I’ve been participating in the The Best of 2009 Blog Challenge, in which bloggers write in response to a prompt each day in December. I think it’s cool, the idea of having hundreds of bloggers all over the world creating hundreds of “best of” lists for 2009.
This is my third post. You can read the first two here.
And now, the last eleven prompts…
- Best project. My Beckoning of Lovely project, in which I created one lovely thing a week for twelve weeks, was awesome. Click here to see all my lovely things.
- Best startup. In my town there is a new little wine bar called Swirl on the Square. I love everything about it. There’s the wine, of course, but there’s also all the warm brick, and the fireplace, and the comfortable chairs, and the intimate feel, and the monthly readings. It’s very cool. We should all meet there. ZS party.
- Web tool. Well, I’ve only just started playing with it, but YWriter5 for PCs is pretty neato. It’s free, too!
- Learning experience. The prompt for this one says, “What was a lesson you learned this year that changed you?” I laughed when I read that. A lesson? I have never had a year more filled with lessons for me, and the more I’ve learned the more I’ve realized I have to learn. The entire year of 2009 was a learning experience for me. And as hard as it is to be a beginner over and over again, I hope 2010 is just as challenging.
- A gift. The prompt for this one says, “What’s a gift you gave yourself this year that has kept on giving?” The most important gift I gave myself this year was permission. To be wrong, to be imperfect, to be horrible in search of great. This year, out of necessity, I’ve had to learn to be more forgiving with myself. I’ve stumbled so many times, and I’m so thankful for all of you who’ve been there to pick me up. (I was going to say that you know who you are, but you might not. You might leave me a comment to tell me something I wrote affected you and never give it a second thought. But I didn’t give up, and I wrote the next day because of you. Thank you.)
- Insight or ahah moment. Again, in a year full of them, it’s hard to pick one, but I will. Although I know I’d heard it before, this year when I read, “Leap, and trust that the net will appear,” it took my breath away. I was right where I needed to be, right at the point of leaping or turning back. I leapt. What an amazing ride it’s been.
- Social web moment. The prompt asks about meeting someone in real life you only knew online. I did that this year, when I met the amazingly talented, funny, lovely Jane Bretl, who I had only known online before. I blogged about the meeting. So did she. From mine, you can get to hers. Click here.
- Stationery. I don’t have an answer for this one. While I adore stationery stores and cards and writing paper and envelopes… I did not buy stationery this year. I did go through three writing notebooks. Does that count?
- Laugh. My biggest belly laugh of the year? I’m not sure, but I can almost guarantee it was induced by The Boy who is one of the smartest, funniest, most thoroughly unique people I know.
- Ad. I don’t know if this counts as an ad, but my friend posted it on her Facebook page, and it’s sponsored by Starbucks so I’m going with it. Besides I love it.
- Resolution I wish I’d stuck with. I could do this one. I’ve certainly broken resolutions I wish I hadn’t, but instead, I’m going to write the one resolution I hope I stick with this year. This year, I want to do what scares me. Every day. Because the thing I fear most is a life only partially lived.
Of all the prompts in this challenge, I liked this batch best. I welcome anything you have to say, of course, but if you’re in the mood to share your answer to any of these prompts, you know I want to hear. I love, love, love the way you all think.
And thank you all for your part in a difficult, wonderful 2009. Let’s rock 2010.
Judy –I love this list and I love your blog! On your “bucket list” you wrote something about making ZS a delightful distraction — it is that, but also more than that. Thanks!
Judy,
You are the muse who inspires, challenges and supports the budding writer in me. Love your list and fresh genuine, and smart voice. Thanks for blazing a trail I can believe in.
Best Blog of the Year: Zebra Sounds.
Judy,
I am honored to have made your list. Meeting you, on-line and in real life, was one of the highlights of my year. I agree with Bryan and nominate you for Best Blog of 2009! You inspire me daily.
Can’t wait to see what 2010 will bring for you!
Jane
Sometimes The Boy wanders in when I’m writing a post, and I read him the post aloud. He stopped me after #6 on this one and said, “I don’t want to interrupt, but I wouldn’t leap just yet. I have all the nets right now as part of my grand hostile takeover of the fishing monopoly.”
See?
Kathy, Wow, thank you so much! And, yay, you’re here! :-)
Marsha, “Marsha’s muse” is officially on my resume now. Woo-hoo!
Bryan, Mutual love fest! *mwah*
Jane, Like worlds colliding, right? You are awesome, on blog and in person.
Love that you look at the challenges of the year as learning experiences! I had quite the year, too, and I’m going to attempt to emulate your attitude about it from now on. Oh, and the wine bar sounds awesome.
First, The Boy is obviously following right in his mom’s footsteps – smart & witty.
Second, you took my breath away with your answer to No. 1 – your “Beckoning of the Lovely” project. I came to this game late, but I will soon be going back to read those posts. And your definition of “fearlessly – nervously and with a vague sense of dread.” Awesome!
Third, No. 10 – the “ad” on YouTube, I mean to visit 156 countries in 4 minutes is amazing. And “All You Need is Love” is one of my favorite songs.
Fourth, I’ve enjoyed all of your responses on all 3 posts. You are insightful, brilliant, witty, hilarious, beautiful, generous, engaging, … I could go on, but you already know (or should!) how much you inspire me! Don’t forget I am always here, ready to hold your hand. *BIG hug* Dani
Charlotte, True confessions, at the time I didn’t call them learning experiences. I’m sure I called them something far more colorful and angsty. ;-)
Dani, You hold my hand every day. I am one lucky girl! The Boy is awesome – much funnier and off the wall than I am; he is surpassing his teacher handily.
Oh! I just thought of this: You are a lovely I’ve beckoned! Woo-hoo!
Ok, so when are we going to Swirl on the Square?
And, yes, we are going to rock 2010!
Yay! I am looking forward to it!
so, I have read this list a couple, 2, 3 10 times, and realized a couple things
First, and not most important, I am missing out on all of these experiences. i think I’m gonna have to tie a rope to you and follow you around to experience half the stuff that you do.
Second, I am impressed by list after list of positive things that you took from 2009. I can go anywhere online, or talk to friends who are so quick to leave 2o09 behind, to focus on the things that went wrong, and yet you give us not one, but three lists of the best of 2009. How positive! How wonderful! it sets the tone for what I can look forward to in 201o. Thank you for being so positive, so forward looking, so willing to take us on the journey with you. For extracting only the best out of last year, and setting the standard for 2010
Went back to see if I could contribute… I got nothing…
I guess I’ll agree with the rest… ZS should be at the top of the list… it’s at the top of mine
Judy, ZS is tops on my list – along with Jane B’s as you both are such great writers so witty and real. #7 – I’m truly lucky to know Jane and I can’t wait to read both of your published works.
I adored #1 and waited each week to get a piece of the lovely; genius!
#5 shows how you inspire me every time I read your blog. I have to trust that there’s those nets around and leap more often. That’s going to be my first New Years resolution. Thanks for the push into scared bravery!
I love #9 as my boy makes me giddy everyday and reminds me that being childlike is a gift to be cherished.
Can’t wait to read more of Zs and you’re words of inspiration, wisdom, humor, joy in 2010!
Happy New Year Judy and all…
Mairi
That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me, J! I’m so happy that you beckoned!
TPM, No rope required; you can hold the hand Dani isn’t holding! ;-) I think the thing about 2009 for me, is it had to happen. I was at a crossroads. I’m still figuring out what it all means, but everyone has those leap or fall years. (2009 was both for me, but holy cow… what a ride.)
Oh, and you did contribute. Silly.
Mairi, *blushing* Thanks! I need to think of another project for Mondays… And thank you for always being here and being supportive. You are awesome!
Oops, Missed Terre! Sorry, pretty lady! We could totally do Swirl! Maybe that should be one of our 2010 things. And yes, 2010… I’m looking forward to it too!
Getting together does not have to be with the hubbies! We can do it ourselves. Maybe next time you are on this side of the hill, let me know if you have time and we can meet for coffee or something.
Of course, I still would like to get together with the hubbies, too, but I don’t want to not get together at all because we are trying to get four schedules syched!
No fair! If Dani and TPM each get a hand, that must mean I get the rope. I’m gonna need one if you carve my path for me (I’m too lazy). Or maybe we can all form a single file line in behind you. Because you rock!
Terre, Okay. I’ll be your way in January. Stay tuned.
Tricia, I think TPM is biggest. And he’s a superhero, too, so we’ll just all climb on him and let him fly us around on adventures. Yay! Now we all have a 2010 plan. (Until TPM comes back in and tells me this idea is too silly even for him.)
J
What a cool set of prompts. I need to start writing down stuff that happens in my life so I can have something to say should prompts like these ever end up in my doorstep.
As it is right now, I can maybe think about stuff from December, and not much further back than that. But hey, I get to wrap my own Christmas presents, hide my own easter eggs, yadda, yadda, yadda.
Cheers
George
George, That’s the nice thing about having a blog, goofball. You can check back and see what you did. Well, that’s one nice thing. Another is attracting quality friends like you.
Look out, 2010!