2018 In Review

I don’t know how it is for you, but the last few days of the year always feel slow and sticky for me. I don’t want to do anything too important: I want to watch stand-up comedy and interviews, spend hours talking on the phone, and get my nails done. So that’s what I’ve been doing! Hooray!

In one of my recent podcasts, I talked about the importance of having your own website, because social media is unreliable at best. A WEEK later, Instagram rolled out a hideous new update that forced users to tap instead of scrolling through. The internet exploded. Thankfully, IG got the hint and changed it back… But it adds further gravity to my message that you need your own online space because it can all change without a moment’s notice.

Anyway, my point — rambling though it may be — is that if we want to see a return to personal websites, we have to lead the way. Be the internet you want to see!

With that in mind, here’s a recap of my year, LiveJournal style! (I literally stole this survey from a random LJ account, then deleted/modified some questions.) What fun…

 

What did you do in 2018 that you’d never done before?
Nude photoshoots (would recommend)! Signed an American lease by myself (the last one I signed with my now ex-husband, can you believe it?!). Danced naked on a stage. Left New York for good and moved across the country to Los Angeles! Opened my NY apartment to the public and sold my stuff! Saw Tony Robbins and Abraham-Hicks. Lots of other things, I’m sure, that I am blanking on…

Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
The biggest thing I wanted to do was write another book… And I did it! I have a handful of delicious goals for 2019 which I am excited about, but mostly my new year’s resolution, today and forever, is to FEEL GOOD.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope!

Did anyone close to you die?
No. But a lot of my favorite people seriously struggled with their mental health this year. Thankfully, they reached out, asked for help, got treatment, went to 12 Step meetings, and did whatever was necessary to prioritize their health. I am so fucking grateful.

What countries did you visit?
Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy. And in the US, I visited Vegas twice, shuttled back and forth between LA and NY many times, went to Palm Springs a few times, stayed in Salem, and… I’m sure some other places?

What would you like to have in 2019 that you lacked in 2018?
Oh it’s a secret! But don’t worry, as soon as it happens, I will let you know!

Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a couple of colds but nothing too wild. The coolest thing I did for my health was start to see a cranial osteopath, and he showed me how uneven my face was (!!!) and every time I go to see him, he manipulates the bones in my face and it is literally changing in front of my eyes. WHAT. It’s so crazy!

What was the best thing you bought?
I haven’t bought anything too remarkable this year, but I have really enjoyed shopping for furniture for my new house. I wanted to take my time and only buy stuff I loved, rather than being in a rush to fill a gap. As a result, I love everything in here. SUCCESS.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Moving! OMG. Moving to LA has been so wonderful. Dave has asked me a million times if I’m glad I moved and the answer is always YES! I’m obsessed with LA. I should have done it 10 years ago, but then, I wouldn’t have had the experiences I needed to have. Everything is always happening in perfect timing. But I really do LA.

What song will always remind you of 2018?
Everything on my 2018: Rainbow Life playlist.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. Happier or sadder?
WAY happier! Praise beeeeee.

ii. Thinner or fatter?
Fatter for sure! Hahaha.

iii. Richer or poorer?
Richer! Phew.

What do you wish you’d done more of?
I always wish I had had more adventures! Adventures are the spice of life. It’s not like I was chained to my desk all year (not by any stretch of the imagination), but I am endlessly hungry for new experiences! I am going to have plenty of them in 2019. I’m excited about it.

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Less grasping and less obsessing. The good news is that I am getting much better at letting things go!

How will you be spending Christmas?
Christmas has since passed! But I spent it with my best friend, Shauna, in Palm Springs. We laughed a lot, visited hotels, took photobooth pictures, ate enormous meals, got really dressed up, and went shopping. What’s better than that?

What was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you in 2018?
I put up with unbelievably bad behavior for way too long. I have to own that, because personal responsibility… And I’m not going to get into it, because I don’t air my grievances on the internet. Just TRUST when I say that I am immeasurably happier than I was this time last year.

Did you fall in love in 2018?
Yes!

How many one-night stands?
Not many 😉

What was your favorite TV program?
I’m not sure, but I watched a LOT of stand-up this year. I have always loved it, but I am getting more into it every day. It’s a really crazy world and I think comedians are the most accurate cultural commentators! I often find myself agreeing with their take. Since I got to LA I’ve been seeing a lot of live comedy and discovering new comics all the time. It’s so so so so GOOD!

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don’t hate anyone, but I have certainly cut some people out of my life.

What was the best book you read?
Recovery by Russell Brand! I recommend it to everyone. It’s really brilliant. (I met him this summer too, and I was really impressed.)

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 35 (W-O-W) and I spent it cleaning out my apartment with Shauna! That night we dressed up in matching catsuits and threw a party on the Public rooftop. Later that weekend, we opened the doors to my apartment and sold about 80% of my earthly possessions. It was so much fun!

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2018?
More over-the-top than ever. Hahah. I wrote a very detailed report about it — 2018 Style Direction: Fetish Femme — back in January, and I have stayed pretty true to it all year long!

What kept you sane?
My friends. Long ass phone calls and FaceTimes. Laughing a lot!

What political issue stirred you the most?
God. What political issue did NOT stir me in 2018? It has been a non-stop rollercoaster of bullshit! The most challenging thing for me has been stepping away from the chaotic news cycle and recognizing that there is no value in burning out your adrenals because you think you need to know everything. It has also made me realize that pitting groups against other groups is always a losing game. We need to come together, and remember that no one is perfect. Collaboration, empathy and understanding are in short supply. We need it more than ever.

Who was the best new person you met?
Dave! Natalia! Aurora! And my existing friendships deepened SO much. It has been such an incredible year of friendship for me, I am endlessly grateful.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2018:
Oh my. There are many. Stay tuned for a post on that!

Okay, so remember when I said we need to create the internet we want to see? Feel free to copy/paste this survey and fill it out on your site! I’d love to read about your year!

Love always,