Oddly enough, one of the greatest accomplishments I had this year, was also one of my greatest failures.

During my life, I have NEVER not gotten a job I have interviewed for. I have ALWAYS been offered the job. (Not always accepted, but that's MY choice, not theirs.)

This year I was laid off from a ridiculously good-paying job for a top name company, figured I'd be out of work for a week or two - maybe a month - and then back at it.

Nope. 9 months of unemployment followed. Had to go on the dole (UI here in WA state). Failed to get countless jobs I was exquisitely skilled for.

When you are my age, there are not a lot of "firsts" any more. Especially when you have lived a life like mine. So the first time NOT getting a job was ... shocking. Jarring. Kind of world-shattering.

But it also helped me, by giving me a new experience. A new thing to overcome. So I mark this as a positive experience, overall.

This year I also completely divested myself from all things Burning Man, for the first time in more than a decade. No volunteering. No events. No staff position. Nothing. (Turning my skills and interests in a more local direction from now on. Kinda done with TTITD.)

So that's my year.