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Bonsior, mes très chers amis!

Here we are in the last dwindling hours of 2010. Most people are either getting ready to go out tonight or spending time quietly with family and friends. Many of my friends are staying in tonight in order to watch the ubergroup that is now NKOTBSB on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve somewhere around 11:30 on the East coast. I think my family is mostly staying in tonight even though we were invited to our neighbors’ soirée. My uncle has been fighting double pneumonia for days now and his partner works so much that they basically collapse around eight every night. I would kind of like to go to the soirée next door but I don’t know anybody else except our neighbors and I get antsy in situations where I don’t feel like I fit in with people. So, here I sit, cuddling my dog and typing away on my laptop as I do most nights. It’s comfortable. It’s routine. I saw my best friend today and we worked on a scrapbook together, which was, honestly, better than any big glittery soirée with a bunch of booze and loud people. I don’t drink anyway! I’m betting she doesn’t even make it until midnight, that old lady. Wink, wink!

Paris, the motherland, is already in 2011. This picture isn’t from tonight but I like it anyway. It’s strange to think that half the world is already in a whole new year while the other half still exists in the previous year.

I didn’t accomplish all of the goals I set for myself in 2009 going into 2010, but on the other hand, I accomplished a lot that I didn’t think possible for myself. I had wanted to publish another book but I decided rushing myself wasn’t going to work. I don’t want to publish a poorly written book just to check off a New Year’s resolution. I have several books in the works though. My novel about the French Revolution is in its second draft and probably the closest to being finished. The sequel to From the Darkness Risen is progressing fairly well too. At some point, I plan to release an expanded special edition of Unveiled: Fanny Chamberlain Reincarnated because there is more than enough material and interest to re-release such a book. I have a few new books that I never anticipated beginning either but when the muse moves me, I tend to follow its lead. Certainly there will be a book published in 2011 but as I said, I’m more concerned with publishing good material than fulfilling resolutions.

There are several personal things I hope to accomplish in 2011 as well. These things have to do with better management of my energy and time. I have fatigue issues that were new in 2010 and I find myself unable to go at the constant pace that I prefer. Something is forcing me to slow down. Oil painting is another thing I hope to fill 2011 with and I have a lot of ideas in my head. Painting is actually a calming activity that helps me focus. I thought it would fry my nerves but it’s actually quite the opposite. It’s comforting.

Of course 2011 is going to bring more traveling and gathering with my friends, beginning next month. A bunch of my friends are getting together for a double birthday dinner for my friend Gretchen and me. Then in May, I’m going on a cruise with Sissy, Dena, Maryka, and basically everybody else. After that, in June, I’m going to New York with Abbie, Di, Katy and others. I would like to go to Gettysburg again too but I’m not sure if that will work out since I’m facing the prospect of major surgery this year. I will practically need a construction worker to rebuild the sorry excuses for feet I got in this life. I’m hoping I can take care of this problem after my traveling so I can recover into next winter when I’m not doing anything of interest.

What about you? How was your 2010? What are your hopes for 2011?