2014 Was My Setups Year

The ultimate cinematic example of setups and payoffs

If one of the marks of a truly great movie is a satisfying series of setups and payoffs, then might the same be said of a truly great life? Can we just say yes, so that the rest of this post makes sense? Thanks. As always, you're the best.

2014 has been my year of great setups. Not much actually happened this year, but a whole hell of a lot got put into motion and I feel like I can accurately predict the payoffs that will take place in 2015. And without further ado, here they are:

1. THE SETUP: I joined a writers' group. Co-founded it, actually, along with two other brave and artistically talented persons, and now we have five members altogether. This is the setup I'm most proud of, because of what I predict will be...

THE PAYOFF: A very productive writing year. A writers' group is so important, for more reasons than I have time for here, but the foremost reason being accountability. You have to look other writers in the face, writers you respect and admire, on a regular basis and justify yourself to them. They're going to expect some things, but mostly that you actually write. On a regular basis. To completion. My payoff will be just that.

2. THE SETUP: I changed the look of my blog.

THE PAYOFF: A renewed commitment, leading to more regular blogging. How you miss me when I'm away. It's for you, really, my faithful readers (mom).

3. THE SETUP: I bought quite a lot of workout clothes in 2014. I mean, good stuff too, not like the sale section at Target but like, full price douchey Lululemon stuff.

THE PAYOFF: I have to wear this stuff; it's like sweat-wicking gold! And I don't mean to the grocery store or "running errands," because exercise clothes as casual attire is NOT okay! Put on a damn pair of jeans and an ironic t-shirt if you're that lazy. Geez. But seriously, I need to workout more.

4. THE SETUP: I changed jobs. Still at the same hospital, but I figured "hey, why keep doing this easy chemo/seizure patients thing when I could roll with the big boys down in super scary and difficult ICU, am I right, play-az?" So I transferred to ICU. Obvi.

THE PAYOFF: Um...I don't really know. I guess my thinking was that this would be a step up? Financially speaking, it was a lateral move, but the ICU is pretty much the top of the nursing acuity spectrum, so once I finally get the hang of this thing, I might actually find myself enjoying it. Be a better nurse, maybe?

Speaking of nursing...

5. THE SETUP: Enrolled in my final nursing courses for my BSN.

THE PAYOFF: Be done with school and have more time to write, damn it!! Ugh, I hate school. I just hate it so much. I've almost never hated anything more than school and I've really hated a lot of things in my day, so yeah. Hate it. Let's finish that shit.

6. THE SETUP: Organized my Google Drive. I'm talking folders, file names that give a damn, appropriately numbering the bazillion different drafts and outlines that exist for the same project, opening folders for future projects. The works.

THE PAYOFF: If the concept of organization is "a place for everything and everything in its place," then by creating a place for something I'm basically guaranteeing that there will be something to place in it. Right?

7. THE SETUP: I found Evernote, YNAB and most importantly, Feedly. Oh Feedly, how I love thee. This is actually a huge deal that has already paid off in some big ways. YNAB has helped me micromanage my money (something that brings me almost more pleasure than ice cream), and Evernote is organizing my every thought and impulse into virtual notebooks (with pictures)! Feedly has lead me to better writing advice, understanding my skin type and going back to brunette (I mostly follow fashion blogs which, I make no apologies, is incredibly satisfying to me). I know how to do my eyebrows, you guys; I didn't even know you were supposed to do your eyebrows. The world is my oyster with these eyebrows!

THE PAYOFF: There's this great "take charge" kind of attitude that washes over you when you feel like you've got most of your shit together, and I'm talking financially, artistically and aesthetically. Looking good, feeling good, writing good - ahem - are all connected for me and I plan on taking these tools with me into the new year and using them to totally get a hold of myself.

8. THE SETUP: I researched a lot about how to Podcast.

THE PAYOFF: ?

Sorry, I just want one imaginary moment in time where I feel like I'm dropping a Beyonce-sized hint that will cause complete pandemonium and excitement.

And it's over. Thank you.

So, to sum up, 2015 looks to be promising the following things:

1. I'll be writing more

2. I'll be blogging more

3. I'll get in shape

4. I'll be a better nurse (boring)

5. I'll finish my degree (ugh, super boring - someone make it stop!)

6. I'll be generating writing ideas, treatments and outlines like a crazy person

7. I'll be in complete control of my life (yaaaaaaas, more control, everything exactly how I want it, perfect perfection, hehehe...)

8. I'll pretend to want to make a podcast but ultimately decide that no one is asking for that

There, now I've successfully disguised my resolutions in the form of a clever retrospective. Done. Now let's never speak of this again.