What will make 2012 stand out for you?

[WriteThinking]

As the year 2012 draws to a close, but before any New Year's Eve imbibing clouds any memories, I thought I'd start a thread in which we could gather the best and worst of the past year for ourselves.

The best thing that happened for me this year occurred a little over three weeks ago when I got a promotion to a department manager position at the Walmart at which I've been working.

Walmart has its issues and, I know, isn't well thought of around here. But I'll continue to say that it has treated me well, my experience there has been better than I ever anticipated, there are good things about working there, and, for me, at least, doing so has been a godsend.

I'm happy and excited and looking forward to, hopefully, building on the little bit of success I've had there so far. Thanks primarily to my current work, 2012 has also been the year in which I've truly, and finally, been able to move on from newspapers with any sense that things are going to be okay.

The worst thing for me? Well, I can't really say I had any worsts in my own personal life, and for that I'm extremely fortunate and thankful. Outside of some money worries, which I'm learning to worry about less and less, even during a time in which I've probably "had" less than ever in the material sense, life has been good to me and I really cannot complain.


Anyone else have contributions that made for a memorable year in 2012? Good, bad or indifferent, I'd love to hear about them.

 

[KJIM]

I took a job working in disaster relief this year. Technically, it's an AmeriCorps project and I don't make much money but it's been the most satisfying job I've ever had. (I am including Peace Corps in that.) And I have an amazing and supportive supervisor.

It's been 18 months since this town suffered a FEMA-level 5 disaster (same as Katrina) and there are still 700 families living in FEMA THUs, plus many, many more still crashing at families' and friends' places.

For the first time, I can see that my work impacts people directly. I work in communications and am doing news releases, talking points, newsletters, etc., and I've been thrown into the fire on grant-writing. I pitch a story, I get it on TV or the newspaper and all of a sudden positive things happen. I got a $4,000 check in the mail yesterday - a full month after my fund-raising campaign ended.

I arrived in June -- just before the anniversary of the flood -- and have, pretty much by myself, brought in $200k in flood relief efforts. Out of that, I wrote two checks for $63,012.80 to two partner organizations that will directly put people back into their homes. Up until now, I can't say that I ever saw any action because of something I'd written.

Here, I make a difference -- a real change in people's lives.

I'm only here by the grace of God, I know. I never would have picked this place, but they offered housing and I chose it over a couple of other options. Turns out, I'm in the right spot.

It's been such a good place for me I'm trying to put the post-disaster relief life on hold and stay here until 10/13, which is when my organization hopes to finish its part of the rebuild.

If I manage to stay until then, that's my plan for most of 2013, but if I can't, next up is foreign service. I've qualified and passed all the clearances. First I could accept would be July, but I am hoping to stay where I am and not deploy until 2014.

 

[Lieslntx]

Things happened this year that were quite possibly the worst things ever in my 45 years. And yet, I finally had some Christmas cheer and smiled.

Funny how life works out.

I am not where I want to be. But I'm still better than I was. Life is a roller coaster. The lows are low. But the highs are higher than they used to be.

 

[Tom Petty]

2012 is the year i finally got back to the place where i wanted to live after being "on the road" for 13 years.

that alone made it a glorious year.

 

[jr/shotglass]

Losing our daily newspaper?

Yeah. That's it.

Losing our daily newspaper.

 

[Gator]

Married my best friend.

Same here.

 

[RickStain]

2012 sucked balls.

It will always be the year of my son's diagnosis.

 

[dooley_womack1]

Married my best friend.

Same here.

Which one will she choose?

 

[Tom Petty]

sorry to those who had ****ty years. may the next be better.

 

[Tom Petty]

Married my best friend.

Same here.

Which one will she choose?

i think gator will age better.

 

[TrooperBari]

2012 is the year i finally got back to the place where i wanted to live after being "on the road" for 13 years.

that alone made it a glorious year.

You're no longer a Traveling Wilbury?

 

[Tom Petty]

2012 is the year i finally got back to the place where i wanted to live after being "on the road" for 13 years.

that alone made it a glorious year.

You're no longer a Traveling Wilbury?

ha. nadda. and it's amaaaaazing to wake up every morning in a location where you actually want to be. no job for no amount of money could ever lure me out of this place again.

 

[TrooperBari]

There's about 30 hours left of 2012 and I'm still not sure what to make of the year. I've been out of newspapers since August, which makes me sad but may ultimately be a net positive. I did manage to erase some past mistakes that had hovered over me for years, possibly opening up new avenues even if I don't know what they are just yet.

If nothing else, I have a better idea of where I don't want to be and what I don't want out of life, which I suppose is progress. Hopefully the coming year will bring more progress in the affirmative.

 

[novelist_wannabe]

Here's what stands out for me:

My youngest child started college.

My brother got divorced and the steady stream of ex-wife bs has been flowing.

Everything else in Monde du Noveliste seems kind of trivial by comparison.

 

[Shoeless Joe]

2012 has definitely been a monumental year for me:

After 18 years I decided to get off the Titanic (the newspaper business). I took a monumental leap of faith, gave my two weeks' notice and quit. I quit with a plan to go into teaching, but with none prospects of work. That lasted about three weeks, and now I'm on my way in a new career that I not only enjoy, but gives me a vastly improved quality of life and ultimately a sizable pay raise. I am half way to getting my masters. When I took my Praxis test to get certified, I was kind of nervous. I had listened to horror stories from people who had to take it at least twice, sometimes three or more. I went in the first time out and not only passed, but crushed it.

When all this started going down about the career switch, there were a whole lot of sleepless nights. Now, I couldn't be happier about the direction I'm headed. I just wish I would have done it 10 years ago. Leaving the newspaper was like being released from indentured servitude or prison.

I started running and have lost 30 pounds. I was never fat, but the waist line was getting a little long. I am 41, weigh less and feel better than any point in the last 10 years. I have already completed two half marathons and am working toward a marathon early in 2013.

I am very active in my Lodge and hold a major office in three of the four bodies to which I belong. I bought a brand new truck in January, and thanks to my wife, it was paid of in November.

 

[Iron_chet]

Lots of standout things for 2012:

One daughter started high school, one started kindergarten, watched my son go from a baby to a toddler, wifee had some great career success.

Sorry to those who had a crap year. Here's hoping for a good 2013.

 

[Bradley Guire]

Life was not worth living this year.

 

[Songbird]

I was fired in June. I have nothing right now other than sobriety.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

2012 was awesome for me. Got a great new job. Took a cool vacation. Bought a house. I'm happy. 2013 has a high bar to top.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

It wasn't a really big year for me. Professionally and personally, things were about the same as 2011. We all are still alive, and have our health, did a couple of fun things, and only had a couple of minor crisises. Basically, a cruise-control year. I'll take it.