2013 and 2014: the years of the list (like that’s different from any other year)

You guys.

It’s the new year.

IT’S 2014! LET’S PARTY!

Amirite?

I’m right.

Sorry, I’ve been off of work for the past week, and apparently have lost all ability to speak in sentences more than a few words at a time.

It happens.

And not just it, but a LOT has been happening this past week. First, there were several meals consumed in an excruciatingly, yet brilliant, short period of time. Then, two friends got engaged to their lovers within days of each other, making 2014 a Year of Weddings And It’s Only The First Day of the Year Holy Crap I’m Not Sure My Liver Can Handle All of This Have You Met My Friends OMG BOOZERS. And then there were at least five, no, 17 presents thrown in there that were tremendous, unexpected, and lovely.

All of which leads me to thinking that maybe it’s best we start this year, like every year, with a list.

A list of numbers.

A list of numbers that reflects on the year that was.

Because you can’t know where you’re going unless you know from whence you came.

Amirite?

I’m right.

So. A list. A list of 2013. In numbers.

1 =  Number of properties bought. And oh, Sweet Mary Mother, thank the sweet lord above we are no longer living with our parents, and no longer house hunting, and I am going to live in this one-bedroom condo forever because holy shit, I am never moving again.

2 = Number of rooms painted. Bedroom and bathroom. And now I’m exhausted, even though Swede did the majority of the work. I am a very good encourager, though.

1 = Number of first full novel manuscript drafts I finished. I know.  I can hardly believe it myself. I’m not saying the manuscript I wrote is any good, I’m just saying a complete first draft is DONE. It has a beginning, a middle, and an end.  And even some parts in between. I’m also not disregarding the fact that it needs a truckload of editing and rewriting. But I started, and I finished, and it only took me thirteemillousand years to do it. But it’s done. 2014: The year of Editing and Revisions.

1 = New states visited. Usually I shoot for two a year, but alas. At the very least, the one I did get to was an extraordinary one: Tennessee. Never been? I highly recommend going. I’ve (now) only been to Nashville, but I would go back in a heartbeat.

2 = Cats currently living in our home. GAH.

0 = Dogs currently living in our home. Travesty.

2 = Pairs of shoes I bought this year. Possibly 3. Either way, HFS, really? Only 3? It’s a 2013 miracle.

$7,340,28,673,942,903,840 = Dollars spent on clothes this year, mainly at Athleta. Ah. That may explain the lack of shoes bought this year.

2 = Number of closets in our current abode. Which causes not a few problems when taking into account the above number and it’s corresponding material goods.

?/Too many to count = Number of new restaurants and bars I checked out this year.

3 = Actual number of restaurants and bars I blogged about this year in an effort to fulfill my Going for the Goal 2013. Instead of 13, like I’d set myself up to do. GAH.

48 = Number of books I read this year. And yes, I realize that’s a lot in some people’s eyes, but Interwebers. Come on. For the first half of 2013, I was commuting 90 minutes each way. What else was I supposed to do?

4 = Number of books I started and didn’t finish because they sucked (IMHO).

1 = Number of weddings I officiated this year.

1 = Number of marriages still in tact of weddings I officiated this year.

4 = Days spent in Vegas for weddings.

$1,267,984,298 = Dollars I lost at the craps tables. At least it felt that way.

Too Many To Count = Number of people I absolutely adored this year, including you. Yes, YOU.

What numbers are on your list from last year, Dear Interwebers? What numbers do you have coming up?

Welcome, 2014. Let’s get this party started.