It would be easy to do a year-in-recap post and talk about all of the things I didn't get to do. As in, I didn't take a cruise to Cozumel. Or, I didn't get my first novel published. Instead, I will focus on the things I DID get accomplished.
January
I started my last semester of school at the University of South Florida. I focused on finishing up my anthropology minor and weaseled my way into a graduate level multimedia journalism class.
February(ish)
I bought my own domain name (wendylbolm.com, which will lead you right back here) and started a panicky job search for my post-graduation life. I also had an awesome Valentine's party with friends and geeked it up.
March
I started working at TravelVideoStoreas a media specialist. So, I now thankfully have a job when many other people don't. One one of my days off, I attended an Anonymous protest, where I got some great audio of members'conspiracy theories. I never got to use it in my projects, because members of the school's video lab had an impossible time trying to convert the video to digital files. At Megacon, I managed not to spend hundreds of dollars again this year.
April
As the result of a strange April Fool's prank, I told a guy I liked that I liked him, which started my only awkward, slightly rewarding romance of this year. I also decided to keep most of his friends for my own. I also had a few promising job interviews.
May
Yay! It was my birthday (and a friend's horrible Bridezilla wedding on the same day) and graduation all in one month. I also spent a day swimming a few feet away from frolicking dolphins with some of my friends in Clearwater.
June
My romance fizzled, and I amped up attempts to get freelance gigs.
July
I landed a gig with 411, writing events listings and features. This led to me interviewing Hal Sparks and Matt Rothschild. I also landed a part in Busch Gardens's Howl O' Scream.
August
I picked up a few web writing freelance gigs.
September
Rehearsals started for HOS, and with freelancing, my job, and scaring people for money, I felt I might actually make it financially for the first time in my life. So, I made the decision to cut back to part time at work so I could grow my freelancing business. I went to St. Augustine on my first Vacation as a real life grown-up.
October
I attended my mother's wedding and scared people all month. I realized freelancing wouldn't be bringing in as much as I thought, so I looked to branch out once more and got help in blog monetization. I also applied for the A Room of her Own's Gift of Freedom grant.
November
I contacted an editor at the Times about freelancing for the Pasco edition and started my TypePad blog, which I've been tinkering with. I also started networking again. I also started writing for the Gazette and had an article published on the LGBT community and religion and on the rallies held when Amendment 2 and Prop 8 were passed.
December
I had my first article published in the Timesand found out I'm going to be covering some of the city council meetings in Pasco County. So, now I have my own beat!
So, I think it's been a pretty good year, and I'm thinking 2009 will be even better.