. All while smugly comforting my creative psyche that insists on originality in every sense of the word. 

Why the extra effort? When it's clear I could just farm it all out. Pay someone to do it for me. Everything -- and everyone, it seems -- is for sale. Are you buying? Am I original? Or just one of many pushing the product of ME? With, or without, shame.

One young reader offered his rebuttal in a Letter to the Editor called  "Generation Do"  -- I like his spirit. In my opinion, both of them are right. And I fall, comfortably, somewhere between "Doing" and "Selling."

Even if it means being displaced, sleepless nights, disorganization, general mayhem and madness... Which, for people like me can seriously rock my boat... but like I said. It's beautiful. 

Especially when it brings me back to an area I love. Let's face it. I'm an East Coast girl.
 
That aside, I am super excited to be back in the Charlotte area and jumping right back into the creative scene. I recently joined the Board of Directors at The Community Arts Project and love what the organization is doing. I'll be mentioning it a lot.

But back to relocating. It allows me to CREATE. A new interior! Something I love doing. Decorating is in my blood. I love to see what I can do with a space. Cost being an issue, of course.

A realtor once said to me, "you have vision. You can see a space for what it can become. Not for what it is." I was flattered by her assessment. And, more importantly, I believe it.

I haven't really gotten to the fun part yet. And, truthfully, I wasn't ready to give up what I created in Texas. Man, I loved that house. But I love being here more. And I like decorating.  

Nothing like a fresh blank canvas to make you feel alive with endless possibilities. Like I said. It's a beautiful thing.