Happy 2nd Birthday to my beloved blog, Smashing Through Life!
First off, welcome back Vincent the Viper, who proudly celebrated last year’s blog birthday with me while wearing a more traditional party hat. This year, Vincent is sporting a decidedly flamboyant party fez instead and I think he looks fabulous. During more lackadaisical times, my friend The Magpie and I entertained the notion of starting a business manufacturing and selling one-of-a-kind hats for fake snakes, but then real life got a lot more interesting in a hurry and we’ve since shelved that idea for the time being. Maybe we’ll come back to it again, when we’ve got some decent seed money pulled together. But anyways, that’s not what we’re here for today.
IT’S MY BLOG BIRTHDAY AND I’M REALLY FUCKING EXCITED ABOUT IT!
That’s why we’re here. Keep yourself on point, girl.
A lot can happen in a year, and I’m not saying that to be cliché. A lot really did happen to me in this past year. Some good, some bad, and some ugly too. I made some stunning 3-pointers, but I also spent a lot of time warming the bench, too. I genuinely enjoy looking back over a specific period of time and reflecting on the things that have happened in my life. It’s good for me, and it motivates me to keep reaching ever higher. I believe that my personal and professional development should never reach a plateau; I won’t let that happen. Not while I’m at the helm. If I’m learning and challenging myself on a consistent basis, then I’m growing and becoming a better me all the time. There is always room for improvement, and I’ve got an insatiable hunger for more. I’m always so eager to keep forging ahead, so it helps to look back once in a while. I need to make sure that I’m cutting the right path. That I’m living the life I’ve always wanted.
This blog’s mission, initially, was to act as an outlet for my frustrations and disappointments. It was an exercise in perpetual positivity. It was a place of refuge, an altar of optimism at which I could worship when I needed it the most. I was in a very dark place when it began, and this blog was my lifeline. It was a connection to the trademark brightness within, the brightness I’ve always been known for, but which was dimming more and more every day at an alarming rate. But it has since evolved, the aim has shifted. I don’t need to search for the positives in my life quite so desperately anymore because I’m surrounded by them.
This blog is continually evolving, just like me, and I couldn’t be happier with the progress we’ve made together so far. It’s a place where I can chronicle my life, my adventures, and my many dreams in the most positive terms possible.
So, what have I done this year that’s so whoop-de-fucking-doo great, you ask? I’ll tell you!
Smash’s Top 5 Awesomes This Year
1.) I went on the vacation of a lifetime
D and I dropped everything and went on our first ever vacation together. And we made it memorable as hell by saving up the extra bucks and flying the extra miles to get ourselves a slice of Hawaii. It was unreal! The food, the adventures, the beach, the ocean, the people, the sites. We loved every minute of it. Going all out for our first trip together was definitely the right call.
2.) I Got Engaged (and set the date, too!)
D and I have been together a long time. We’re coming up on eight years this summer, if you can believe it. I loved him from the first moment I drunkenly gazed into his sweet blue eyes, and there was never any doubt. But there was never any rush to get to the paperwork either, and he caught me completely unawares when he proposed during our aforementioned vacation. I tease him sometimes about being totally devoid of emotion, but he really surprised me that time. I don’t even question this decision at all. We go together.
3.) I Won Shitfest 2013: Fall
Some of you will remember my graceful acceptance of the award from this wonderful post that our dear friend, The IPC, allowed me to share with you on his site. I don’t write a movie blog, but I love movies so I read a lot of movie blogs. And I love the movie blogging community that I’ve stumbled into on WordPress. I loved reading the posts that were entered in the first Shitfest, and when a fall fest was announced I knew I had to get involved this time. I knew a shitty movie that I could write about. A real fucking shitty movie. I just wanted to have some fun, and it proved to be an experience that I will cherish forever. I’ve got the trophy to prove it.
4.) I Started a New Blog
I miss writing essays. I miss feeling scholarly. I long for my undergrad, on rainy days mostly. So I decided to start a blog to review the works of Stephen King, to sort of keep in touch with that part of myself that so loved turning in assignments. I’m just hanging out over there, doing book reports basically. But it’s a fun hobby, and I enjoy it. I’m not rolling out the reviews quite as quickly as when I first started the blog, but I am still trucking along and reviews get posted at least once a month. It’s a way for me to explore other facets of my writing, too, and that’s important to me.
And finally, saving the biggest for last…
5.) I Got Promoted
I’ve been waiting for this a long time. It was an exciting, albeit painful journey at times, but I’m finally moving in the direction that I want to go. I had never realized how deeply ambitious I was until I joined the workforce. Procrastination and indifference were my MO whenever I pondered that almighty “What are you going to do when you grow up?” question that seems to haunt us from birth. But once I started carving out my own way in the world, I found myself immediately hooked on ambition. It’s a heady device, man. I made the choice to significantly alter my career path a couple of years ago, and it’s all starting to come together now. The sky really is the limit, and I thoroughly enjoy reaching for it with all of my might. I’ve got plans and ideas aplenty, and I’m going to make a splash in a big way. Greatness abounds, when you’re willing to work hard for it. I love how it feels to earn my living, and being rewarded professionally for my efforts feels divine.
I’m not kidding around, you guys. I truly am kicking the shit out of life every day. And I hope to continue doing so, right here on this bizarre little blog of mine, for a long while yet.
Here’s to yet another year of awesome. Cheers!
Happy blogday!
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Thank you kindly dear! 🙂
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Ditto.
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Thanks James! 🙂
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Well congrats on another year of blogging. More importantly, congrats on the super awesome year you had, it looks most amazing!
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Thanks Zoe! It’s fun to look back, right?
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Always if it was such a spectacular year!
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Happy wordpressiversary! (that’s a word, right?) I find your positivity very inspiring, and can only hope that some of it seeps into me over the upcoming year of awesomeness. 🙂
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Thank you so much Dee. Connecting with other amazing people, such as yourself, through blogging has been a huge source of happiness in my life as well.
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Smash!! I know I’ve only read a couple of articles on this page but I have to say they are super inspirational. I look forward to delving in deeper. And ‘grats on the promo!! That’s awesome. What do you do?
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Thank Tom, that’s so kind of you to say. I’m so glad you’re able to find inspiration in the oddities I post here. In terms of real life, I’m a software trainer.
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Nice one smash! Congrats on the millstone. 🙂
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Thanks Mark! 🙂
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Woohoo! Congrats! Sounds like it’s been an amazing year for you!
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Thanks Chris! It has been an amazing year. Shit, what am I gunna do this year that’s even bigger and better? May have painted myself into a corner here… lol
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You know I don’t like to use salty language so excuse my French but: FUCK YEAH!!! I fucking love your post and your blog! YOU ROCK!
ei
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THANK YOU!!
Your comment merited some all caps. I hope I can take home another Shitfest title to brag about next year, lol.
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Happy Blergthday! I know this next year is going to be even better!
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Thank you, dear friend. I’ve got my sights set on some pretty weighty stuff and I hope it all pans out.
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Been a good year, congrats and Happy Blog Birthday 😀
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Thanks Tim! Blog birthdays are always such a fun thing to celebrate.
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Congratulations! On everything! You’ve had one helluva year. Lol – I knew the Shitfest trophy would make it in there. I’d love that thing! ; ) I must stop by The Kingdom later this week when I get time – hope I haven’t missed too much! Love your reviews. You’re such a fantastic writer. Keep up the great work. : )
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Thanks T9. I think that’s what I’m going to start calling you, T9. It makes you sound like the newest, baddest, most killer Terminator on the market.
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Haha!!! LOVE IT! I’m a badass! YEAH!! : )
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Congratulations! You are an inspiration!!! [Goes back to watching old WWF videos YouTube]
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Thanks dude! My Opa used to love watching WWF. He believed in the magic of wrestling, so he got right into it. He used to shake his cane at the T.V. in anger, cursing out the bad guys.
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Can’t believe I missed this! Hope you celebrated your blog birthday in style, Smash! Obviously you did, though. I mean, you have a fez-wearing snake! Haha. Congrats on all of your success! 🙂
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Thanks Cara! I did have an awesome year for sure. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to top it now though. Unless of course I can somehow snag another Shitfest title. Then it’ll all be worthwhile, lol
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Hello. Wanted to say thanks for the follow and tell you how much I’ve been laughing at your posts of the fugly cakes. OMG. Congrats on your blogaversary!
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Thank you! I’m very excited to start reading your blog as well. Most of my reading is accomplished on the weekends now, so I’, sure you’ll see lots of comments pop up from me in the coming days 🙂
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(I know I’m late on wishing you a blogaversary, but as I just found you, I figure it’s okay!)
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I’d never turn a fond wish away, no matter how belated. Thanks again 🙂
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