Following in the keystrokes of my fellow K-girl, I would like to take this final 2008 blogging opportunity to relive some of my most memorable events from this past year. I can’t say that I will do them in any sort of chronological order… if I can even recall when they exactly happened at all, unless I can find some post-it note with that information on it somewhere on my desk. Needless to say I should probably bump up that ginkgo biloba dosage, if I could remember to take them.

There have been many an opportunity to break out old dance costumes this year, notably my get-up at this years ADDY Awards. It won me the “Best Expression” award that now sits next to my “Amazing Author” award I won my senior year in yearbook—two very prestigious acknowledgments of my many talents. Speaking of the ADDY Awards, some of the AAFJAX crew and I supported our district and national ADDY awards in Tampa and Atlanta, respectively. There is really never a dull moment at functions that involve all the wacky creative people that make up the advertising world. We know we are all relatively insane and honestly wouldn’t like it any other way.

I moved for what will hopefully be the last time for quite a while. Following about six moves in under two years, I’m proud to say I’ve lasted a good seven months at my current residence and am very pleased. Riverside is the best side. I’m still however getting used to the man who walks his cat, the Knights of the Round Table meetings in Riverside Park on Sundays, my neighbor downstairs who never learned how to shut a door quietly and the fact that there is half a GIANT boat chilling in my backyard. Home sweet home.

I had many Hollywood moments this year. The Emmy-award winning HBO film Recount that was filmed in Jacksonville and features yours truly for literally two second premiered right here at the theatre. I got to see my “crying tears of joy” scene on the big screen. Kendall and I entertained an MTV digital marketing executive prior to one of our Advertising Federation luncheons. We learned a lot from this guy as well as participated in the most interesting “Pepsi Challenge” I’ve been a part of.

Kendall’s and the Florida Theatre’s 25ths were two righteous parties. My new obsession with the Twilight books was momentarily quenched with the release of the first movie. There were several unforgettable trips to Tallahassee with my best friends, which taught all of us our strengths as dart players, our weaknesses at Buddy Boys and the overall notion that it’s not always kosher to play Jason Mraz at a bar filled with mostly guys.

And most excitingly, I have had many people come into my life this year that have greatly enriched the months within it, being someone from the past who has resurfaced or someone entirely new.

I know I’m missing so many things, but I would have to say that what sticks out most about this year is the music. It helps working where I work, but I’ve seen some of the most incredible concerts this year. Dave Matthews Band in West Palm, OAR in St. Auggie, Coldplay in Orlando, Stephen Marley at Freebird and finally Corey Smith, the Wailers, Wilco, my beloved Jason Mraz and so many more right here at home. Lucky girl, you say? Darn straight.

So in conclusion, 2008 has brought me new friends and old furniture, big laughs and a small savings account, a Honda that wishes it was a golf ball, a mystery foot injury, one hell of a game of July 4th Ring of Fire, a foot of hair gone, a few new cousins gained and about a thousand things in between. With the ups come the downs as is only appropriate to balance out this universe, but this life is never dull. This year was never dull. And hopefully the next will follow suit. Cheers ’09…can’t wait to meet you.

From the whole family at the Florida Theatre, we wish you all a safe and prosperous New Year!

 

kat.berry.