Community / Beautifully Different / Party / Wisdom

Prompt 7 – Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?

This year was an odd one, because compared with the last two years, where I truly felt like "a part of something" online, I feel like I fell away from internet social communities. In 2008 and 2009 I was so involved with ontd_ai (and active in ONTD) that it was like having another family. We bonded over the same loves and jokes and stupid things, but I became so preoccupied with spending my precious last moments in North Carolina with my real-life friends (as well as packing and moving, you know) that I just didn't care as much anymore. It's funny, because I used to be the go-to resource for any of my friends wondering about what's up with ANY celebrity, and now I only have a clue about, like, who Taylor Swift just broke up with (Jake! Run! You're freeeeeee!!).
In the same prompt, though, it's absolutely necessary to gush about the bonding I did with friends old and new in 2010. Leaving my friends in NC in May was so difficult, but they all pitched in and helped me... from taking me out for birthday/goodbye dinners & drinks, to throwing me 2 parties (in one weekend!), to sitting on my bare floor helping me pack last-minute crap (and making me sing high notes for their amusement)... It made me realize how much I needed those people in my life, and how much I would miss them.
The wonderful women I've met since I've moved here to NYC have made such a difference in my life, too. The dudes are all well and great, sure, but I never thought I'd find such great female friends, and so many.

Prompt 8 – Beautifully Different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful. 

This is a barfy question and I don't like it. My quirks make me fantastic, yes, and people seem to enjoy my sense of humor, but I'm not going to get all Braggy McBraggerson about it. So... blerg.

Prompt 9 – Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans. 

Two words: OFFICE PARTIES. These are just not good ideas for me, but they are such blasts. But I'd have to say the coolest party I went to in 2010... well... okay, I could never choose.
My "Facebook wedding" to my friend CK was hysterical and I showed up in a white dress, veil, & bouquet...
The party weekend mentioned in Prompt 7, where two separate (yet intermingling) groups of friends threw me fabulous parties to say goodbye...
My last night at trivia, where we basically hijacked the DJ and convinced him to play all of our favorites, from "Evacuate The Dancefloor" to Styx's "Come Sail Away" (complete with slow-dancing with the Indian dude who had once asked me out via iPhone screensaver)...
And the Epicurious Entertains party where I drank probably 2.5 bottles of champagne (LORDY) and met a lot of cool people and figured out that my boss really loved having me around and would fight for me to stay.

Prompt 10 – Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?

Blah blah blah, moved to NYC, etc. This was such a milestone in my life, and everything has worked out so brilliantly from the moment I made the decision (technically that was in late December but STILL). I guess if I had to pick ANOTHER "wisest decision" it wouldn't even really be a conscious decision that I intended to make, but I feel like I have finally started liking guys who would actually be GOOD for me. For a long time after the breakup, I was falling for assholes or guys who were completely unavailable (married/gay/priest/etc)... but a pattern is starting to emerge that is positive and healthy, and I rather like it. Now to just keep that up...