In keeping with my annual tradition (2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008), this New Year’s Eve I’m reflecting on everything that’s happened this year.

My word of the year for 2017 was warm bread with butter on it.

In January, we went to a Sufi retreat, during which events transpired that caused Kyeli to distance herself from the path.

In February, my mom and brother came to visit. It was revealing, and great to reconnect with my brother whom I hadn’t seen for like 12 years.

In March, we went to Portland for Grandia Portlandia: Kyeli’s 40th birthday bash! It was spectacular.

In April, our beloved cat, Phineas Nix, died of lymphoma.

In May, we Visited Kelly for her bachelorette party.

In June, Kelan visited and we talked about conformity, we merged our two podcasts into one, and we helped Kelly and Chris get married.

In July, we visited Austin, and my company made me an offer in exchange for spending 1/4 of my time in Austin. We said yes. Then I went to IEA and it was great except for the fact that Kyeli didn’t come.

In August, we decided to move, since our reasons for moving to Lansing were no longer valid.

In September, we sold our house and waited for banks to do bank things.

In October, Kelly and Amanda flew in to surprise me for my birthday! We moved out, and stayed in Minneapolis for a couple of weeks. We saw Caitlyn at the MIA and went to our first live comedy show.

In November, we moved to Austin and got settled in our new apartment. Kyeli visited her family for Thanksgiving and I opted out and watched OK GO videos instead.

In December, I had my first gyn exam in 13 years, we celebrated Yule with Dru, Kyeli and I went on a cruise to celebrate our 10th anniversary (two years late), I retired as a competitive DDR player, and Kelly stayed with us for a few days.

In summary, my goal for 2017 was to put down roots in Lansing and engage with my life. It didn’t work. How many of the above events actually took place in Lansing with people who live in Lansing? Only one – and it was bad. Lansing was a mistake born out of of desperation, and the culture wasn’t a good fit for us.

In 2018, my goal is exactly the same – to put down roots and engage with my life – except in Austin and the Pacific Northwest. Hopefully I’ll have better results. (: