2016 WRAP UP (or BEAT DOWN)

Poor poor you, 2016. People despise you. They are hosting “BUH-BYE 2016” parties all month long and drinking copiously to forget about you forever.

You deserve it, don’t you? You are a murderer — of humans and dreams. You are killing people as I write this (George Michael, Carrie Fisher, her mom Debbie Reynolds — who’s next?). And the dreams, oh the dreams. Do I need to recap the bloodied dreams of Brits, Americans, and very possibly every being with a soul on planet Earth?

You deserve to end, 2016. But before you do I need to say “I’m sorry”. Because you are hated but you were not all bad. You were pretty good to me personally and professionally and for that I thank you. (Compared to my 2009 you were a chocolate frosting covered dancing unicorn).

In memoriam of my retired but still readable blog 100 First Dates where I honored each year in a “Year End Wrap Up” post, here is one for you, 2016, you little beast.

1 ENGAGEMENT

The Takeaway: Holy crap, after hundreds of dates I have a lifelong partner on lockdown. I am grateful for him.

1 LEAP TO FREELANCE

The Takeaway: Self-leadership, more yoga and less commuting everyday equals a long, happy life.

2 SKETCHES WRITTEN, PERFORMED & FILMED

The Takeaway: Do stuff that is ridiculous and weird as often as possible. And get it on film. (Watch ’em here: Brainstorm Gone Wrong + Blair)

3 CLASSES TAKEN — ACTING, NONFICTION WRITING, SKETCH WRITING

The Takeaway: I can write. I like to write. I will finally (really, I swear!) write a book in 2017.

5 COUNTRIES TRAVELED — Costa Rica, Germany, England, France, Greece

The Takeaway: If we want to make America great again we have to leave America. We need to understand how other communities take care of their people, and we need to emulate them. (Also Greek salads really are better in Greece.)

14 WORKSHOPS FACILITATED & DESIGNED

The Takeaway: The key to living a happy, creative life (besides yoga and not commuting) is to play. Don’t forget to play.

30 DAYS OF YOGA

The Takeaway: Every day is different and that is ok. Some days I am strong, some days I wobble, but every day I am me.

290 PEOPLE EMPOWERED THROUGH MY WORKSHOPS

The Takeaway: People are smart and funny. I constantly learn from their diverse perspectives. I need people!

Goodbye forever, 2016. Hello nice to see you, 2017