Just checking in, mostly (and saying good riddance to 2012)

I really don't have much to update you on. I went to Wyoming for Thanksgiving. I hugged the stuffing out of my dad. I flew back to the West Coast. I've been working a lot. I've been looking forward to the end of a shitty, horrible year. I have a new (RED!) laptop, which I love and hug and want to name. I occasionally get to dog-sit the sweetest duo of dogs in the most beautiful House in the Woods (and watch unlimited "Miss Marple" and "Sherlock" and "Poirot" and have use of a boiling-water spigot - it's like driving 8 miles to go on vacation, and getting paid for the whole thing).

I tried to go clam digging in October. In the dark. In a storm. With a friend who grew up in the California desert and who had also never been clam digging before. Needless to say - we didn't catch any clams. I wore some dead-sexy chest waders, though. Might have to get me a pair of them.

I have discovered Skype, and I wonder how my life had been complete before it. I call my parents just to "sit" in their back room for an hour or so at a time. I love it. Love it, love it, love it.

I still sleep too much and drink too much wine. I still read a lot - occasionally in bars in cities where I don't live. It's entertaining. It lets me feel mysterious and unknown while also enjoying a pint of porter and getting to know a fantastic author. There is nothing but win in that scenario.

I had to force myself to decorate for Christmas, and I'm apparently not alone. Whoever I talk to, we agree that this feels like the most un-Christmasy Christmas EVER. And that was before that asshole shot up the school in Connecticut.

I spent last weekend in a state of numbness, wanting to punch the television, hide under a desk, scream "WHY?!? For God's sake - WHY?!?" at the top of my freaking lungs and punch (unnamed) for being so utterly clueless ... but I simply went through the motions of putting newspapers together and cried myself to sleep, hoping to avoid nightmares (good luck).

I will not be sad to see this year end. My sister-in-law lost both her parents. I'm frickin' sick of ICU wards. I've spent thousands (not an exaggeration) on airfare. I fell flat on my face — TWICE — trying to catch a (missed) airplane connection. I yelled at a nurse. I gained ungodly amounts of weight. I caved in and got a Pinterest account (begin shunning ... NOW). I discovered boxed wine.

Barring the apocalypse, I will (I hope) be on better footing with the world in general for 2013. I have a feeling big changes are coming, whether I want them or not. But I also think that it would take a (horrible) lot to top the awful that was 2012.

Good riddance, you hellish, effing year.