Taking an idea from a friend's recently composed blog (Thank you, Patti), and a serious attempt to get back to writing the second chapter of my dissertation, naturally I decided to write a blog that captures my 2012. It was a year of ups and downs, but it was a year worth having a record of. Without further adieu: stuff that happened in 2012 that is worth mentioning:
January: After a grueling month of comprehensive exams in December, I took the month of January off. It was an amazing break. Molls and I also celebrated our one year anniversary with friends on News Years Eve. My advisor asked me to TA/co-teach a Feminism and Intersectionalty senior capstone course. This experience was amazing, especially the narrative performances at the end of the quarter. It helped me remember why performance is such a compelling thing.
February: I continued to take a break, but also began writing my dissertation proposal. It was something I began during my comprehensive exams, but required much more work. I was scheduled to perform in the Vagina Monologues, but an unfortunate incident prevented it. It was in this month, Feb. 10, when I was attending a burlesque show at Eden, that I received a call telling me that Molls had broken her neck. A dumb man, at a concert, crowd-surfed on her head and fractured a vertebrae in her cervical spine. I took off about a month and half to help with her recovery. In this time we returned to the hospital three times, went through countless doctor appts., and began her rehabilitation. I also learned that I passed my exams with distinction. I recieved a reward for Top Paper in Performance at the Western States Communication Association Conference, but was unable to procure it myself, and instead my friend, Cassidy retrieved it for me.
March: Molls's recovery was top priority. I worked on an ongoing project with my friend, Cassidy, for her dissertation. We worked with high-school-aged youth at at-risk high schools to teach them about privilege and oppression (there was so much irony in this.) The best part was that the students taught me more about my privilege by sharing their experiences, and we had a lot of good, open conversations with them about very hard things. At the end of the month, another friend of mine, Krishna, and I presented a workshop on femme identity at the Queer Youth Summit. It was well-attended, and a great experience. I also began teaching my favorite class at DU: Popular Culture and Communication. This class changed my orientation to teaching forever, and made me realize that it was indeed my "calling."
April was an excellent and busy month: I trained to become a Colorado Anti-Violence Program trainer. It was an intense and revelatory experience. I turned in my dissertation proposal, and then I passed my defense, making me ABD (All But Dissertation.) This didn't change a whole lot, except that it meant I was qualified to begin work on my dissertation. I also received the Rocky Mountain Communication GTA of the Year Award (a split victory with another GTA from CU Boulder.) I also received the Master of (Gr)Advocacy Graduate Teaching award from the DU Center of Multicultural Excellence's GLBT Gala.
May: I presented at the University of Denver Diversity Summit. I spoke about queer identities and the power of performance in educational settings. I also celebrated my niece's graduation from preschool into kindergarten. Lastly, I met the family I would nanny for the entire summer and into the school year. I also received word that I earned a Fourth-year Doctoral Fellowship to write my dissertation and that I would be teaching at Regis University in the fall.
June: Molls went back to work full time. It was a joy that she could go back to work, when for so long we didn't know what was going to happen. I celebrated my best friend, Dan's, graduation from PhD school. It was PRIDE weekend at some point, and that was fun. I began nannying for the best family ever. I found out the mother of the mother, of the family I nanny for, is a gay. This made the rest of my summer immensely easier, as I felt like I could work with children and not have to hide my partner. I also began research for a professor's book project on Blasphemy in the Muslim World. This was more hell than joy -- A means to a financial end.
July: July brought about Brandi Carlile at Redrocks (someplace I hadn't been since high school.) And I began to say goodbye to my best friend, Dan, who was leaving for a job in New Jersey. CAVP had their annual pancake breakfast where I was a volunteer. I also learned that I might have a job adjuncting at Metro for the fall.
August: For me, the commitment-phobe of life: Molls and I were officially Domestically Partnered in August. It was mainly so I could get health insurance, since I was leaving my employment at DU. But our friends, Rachel and Greta threw us the best impromptu celebration, complete with ice cream, glitter, and the Holy L Word. It was performance street art. Even though it may not have been radical, it was definitly subversive. Then I went to the Femme Conference in Baltimore, MD with Greta. We had a great time together, and the conference was an educational experience. I left feeling warmth, confusion, and generally good about continuing my dissertation project. After Baltimore, I flew straight to Dayton, OH to spend time with Molls's family. We spent time jetski-ing on the lake and going to the fair. I went to my first tractor-pull: it was so so loud! I was not expecting that! Molly was finally fully cleared to return to work and her case with worker's compensation concluded.
September: In September, it was hunker-down dissertation time. I began my interviews, 15 total. I thought I would have trouble getting 10, but eventually I got to a place where I had to turn people away. Interviewing took up most of my time.
October: October brought the Presidential Debate to DU. First of all, I was a runner for MSNBC because I really wanted to meet Rachel Maddow, but she didn't come to Denver: BOO! I did meet Cecile Richards from Planned Parenthood, and a couple of senators. It was a neat experience and I think if the whole PhD thing doesn't work out, I have a job opportunity running for television. More importantly, I was given the opportunity to be an usher at the actual Debate event, which meant I got to be on the floor for the Debate. It was a crazy experience. I was up from 4-midnight; I even had to board my dog. Seeing the Obamas in person was a magical experience. I wish the Prez would have been more on his A-game that evening, but it was a really neat experience, shared with great people. October also brought the leaving of Greta for Nebraska. We threw her one hell of a going away party, but admittedly, I was devastated to see her go. We cried and sung Glee songs on the way to drive her to her new car--something I will never forget.
November: Election time! I went door to door asking people to vote to re-elect Obama. Apparently it worked because he got a second term in office. Then I went to NCA in Orlando, which wasmy best experience at an NCA, yet. I had my first mini-job interview and I think for my first one it went pretty well. The best part: hanging out with my boys! Rich and Dan for most of the time, and Aaron, B, and Michael, too. I went to some great panels, and did a good research presentation of my own. I also got to speak about my advisor/mentor at a division business meeting, where she was elected as president for 2014. I was proud of what I did in Orlando and that I was able to relax and have a good time.
December: I turned in the introduction and first chapter of my dissertation. It was a really great feeling to just make movement on this gigantic project. With the help of my advisor I have been making steady progress. My birthday was earlier this month, and I was spoiled rotten. I received many gifts and I got to celebrate with friends, with family, and then with Molls at Root Down. Christmas has just passed and it feels so different than in years past, but still nice and relaxing for the most part. I am happy to spend time in the mountains with my family, and get in some much needed writing time.
I continue to apply for jobs and seek full-time/adjunct employment. The family I nanny for just had to give me up because the mother switched her schedule. While I am sad to leave the family, I am glad for the dissertating time. I will continue to write with my writing partner, Rob, with hopes we will be graduating in the Spring. I am thankful for my friends, family, and my partner. I am also thankful for my voice and ability to speak out and write for what is right and just, and continue to care deeply for people, for issues, for non-violence, and anti-violence, all while making time for yoga, running, and self-care (which includes A LOT of television watching!) I am thankful for my ability and continue sustaining this massive undertaking. My dissertation defense is April 26, so with that, I gotta get back to writing it! Happy New Year!
