lagilman | Steady as she goes, sailing into the new year...

I don't do year-end roundups or evaluations - not public ones, anyway. For all that New Year's Eve is one of my favorite holidays (mainly because we all share it, even if on a rolling basis), my sense of time is fluid, most of my projects don't go on a calender basis (in terms of beginning/ending there) and a birthday seems as likely a place to reflect on done/undone as the turning of the world's year.

Also, I am constantly aware that it's all as arbitrary as any form of measurement we establish, and what does that all mean, anyway?

But it seems like there is a need to look back and assess, even briefly, on a regular basis, and this moment is as good as any. So.

This year saw me publish my 12th, 13th and 14th books (with #15 coming up in January 2011). Still not king, but not laughed out of the bookstore yet, either. I had my share of rejections and pitfalls, both personal and professional - projects turned down or derailed, things put off or rethought. I've been damaged by e-piracy, and encouraged by readers and peers. Doubts were a constant companion, as they ever are. My computer died a horridly spectacular death, and real estate values took another dive - let's not even talk about the economy. I went to a convention in Ireland (my first time there) and house-sat for a friend in France (huzzah for shoestring budgets!), signed to write three more books (employment!), welcomed Young Indy into the world (via Catie & Ted), lost out on a Nebula, was disappointed but not surprised by much of the world, and cheered by the occasional bright lights of reason and hope. I made new friends, reconnected with old ones, and found myself in a new relationship that took us both by surprise (in a good way). My family is well and accounted for, and the felines remain feline-fabulous.

So. Physical health, decent. Fitness level, needs work but acceptable. Fiscal health, likewise. Emotional health... pretty damn good. My sole resolution for 2011: to use my time more efficiently, so I know where it all goes, and am satisfied with the results.

If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's that you deal with the bad, enjoy the good, and don't let any of it drag you down too deep or lift you up too far. Steady as she goes....