What I'll Regret in 2018: Missing Lynne Stickor's Funeral

This image came from Deb Priestly, who with Chris Robbins were the only two poets to attend Lynne's service.

I wasn't invited to the service. I never expected to be, but I never expected Lynne to pass away. As outrageous as her holistic approach to fighting cancer may be, many of us thought if anyone could do it, she could.

She deserved at least one more conversation. Even if it wasn't to say goodbye.  Maybe I didn't.

What I'll Miss in 2018: This View of Jamaica Plain

I used to see this view of JP quite a bit, usually if I was coming home at a halfway decent time of the night.

This view happened less often as time went on as I pursued interests and relationships that took me more an more away from what was my home for over a decade.

That one bedroom was too good to be true. I tried not to take it for granted, but I probably did. THat's probably why the rent finally rose to astronomical levels. Too high for me to continue living there while saving for a house. I moved out completely by August first.

It was my home, and yet it wasn't. I miss Jamaica Plain more than  I miss my apartment. And I can go back to that street any time I want to. I'll see this view of JP again. Sometime next year, for sure.

People I Should Have Seen More of in 2018: Ron Goba and Keith Nystrom

Ron and Keith reviewing a poem from a September workshop.

I miss working with Ron and Keith as closely as I did back when Ron still lived near the red line. Thanks to regular gatherings at Doyle's in Jamaica Plain, there were several opportunities to benefit from Ron and Keith's wisdom regarding my poetry. Sadly, between moving and other projects, I did not take as many chances as I could have. Resolutions are cliche, but if I have any, it's to spend more time with these two the first chance I get.

People I'm Grateful for in 2018: Glenn Bowie

I'm typing and laying out this post while waiting on a doctor's appointment. This wouldn't be possible if not for a laptop donated to me by Glenn. I'm still able to fight the good fight because of Glenn (whose poems and photography are still appearing in Oddball Magazine), and I may not ever be able to repay him for his help. That's true for a lot of people who help me, but I'm highlighting Glenn in particular for the end of the year.

People I'm Grateful for in 2018: Skoot Mosby

Just as Lo Galluccio was the only person who could have helped me get my first show at the Dudley Cafe, Skoot was the only person I could have picked to headline it. I appreciate the top not performances he's given to Stone Soup wherever our location may be. I want to work with him even more in 2019.

People I'm Grateful for in 2018: Lo Galluccio

Shortly after I launched the concept of Stone Soup Stagecoach, Stone Soup lost it's previous home in Cambridge. It was hard to launch the auxiliary program when didn't have a regular home base anymore. Thankfully Lo had a great idea for a Stonecoast Review reading party in the fall. It went great, and Stone Soup now has a second home going into the new year. I'm grateful to Lo for being there to push this event as much as she did and help it be the success that it was. We'll be doing it again in 2019. much to my happiness.

Things I'm Proud of in 2018: Tales of the Alt-Blight

While a lot of my Medium related projects fell by the wayside, my found poem of "alternative" news maintained it's once a month schedule very nicely. I don't know how proud I am of the work overall, but I'm glad I maintained the regular schedule I set for myself.

One of my New Year's resolutions is to keep this going in 2019. The alt-right headlines should get real interesting once Mueller gets his ducks in a row.

People I'm Grateful for in 2018: Geoffrey Fallon

Below is the first drawing Geoffrey sent me when I pitched the idea of having him do a weekly comic for Oddball Magazine. Thirty-plus weeks later, and it's still going strong. 

I've wanted to do something with Geoffrey for years. Ever since I would watch him draw on napkins and read his hilarious biology-themed superhero epic. I hope it's as much a dream come true for him as it is for me.

Moments I'm Proud of in 2018: My Reading at the Boston Poetry Marathon

Photo by  Bridget Eileen.

I've posted this photo from the event numerous times. I've gone on about how good the experience was. I can't help it. I savored the experience so much.

It was less than eight minutes, but it did the trick. It made me realize how much I missed reading. If I have any say this coming year, I will read a lot more.

Things I'm Grateful for in 2018: Queen Mob's Tea House

Thanks to Editor Russell Bennetts )and Shuwei Fang, who helped with posting everything), I was published in Queen Mob's Tea House in February and again in July. Not only was it a great place to showcase a larger portion of my poetry, but they also paired it with my photography for the first time ever. I'm forever grateful to Russell, Shuwei, and the rest of the Queen Mob Crew for an opportunity I don't receive very often.

2018 in Review Starts Today

Focusing on positive things today, and maybe some not so positive things tomorrow.

My 2018 Year in Review

It's coming this weekend.