I used to write a lot about personal stuff on my blog, but I kind of shied away from it over the years. Hipstercrite started as a sort of journal for me, a place for me to chronicle my adventures moving from Los Angeles to Austin and post passive-aggressive notes to former boyfriends, but it’s slowly become a depository for my commentary on society and pop culture. I still write the occasional personal piece, but my reality has become much more boring. My life is normal and happy- all the things I hoped for when I was the angsty twenty-something who started this blog. Reality also comes with sadness; life deals you some tough blows as you age, and I guess I decided that Hipstercrite was going to become a strictly fun place. With that being said, I thought I’d write a post about my year, which entailed some ups and downs- as most years do.
-Some of you may remember Lionel, my grandma’s partner of many years. Last I wrote about him, he had Alzheimer’s and was living in a care facility. Lionel died three weeks ago, the day before my grandmother’s 89th birthday. It was both a shock and a blessing; Lionel’s state was not an enviable one. Regardless, it was difficult news to hear. Lionel was the closest thing I had to a grandfather.
If you want to see Grandma and Lionel in their “happier” times, check out this video I took in 2010. Needless to say, Lionel was a character.
-A year ago this week, Grandma was told she had cancer. We had no idea what 2015 had in store for us.
Last week, she was told she is cancer-free. Though Grandma has been experiencing some memory issues, she’s pretty damn healthy for a 89-year-old. I took this picture last week when I treated her to a pedicure.
-I no longer work full-time at the LIVESTRONG Foundation, though they’re still a client. The organization went through a restructure, and though I think the new management and staff will lead the organization in a positive direction, I miss my old team. LIVESTRONG was the first job where I felt respected, valued and encouraged. I grew both as an individual and as a writer, thanks to the incredible staff who worked there.
-With that being said, I jumped back into the freelance world. This year I had a handful of clients, thanks in part to the tiny houses post, and one of those clients turned into my main employer (though I still do freelance work on the side). That employer is a new health insurance startup in Austin called KindHealth, and they’re doing really cool and progressive things in the health coverage world. If you need insurance, lemme know.
-My partner in love and weirdness, Geoff, relocated to Denver for work, and I now split my time between Austin and Denver. This development has been both exciting and stressful. I miss my best friend.
-The tiny houses post brought me many new opportunities, which I am so thankful for. However, I fear that I will never again write a piece that people enjoy so much. I already had one client I submitted content to say “Oh, we were hoping you’d write a tiny house-type post for us.” I’m not a funny person. I have moments, but I can’t turn it on all the time. I wish I could.
-I still don’t fly, so I trained it everywhere. I highly recommend it. I even dragged Geoff along with me in June (he flew back- that asshole).
-I took some awesome trips with my fam: a road trip through West Texas and New Mexico with my father, and a road trip to Colorado with my mother. I value these trips immensely. Below is a pic of my dad in Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico.
-Hipstercrite was named Best Local Blog in the Austin Chronicle’s Best Of, which was an awesome surprise. Like, a REALLY awesome surprise.
-I shot a gun for the first time and I nearly pissed myself.
Things I hope for in 2016:
-That everyone stays happy and healthy.
-That I actually start writing my damn book.
-That the X-files reboot is good (same with Independence Day 2).
-That I get over my fear of flying.
-That Austin stays awesome.
I hope all of you had a good 2015, and I hope 2016 is even better for you. Thanks for those of you who have hung in here with me. Your support means the world to me. <3
9 Comments
Thank you for sharing the video of your grandmother and Lionel! I feel like I got an accurate glimpse into their charming partnership form the short clip. She looks very happy in the pedicure picture 🙂 Cheers and happy holidays!
Thank you for coming by! <3
I think that this has to be one of the best you have written.
I think that this has to be on of the best things you have ever written. i can relate to the things in the text completely, like how you can be funny but not all the time, that’s totally me!
I really love your work, you are an inspiration to me, a twelve year old girl from Raleigh NC. i think i’m gonna start writing a book too. we can be book buddies!! :}
-Mirabell Elizabeth Lotz
Hi, Mirabella! Thanks for coming by. You should start writing a book!
Awesome post. This year was challenging and nostalgic for me too. I hope I see Austin again this coming year.
With respect to Lionel, I’m sorry for your loss. Regarding your Grandma, happy to hear she is cancer free; and yes, she still looks great. Concerning you, best wishes today and everyday and when in hell are you and your mother gonna visit me in Florida? Just think, together, all three of us can stand at the edge of this great continent and scream like friggen maniacs cause the surf will drown us out.
Great post. Sorry to hear its been a tough year. 2015 was the year I discovered blogs, in particular American blogs like yours as I am mentally preparing myself for the cultural differences when I move there (your Bernie Sanders post gave me faith in the American people and reassured me that moving there isn’t a completely crazy idea).
I also have a fear of flying but fly on average 20 times a year. I come from an island and married someone whose family all live between 1000-3000 miles apart. I can recommend some great ways of easing the fear. I found a great “hypnosis” download online. Its not quite hypnosis, more a recording you listen to several times before a flight with a calm voice talking you through a flight and helping you relax about the whole situation. Also, I once attended a fear of flying course given by an retired pilot. Although it wasn’t cheap, it was fantastic as he explained why planes make certain sounds at certain moments, why they fly in certain paths, etc. None of these things have “cured” me but they have been a huge help. On long haul flights I take something to knock me out and a glass of wine always helps too (although on morning flights people tend to look at you disapprovingly and presume you’re an alcoholic).
Best of luck with 2016!
hey please check out the bucks den! its full of hipster shit!!!!