"We are the hero of our own story." --Mary McCarthy

I've decided to try Reverb 10. Reverb 10 is "an online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what's next".  Authors give you a daily prompt through December to blog about, journal, photograph....whatever.  Check it out at http://www.reverb10.com/. 

I'm not sure I'll be able to blog every day in December.  That just seems like too much work.  As much of a planner, routine, curmudgeonly person as I am, I like to free-flow my writing.  If I tell you I'm going to blog about something, it probably won't happen. For some reason, once I voice it or commit to it, I don't want to do it.  It's the opposite from every other facet of my life.  Odd,  isn't it?

But today, I'm game.  Here's today's prompt:

December 1 One Word.

Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?  (Author: Gwen Bell)

Only one word? Really? Because I can think of several.  Good. Bad. Ugly. Downer. Upper. Fat. Lazy. Bored. Pissed. Happy. Frustrated. Family. Spoons.  But there may be one word that epitomizes it all. 

Friends.

I'm very much a solitary person. I prefer to be alone most of the time. You probably wouldn't guess it from reading this blog, but I'm also very private. I have deep thoughts that, if I shared them with you, they'd literally scare the shit out of you. You'd go running for the hills.  Or you'd have me committed.  Either way, it wouldn't be good. 

But this year, I've developed real (not imaginary or based on t.v. characters) and lasting friendships.  There's Tim who makes me laugh the hardest.  Susie who keeps me grounded. Theresa who I can say anything to and know she isn't going to hold it against me...and will most likely agree with me.  Chris who makes me try new things. Sharon, my 60-something year old friend who I try to keep up with. Connie who feeds me chicken enchiladas.  Emily who I can reminisce with and create new family memories.  Noelle, who's on the same page as I am and it's usually the comic-section.  Ben who makes me giggle by his own laugh. 

Real.....and lasting.....Friends. 

What one word do I want to embody 2011?

Change. 

It seems too simple. And probably overused.  But I want 2011 to mean significant change.  Change in my atmosphere. Change in my attitude. Change in myself.  Change in my body (could you tone up that flab of fat, please?)  Change in my wardrobe...good Lord, I need new clothes.  I want to move, grow, learn-- anything!

Change...."in my pockets, going jing-a-lang-a-ling".