December 24th, 2011

Let's see how this year breaks down...

This was definitely a year that saw some great games be released. Dead Space 2 started the year strong and reminded me of why this franchise is superior to Resident Evil this generation. Mortal Kombat saw me buy a fighter for the first time since Dead or Alive 4 and is a shining example of how to reimagine a classic franchise. Gears of War 3 has the best writing in the franchise and fantastic multiplayer thanks to the addition of dedicated servers. Sonic Generations proved that Sega actually CAN listen to fans and get a Sonic game right. Batman: Arkham City built on the foundation of the excellent Batman: Arkham Asylum and deliver a cinematic action game with excellent writing and a story with several well-executed twists.

I continue to enjoy the graduate education I am receiving. My GPA currently sits at 3.625 with 24 credit hours completed. Only 42 hours to go, then comps and boards for the National Counselors Examination. This is definitely a time of self-growth and interpersonal enlightenment for me. More on that shortly.

I found a new interest this year in politics. I enjoy many a conversation with friends both Republican and Democrat. Now if only Congress would quit crying and playing the blame game long enough to actually accomplish something positive for this country...

This year also saw a significant loss for me in my grandma. She finally passed away at the age of 86. She survived her parents, eight out of her nine siblings, husband, and her son. Her funeral was beautiful- she had a white casket with roses etched in the corners and many flowers compliments of her extended family. Obviously most people don't enjoy attending funerals, but it was a beautiful ceremony and I guess it's about time I dealt with death given that I'm 27. I can be thankful that she is no longer in pain and is at peace.

Earlier I mentioned that I would return to my self-growth and interpersonal enlightenment. It comes from a woman I met early in the year. I saw a sweet, intelligent, and gorgeous person. Others saw a pathological liar as soon as I spoke of her. I loved her and was always there for her. She, however, was only attempting to manipulate me and others for her own financial gains regardless of emotional or psychological damages. Review of conversations between her and others (including myself) and consulting the DSM-IV-TR leads me to a diagnosis of Antisocial and Narcissistic Personality Disorders for her. I loved her unconditionally, which is all anyone can hope for. She claimed to love me, but was putting on a performance for superior to anything seen on primetime television in the past five years. On the negative side, she can masturbate with a cactus for what she does to others. On the positive side, being able to love someone allowed me to realize that I am capable of being the man I want to be in terms of intimate interpersonal relationships. I never greeted her with an angry word. I only went to bed angry with her once during the nine months we communicated. She allowed me to realized my potential as a gentleman. I have been seeking romantic redemption since my divorce in 2008 and I believe she was put in my life to allow me to be prepared for when I find redemption. Due to the interpersonally-demanding nature of my graduate work, I believe it possible that redemption waits for me at the end of the program.

Overall, not a bad year. Losing grandma hurts, but it's better that she's not in pain. It hurt to be played by someone I loved, but the growth I experienced during that short time was unparalleled. Bring it, 2012.

SDMF