Final thoughts of 2015.

This is the last blog entry of 2015, so I’m going to focus on the positive aspects of this past year.  Sure, there were some bad things that happened, but I’ve spoken enough about them.  I choose to look back on the good things because I choose to be happy.  And so here is everything I had to be happy about in 2015:

– Star Power.  I could not be prouder of where this webcomic has gone since its launch.  Two successful Kickstarters.  An incredible audience (thank you all so much).  A working relationship with Garth that has strengthened our friendship.  Unforgettable convention appearances.  2015 was a great year for us in terms of growth and storytelling.  We can’t wait to show you what’s to come in 2016 and beyond.

– My son.  Yeah, I won the baby lottery.  My kid is pretty awesome.  Sure, there were (and still are) some rough patches and there are days that I get emotionally overwhelmed and want to tear my hair out, but overall my boy is stellar even on his worse day.  I did not expect to enjoy being a dad as much as I do, and I cannot imagine my life any differently in this moment.  These opinions may all change once he starts talking back to me, but right now I know I’m a lucky guy.

– My life in general.  I have a house.  I live in a nice town.  My wife is the most amazing woman on Earth and our families are loving, supportive, and wonderful.  It’s important to recognize that and acknowledge how fortunate I have been.

– My time in a burlesque troupe.  It ended in drama and I got fired, but I was allowed to stand beside some of the most fierce, brave, and wonderfully weird performers in Boston.  I wrote scripts for sold out shows and got to perform my own material.  I feel I did a great job at keeping audiences entertained and getting them excited for each performer.  Maybe one day I’ll be back on the burlesque stage.  In the meantime, I will look back in gladness on what I accomplished with the time I was given.

– Getting in shape.  This has been one of the biggest challenges and changes for me.  I’ve tried getting in shape numerous times in the past but nothing has ever stuck.  Now I’m motivated to become a big, strong dad for my son like my father was (and still is) for me.  I’ve been steadily exercising and eating better for 21 weeks now, and while I’m not the buff specimen I want to be, I’m slimming down and gaining definition.  It’s a start, and I’m proud of myself.

I hope none of this comes off as bragging.  It’s meant to be an acknowledgment of my good fortune and a means to lift myself up as a new year approaches.  It’s also Christmas Eve, and I refuse to be anything but happy.

See you folks in 2016, and thank you for everything.