So what’s up 2012?! What can you possibly hold that can top that?! <insert pendulum swing> Did you see this segment on the Today Show - one family lives on $20,000/year?

My resolution …
To embrace the simplest things … walks, bike rides, park visits, road trips to nowhere, semi-successful home cooked meals for less than $2, imperfect DIY projects from found goods, books I’ve stockpiled for years, and maybe, just maybe, blogging.  After all, it is about the journey.

I’m not being naive but my glass is always “half full” [or I'm just thirsty]. I know this will be hard.  I think about the times friends have given up all alcohol for Lent. Or meat. Or shopping.  While I don’t live an extravagant life – I enjoy my box wine, farmer’s market Saturdays followed by bacon at my little diner, thrift store treasure hunts and Threadless $10 sales.  2012 won’t be without indulgence but isn’t a Saturday morning at the dog park just that? Or hours spent lost in a good book? An evening of conversation in a friend’s backyard over a fire pit? Not “off-the-grid” by any means,  just conscious.

In preparation, I’ve googled “How to eat cheap and healthy” and stockpiled recipes of lentils, legumes and other awesome foods; I’ve switched to a cash-only operation … and, of course, I’m telling you so you can remind me of this promise during my “moments.”

The most exciting and terrifying change … things 2012 will not include: cigarettes.  Well, I guess I should say, “Things 2012 will not start with” …? If successful, that’s a massively expensive and disgusting indulgence crossed off the list.

Today, I’m putting these words on my wall [quite literally]:
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

So it you have suggested indulgences in simpler actions, I’m all ears. I’ve got 365 days to fill with free happiness. Words of encouragement also welcome.

UPDATED: first DIY project failed. Words not quite literally applied to wall. But they’re there in permanent invisible ink for now.

Their suggested topic was “Who deserves more credit.” We’ll get to that in a second. First though, WHO DOESN’T WANT A DOODLE?! My adopted puppy recently relocated and I’ve had an ache in my heart similar to when Gilmore Girl’s season finale’s credits rolled. This morning I spent 2 hours searching for how to adopt Labradoodles, Shepadoodles, Goldendoodles – DEAR GOD JUST GIVE ME A LARGE, FURRY, HYPO-ALLERGENIC DOG.  New rule: 2011 will be the year Mandy – possibly irresponsibly – gets one. [ Side note: it's irresponsible because I live in an apartment and don't have a yard - not because I'm a bad person or anything. Thanks for the vote of confidence.]

2nd rule: 2011 will be the year of Champagne. Or rather Prosecco because champagne gives me indigestion. Champagne = celebration. And I’m a firm believer we don’t celebrate enough. I’m not advocating irresponsibility or alcoholism. But next time you’re at happy hour order champagne and have a toast. Toast to a successful conference call. Or a new friend. Or even for keeping up your weekly blog posts. Champagne – it’s not just for brunches and wedding receptions. And neither are celebrations. Celebrate yourself e-v-e-r-y-d-a-y [with or without champagne]

My 3rd rule is more of a wish. Today pretty much marks the end of my favourite time of year: COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON! #BOOMER! I wish college football was a year round season. Saturdays without football are just sub-par. My life [and conversation] is lacking without common bonds over the BCS inefficacy; the Big 12 v PAC 10 rivalry – and this year, controversy; the Official’s bad calls; … and always the underrated Sooners.

So, now back to the topic at hand, who deserves more credit? The Oklahoma Sooners, my mom, George Bush, Barack Obama, single mothers, our military, and those working tirelessly to make the world a better place. And you. You probably deserve more credit.

Two and a half years ago, I also made some new friends. I met them in many ways that none of us can usually remember so we just say twitter. But I met them through friends-of-friends, community events, NetSquared, art events, conferences, AND twitter. They taught me about social media. They taught me about WordPress. They taught me how to make a change in the world through social media. We rallied causes. We geeked out over talk about the shift in communications and marketing. We drank lots of wine. And beer. They didn’t shame my music decisions [too much]. Or my change of hair color every few months. We hunkered down together. We ate entirely too much crawfish together. I have no idea why Houston’s social media community took me under their wing but I am so very thankful to each of them as well.

That brings me to this next part … life is, afterall, what happens on some random Tuesday when you least expect it. I’m leaving my post at Fresh Arts and embarking on a new adventure with Lemonade Day. I’m just as excited as terrified of this change. I don’t think I’ll melt when I leave the arts but … well … after 10  years of working only in the arts, I just might. I’m leaving in hopes of changing the world. Cheesy? Definitely. But true? Equally definite. Of course, this entire post was to say I’M NOT LEAVING THE ARTS. Jeeze, I suck at blogging. What I’m trying to say is just that I’m not going to get paid the big bucks to work in the arts anymore. Now I’m just gonna do it for free. I’m still going to drag everyone to a play put on in an alleyway. Or a gala that has you dressing like a bald Brittany. Black Ball anyone? I’ll still maintain that there’s no better place on earth for live music but Orange Show. Or that my favourite Friday’s are those that begin at DiverseWorks. And my favourite films are always at Aurora.

So that’s it. That’s all this was about.  A little nostalgia. A lot of thanks. Happy Thanksgiving, y’all. I have more than my fair share to be thankful for … and you’re a part of it. Thank you.

My list of Holiday flicks in no particular order:
Miracle on 34th Street [classic, not remake]
Love Actually
The Holiday
Bad Santa
Bridget Jones Diary
Nightmare Before Christmas
Christmas Story
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Charlie Brown Christmas
Christmas TV Classics: Rudolph, Frosty and Santa Clause
White Christmas
Elf
Scrooged
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
Grinch [animated, not Jim Carey version]

And, OHMYGOSH, there’s a movie about Santa Claus and Martians?!

Adding for this year: Polar Express, We’re No Angels [Humphrey Bogart], Joyeaux Noel, Shop Around the Corner, The Bishops Wife … inspired from this Movifone list.

And throw in for good measure: It’s a Wonderful Life and Christmas Carol. For some reason, I just can’t watch them anymore. When Wonderful Life comes on TV, I actually change the channel but I usually get sucked into Christmas Carol.

P.S. How about 101 Christmas Videos? Thanks FanPop. I started with Rudolph from 1948.

Bust out the hot cider or plug your ears because I’m going to bring out the Holiday music, too, and I sing along. Happy Holidays, y’all. It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

1# sugar (2 to 2 1/4 cups)
1/2# butter (2 sticks)
3 eggs
1# flour (4 cups)
1 tsp vanilla
Mix.  Make into stiff dough.  Roll out very thin on floured board.  Cut into forms and bake until light brown.  350 degrees about 12 min.

You’re Welcome Future Mandy.

In other news, very excited about my Laura Holt Halloween costume. Ok, so maybe it was more about getting to watch 15 million episodes of Remington Steele. Tomato. Tomato.

From my friends at the Art League:

‘Alrighty.  Friends.  I come to you with an open hand and a raised sword, crying, ”GIVE ME $5 for cans of spray paint!” Please.  We need 120 people to give us $5 to make this exhibition happen.  Don’t let our young graffiti friends run out of materials.

If you give me even $3.00- I will put your name on a paper PLAQUE thanking you at the event for your generous support of this non-profit in a cruel, cruel, post-stimulus package, art-hating economy.

I made you an illustration below for added encouragement and details on ways to give us your five dollars.  You can also give me your money in person or on-line, just click on “donate.”

Yes, yes, together we are mighty.’
So my question to you … Got a buck? how ’bout five?  Go to http://www.artleaguehouston.org/aboutus.html and click on the left menu option ‘DONATE’

My friend from D.C. came to visit almost a year ago.  Her 1st time in Htown.  Her 2nd in the great state of Tejas [although the first time was Dallas and she said she really didn't see what all the fuss was about].  I was determined to hit all the MUST’S so I did what any other self-respecting, well-adjusted person would…I created a coded excel document.

When she announced she was headed south for inauguration, I was so excited I got to make another itinerary!  This time she’s bringing her boyfriend [who's from Houston] so I don’t have her all to myself.  So I just made a list of not-to-be-missed rather than an entire itinerary.  It will just have to suffice for now.

So enjoy.  Let me know what places I’ve forgotten. This is obviously a tailored-to-her-tastes list which is why some joints have been omitted.  Point & laugh at my obsession – then bookmark it so you know where to take your Htown visitors.

**Have no fear.  I’ll update to include $ and dress code before she arrives on Jan 17!

‘As many of you may have heard XXX XXXXX  lived in the apartment
complex that caught fire last night in Montrose.  XXX basically lost
everything.

We are taking up donations for him. We suggest the following:

Cash
Gift cards
Shirts – size large
Pants – 32-34 waist
Bedding – queen size bed
Linens
Kitchen appliances’

My heart broke.  What this man has gone through, how he has changed his life in the last three years … and now this.

About 4 years ago this man received news that his lifestyle had caught up with him.  He had to get a hip replacement or he wouldn’t walk.  He was under 40 and done so much damage to his body from alcohol that he had literally deteriorated his bones.   I remember visiting him in the hospital and all he wanted was a bacon cheeseburger from Barnaby’s [and the fries, they no longer made - but that's a different story].  He quit drinking, thank God.  He never said ‘Whoa is me.’ Life hands you lemons sometimes – he couldn’t afford his hospital bills and had to take time off from work for multiple surgeries.  But he came back.  He came back happier than ever and more determined to love everyone and his life.  I’d never seen him so happy.

This man loves everyone – to his demise.  Before, during his recovery and after he was taken advantage of by some close to him.  But he prevailed.

Now this.

He has no home [unlike the news article reads, the apartment complex could not relocate him].  He lost everything.  I’m telling his story in hopes of helping him recover.  Helping inspire positive change in your life and mine.  Hoping to encourage him the way he’s insired me.  It’s never too late to change your life.  And, in true cheesey fashion – when life makes you lemons … pull yourself up by your bootstraps …. and do like your nails – Press On.

The most accepting, selfless, open-minded person I know is my great aunt, Sister Mary Jean Clare. She entered the convent at 18 and has spent her life serving the world.  She is over 80 now and still working as a physical therapist.  A year ago she took her first flight in forever to visit myself, mother & father.  We celebrated my birthday together with champagne.  She has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s but continued to work.  She was put on new medication and had a negative reaction; on her way from a clients home she passed out behind the wheel.  When she regained consciousness she narrowly avoided a head on collision, however, she was still pinned in her car.  She will have to have numerous surgeries, be immobilized for a month+ but is in good spirits.  Her first concern was not her patients, the car, getting back to work, her pain, her family … she was concerned her roommate would be alone and hoped one of the sisters would visit her so she wouldn’t be alone.  My favorite memory with Sister is taking her to Rothko Chapel.  She’s studied the chakras with her sisters and was so excited to sit in a class on discovering your chakras.  That, and sharing champagne with her on my birthday.  I hope I can be like her when I grow up.

2) Remembering Change [aka rollercoasters & warp speed]:

Sometimes your life changes so fast, so drastically & so organically you can’t fathom exactly how or what happened.  You get fleeting glimpses and reminders through fortuitous facebook requests or daydreams between your insomniac tendencies.  All of sudden, it hits you like a ton of bricks – What the hell happened? And when did it happen? Then the self-consciousness sets in … & inner-dialogue.  ‘Everyone knows you’re a fraud.’ Then simple things like getting dressed become challenging and haunt you all day because you can’t figure out if its who you were, who you are or … if you’re just being silly [most circumstances lie within the latter].  Beyond embracing change, I’m learning to recognize and remember it.  Afterall, I’m nothing now without who I used to be.

Tonight those thoughts fill my thankful mind … while there are a bajillion other moments I’m thankful for this evening … they pale in comparison.