Bad Copy

This year was rough. Between still trying to maneuver the post-COVID landscape, getting COVID a second time anyway, overcoming an eating disorder, having a mental breakdown, figuring out how the heck you’re supposed to date, and just overall watching our society collapse around us… I’m more than happy to punch this year in the throat and send it to the past. In spite of all this turmoil, I have actually learned a thing or two and plan to share my knowledge with y’all.

SO! Here’s my top 5 things I have learned this year

1. BE HONEST ON DATING APPS

I am in a relationship with someone I am legitimately happy with right now. That’s not to say I went on a bunch of horrible dates before that, and a couple of good ones. Here’s the thing that I thought was kinda dumb, kinda obvious, but actually is the dang truth. Most people kinda put up a façade on these apps of who they wish they were, or try to appeal to a certain audience. I get it. I wanna look hot just as much as the next babe. The wild thing is, I didn’t start getting genuine matches until I just was completely honest on the apps. Sure, I posted nice pics, but in the written sections I was just myself. The matches went WAY down, because I am a nerdy goofball, but the quality of the matches went SKY HIGH. I ended up matching with someone who we ended up not really gelling romantically, but realized that we are pretty dang good at just being friends. Then I met this beautiful babe who swiped on me because she is also into Cryptozoology, which is something I added when I decided to just be more honest with my profiles. I like Bigfoot, Wendigos, The Jersey Devil, Chupacabras, Mothman, etc. etc. and so does she. Now, we spend our time watching cryptid documentaries together. If that ain’t what love is, I don’t wanna know otherwise.

2. REACH OUT TO YOUR FRIENDS WHEN YOU NEED THEM

Hooboy… this is a toughy for a lot of us. I have always been the protector amongst my friends and family. Being the oldest of 8, I kinda had to be. The first half of this year really REALLY fucked me up. If it wasn’t for my friends showing up for me when I finally caved in and reached out, I honestly wouldn’t be here today. When I was having especially bad nights, my DnD group was there to cheer me up (shoutout to Shannon from Ramona, Jen from Hammerbombs, and Scout from Kirby’s Dream Band. Also my little sibling Lee, but they aren’t in a band… YET). When I needed someone to take my mind off things, I would give my friends a call/text and they’d be down to hangout (another shoutout to Uriel from Ricky and Branson from Toxins because you two were usually the ones that were on the receiving end of these calls/texts). When I was at my lowest lowest point and was legitimately having a breakdown, my friend Hunter was able to guide me through it and continue to check on me and for that I will forever be grateful to that beautiful man.

3. IT’S OK TO DO THINGS BY YOURSELF

Oof. I hate this one. I’m still working on this one, but it’s true. Sometimes you need to just go out solo and not worry about your friends. I went to a baseball game earlier this year by myself when I was feeling really low and I legit had a great time. I still feel uncomfortable going to restaurants alone, but I am now totally fine with going to the movies solo. There truly is nothing like a dark theater just to yourself. People like me who like to take care of people and try to keep everyone happy need to realize that everyone includes US. That means that we also need to take care of ourselves. All those other nerds we watch out for can have us the rest of the time, but take like one day a month to just go out and do something solo.

4. SOUTH DETROIT IS NOT REAL

What the fuck, Journey? Did y’all know this? South Detroit is technically Windsor, Canada. So that city boy was Canadian.

5. YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO START A PATH TOWARDS A NEW CAREER

I like maps. I have liked maps my whole life. My little brother and I used to sit in the backseat of my dad’s truck plotting road trips and adventures on my dad’s Atlases (Remember those?! Remember physical maps?! I’m old!). I won the National Geographic Bee for the Northeastern US when I was 13 years old. I am awesome at Geography and fascinated with Cartography.

I work in construction.

I don’t wanna do that! I WANNA BE A MAP BOI!

So, I started a GIS (Geographic Information Systems) certificate program at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). I friggin love it! You will find that a lot of these post grad programs or certifications are filled with people who are a little older and have come to the same conclusion as you that they need a change in their professional life. There are very few prior requirements for these programs as well, some even having no requirements. Sure, they can be kind of expensive, but there are lots of ways to get loans or scholarships for these programs.

Do what makes you happy!

2021 was one of the worst years of my life. 2022 was slightly better. As long as we keep exponentially getting better, we’ll be sitting pretty by 2030!

JK… society will collapse soon.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

BONUS YEAR END AWARDS

AOTY: Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers – Kendrick Lamar
Runner Up: Immutable – Meshuggah

SOTY – “Round Here” – Tobe Nwigwe
Runner Up – “Ego Death” – Polyphia

Best Concert – Tanna Leone, Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar at SDSU Viejas Arena
Runner Up – Trivium, Iron Maiden at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre

Best Movie – Everything Everywhere All At Once
Runner Up – Prey

Best Show – Sandman
Runner Up – Our Flag Means Death

Favorite DnD Character – A Giant Elk who randomly comes from my gray Bag of Tricks named Alan Dracula
Runner Up – My giant mountable fly named Seth

Favorite Book I Read – American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Runner Up – The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

GOTY – Horizon Forbidden West
Runner Up – Pokemon Scarlet
(I’m still working on God of War Ragnarok. Leave me alone.)