Best of 2009: Gift

[I'm participating in Gwen Bell's Best of 2009 Blog Challenge, in case you're all like, what's with the theme?]

Gift. What’s a gift you gave yourself this year that has kept on giving?

Life is more than our principles and theories; it’s the people around us. People are the gift that keeps on giving. People are the point.

Somehow I find myself surrounded now by people who will sit up from a dead sleep at 3 in the morning if I need them. Who humor me, embrace me, cheer me on, cheer me up and tell me to man the fuck up when it needs to be said. They pull no punches, and I never for a moment doubt that they love me. And so, I work at these relationships. I don’t always do a great job, but the goal is longevity. I keep at it, because these people mean everything to me.

It’s hard to explain how totally beyond my grasp this situation has seemed for most of my life. (Misfits will understand; the rest of you, just substitute, like, I don’t know, waking up a millionaire tomorrow morning. Crazy, right?) So yeah, this thing, this having people who get me and love me and are in it for the long haul — it’s pretty amazing. Gorgeous, even. Some of my online profiles say, simply, “Luckiest girl alive,” and it’s almost entirely due to these people.

So. Roger, Luke, Tanea, Kristen, Sara, Hector, Bob, Tammy, Dyana, Ava, Christia, Lupe, Emad, Kathy and the rest of the people who are not related by blood, but who chose to be anyway, who make my life so rich…I adore you, and intend to continue to make it worth your while.

xo,

Emma

Best of 2009: Learning experience

[I'm participating in Gwen Bell's Best of 2009 Blog Challenge, in case you're all like, what's with the theme?]

Learning experience. What was a lesson you learned this year that changed you?

From a year defined by its learning experiences, it’s tough to pick one. So here are the top three lessons I learned in 2009.

• There are a whole bunch of people out there to whom I make sense, and vice versa. Please believe me when I say I had not thought this possible. You people make my world a better place.
• It’s possible to have a no-harm, no-foul parting of ways. I love this one. Just because things don’t work out does not mean we have to be embarrassed about it. I didn’t know this. It’s great!
• Asking for what I want and need is not only permissible, it’s adviseable. Not to mention much easier than hoping people will read my mind. And nicer than being crushed when it, uh, doesn’t happen.

Here’s to simple, basic concepts. Like fellowship, mutual respect and honesty.

Best of 2009: Web tool

[I'm participating in Gwen Bell's Best of 2009 Blog Challenge, in case you're all like, what's with the theme?]

Web tool. It came into your work flow this year and now you couldn’t live without it. It has simplified or improved your online experience.

Hands down, it’s Freshbooks. Their tagline is accurate. They make billing painless! It’s a very intuitive tool, super-easy to use, and very reasonably priced. Bonus: their staff is unbelievably pleasant. Almost too good to be true, yes. But true all the same. J’adore Freshbooks and their awesome team.

Best of 2009: Startup

[I'm participating in Gwen Bell's Best of 2009 Blog Challenge, in case you're all like, what's with the theme?]

Startup. What’s a business that you found this year that you love? Who thought it up? What makes it special?

This shop. Gorgeous. Whimsical. So exactly my speed. Vintage frou-frou with a dash of industrial no-nonsense. Tiny birdcages? Octopus necklaces? Yes, please.

For those needing a little beauty

• Love Letter
• One Day Like This
• The Devil You Know
• More Than This
• Are You The One That I’ve Been Waiting For?

Listen on repeat if you like. I hope they give you that little bit of beauty you need right now.