The Great Big 2010 Sum Up

So, 2010 is now in the books and I'm left with a few final thoughts about it. Some good, others, not so much.

2010 is the year I finally became a published author. This was a major Thing for me. I've been struggling with that all my adult life--and throughout my teenaged years. I'd given up on writing fiction, period, until a friend heard about this contest and remembered a story of mine she'd read and prodded me into submitting it. Viola, after a rewrite, story was accepted! (For your convenience, if you want you can order the book via the links to your left.) The editor asked me to make it significantly longer, which I thought wouldn't work for it, but I was wrong--the additional material gave it some contrast and deepened the plot somewhat, and allowed for the back story to develop to the point where it tied in nicely with the ending. Reading the reviews of the anthology, on Amazon and elsewhere, nobody specifically mentions my story--everyone seems to dig the two zombie stories much more than mine. But, still, if you'll turn in your hymnals to page 183, you'll see, "Cabin Fever, by J. Franklin Evans."

2010 was the year I found out the company I work for is closing the office here in Savannah. I'll be moving to the new office in another town, when they decide where that new office is going to be. All I know at this point is "west of Atlanta."

I've lived in Savannah over twenty years so this will be a big deal to me. I also absolutely loathe Atlanta so I hope we can find a place for the office where the traffic doesn't result in a 90 minute commute each way every day. And I find a place close to wherever the office is, in a decent  neighborhood, so I can establish a comfort zone that meets my needs. Otherwise I won't last very long. Also, my boss isn't coming with us so I'll have a new manager. Our department is merging with another one and the manager for  that  department is also not making the move. So, for the first time in forever, I'll have a new manager at work. That will take some serious getting used to.

2010 is the year Atari, my Akita, was diagnosed with renal failure. There's really not much that can be done for that--the vet switched his arthritis med to one that's easier on his kidneys, but the trade-off is it's rougher on his liver. He's also switched to a low protein diet, which means he has to get special dog food which he hates. Still, other than he's realy slow when we go walkies, and he spends most of his time sleeping, he's doing well.

2010 was the year I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. Doc put me on medication--oral and injectible--and the blood sugar is now under control. I also put myself on a diet which is working--weight is down from 286 to 254.  34 pounds to go to hit the upper end of my target weight. I want to stay between 200 and 220. 200 is actually my ideal body weight. Fortunately, I know how to lose weight, and I remember some nutritional info from my body-building days. Unfortunately, with diabetes the hunger pangs are much more spectacular, so it's harder to resist the temptation to cheat. I'll manage.

2010 is the year I discovered I'm going to need some minor surgery, which I will be having this month. That was how the blood sugar issue came to light, during a visit to the doctor. Have to get that under control before going under the knife.

2010 is the year I came up with an idea for a TV show or web series that I think will interest some people in the business. I pitched it a friend of mine who is getting into that business now and she loved it--she's going to help me with it when she can, as I have no idea where to go with it from here. She's rather busy herself, though, having her own webseries she is now responsible for. (See the link to Witchy Ways, above and to your right. You can contribute to the series to help make it happen--I did.)

2011 is going to be a better year, I just know it. For all of us. Really. I just know it.

So, what was 2010 like for you? Highlights? Lowlights?