What a year for a new year...

So, 2009 is just over 10 hours from its completion, and in what seems to be a growing consensus, I will not be sad to see it go.

Truthfully, there was a lot of good in my life this year. It's easy to look past that when I think about all the rough things I've dealt/am dealing with, but I can't honestly say that everything that happened in the last year of the decade was awful.

Overall, it was an incredibly challenging year for me - personally, professionally, scholastically.

By far, the biggest change in my life this year was returning to school after several years of working fulltime. In January, I dove into a full credit load schedule, not having any idea how I was going to do it, but planning on giving it my all. I ended my first semester back with a 3.57, and made the Dean's List. I also was awarded a scholarship from my college that will last until I graduate, and take at least a little bit of student loans off my back. This past semester I ended up dropping classes after an unrelated event caused me to completely lose focus, but I still pulled it out, and I finish the year as a college junior (9 years after starting college courses) and with a 3.42 GPA. Next year I plan on returning to two full semesters, and 2 courses over the spring and summer, and I am fully planning on kicking ass and taking names.

At work, I think I did a good job of staying focused and getting things done. Because of my school schedule, I ended up working quite a lot of nights and weekends over the last year, and spending many days close to ripping my hair out. My team has been shorthanded all year, and my desk showed the extra jobs I was taking on. It was stressful, it was crazy, but in the end, I know my work is appreciated, and I feel confident in knowing that I'm not only getting by, I'm building a career.

Personally, there were far more downs than ups. That's all I'm saying about that, other than at times, I'm surprised I made it through without having a full-fledged breakdown. Also, I have learned more about myself and what I'm capable of handling in the last three months than maybe the last two decades. And I've grown up more in the last three months than I ever would have thought possible.

So, 2009. Goodbye, good ridance. Thanks for the lessons, thanks for the memories, wish you woulda skipped over the shit luck. Won't miss you. At all.

2010, let's hear it for a fresh start and second chances. Try to not screw us all over too bad, k?

Happy New Year lovies! Tomorrow, resolutions? We'll see...

an open letter to the undergarment industry....

[note: this is a couple of months old, but knowing a few of you who may see this, i think you will appreciate]

Dear Sports Bra Manufacturers (specifically Champion):

I am writing to tell you of the issues I have discovered with your products.
Please bear in mind as you read this the fact that I rarely have the need for a sports bra. I don't go to the gym more than once a year, I certainly only run if I'm being chased. My workout DVDs make great coasters.

However, it's softball season again. And running is necessary.

Last year I tried to start the season prepared. I went to several shops trying to find a sports bra that worked for me.

Now, I don't know about you or the size of your breasts, but I'm willing to bet that if you're designing these sports bras, you must be an A-cup.

Here are some concerns I have:

1 - I do not care if my breasts are lifted and separated. I would really just prefer that these things are strapped down as tight as possible. This prevents the issue of getting smacked in the face with a blob of fat while running, jumping, or breathing slightly heavy.

2 - The "convertible" straps? Who are you kidding? Those things do NOT stand up to a set of double-Ds bouncing during a brisk walk to 1st base. Last year I almost took my eye out. I'd prefer that didn't happen again.

3 - I fail to understand why if a woman is a A-B-or-C-cup, she gets her choice of bright colors, fun prints, and moisture wicking material, but if she is a D-cup or larger, she is stuck in some scary white contraption that looks to be straight out of a 1950's porn. Three inch straps and 6 hooks in the back? Not so comfortable.

4 - I did find one acceptable garment. It was comfortable, mostly confining, I was still able to breathe....
Unfortunately, it was $80!
Now, I'm sure I could get a similar effect by piling on 3 or 4 of the $8.99 Target brands...but really? Eighty dollars? That's almost a monthly payment on a Ford Focus! Is that really necessary?


Now, my friends in the intimates industry, I understand that it is difficult to cater to every woman's individual needs. I have to give you some props for even trying.

But when I take 15 sports bras into the dressing room, and have no luck, I start to question if it isn't an 18-year-old boy designing these things.

Because to be perfectly honest, I'm not really comfortable wearing something that doesn't keep my boobs from bouncing if I so much as turn my head.

So, my flat-chested friends, please remember these few things in the next round of designs - bouncing=bad, concussions from breasts gone awry=worse, and anything that looks like it belongs on an S&M loving nurse=unspeakably horrifying.

Perhaps next year I'll be able to find something to meet my needs.

Until then, I've got a roll of duct tape and a high pain tolerance.

Love til later,
Andrea