Dear Amy at 26,
Or I guess me… now. We are six months into this year and things have been smooth for the most part. Things are a bit tight with money, but we are getting better at budgeting which is nice.
Our birthday… well we don’t like those and somehow one of our main friendships almost dwindles completely, but don’t dwell on it. People have different priorities and change is one of the many effects of life. This leads well into us becoming even better friends with Anett and Hanna, so not all is lost. You have friends – remember this, remember this, remember this. It is going to come up in our minds a fair bit, but we are not alone.
In January we hear about a new initiative in an all hands meeting where people will be hand-picked for a team to lead a re-imagining of certain areas in the department. It sounds interesting enough and right after the meeting we get pulled into our boss’ office and offered a spot. This is one of the reasons why we push ourselves like a loon – moments – like – this. Just keep doing this. Keep being you and working your buns… fingers… whatever. We get a desk upstairs, Steve the plant comes with us, and we meet a new group of people from various positions that are a great source and resource. There will be some rotation (change is inevitable), but all those who enter the room are lighthearted, easy to approach, and great to use for sounding boards. Never be afraid to talk to them.
Another opportunity approaches and we apply, we don’t get it but we also don’t lose it. Everything, even when it feels like the door has closed, is a chance for an opening. It will be a great time to learn and adapt as needed. You can do it. And now this feels like I am pumping myself up, but sometimes I need a bit of self-motivation – who doesn’t.
Outside of our day job, we have left Paper Droids to pursue this little neck of the woods and our novels. Safe to say that I think we’ve been doing well, but we could do better. This series of letters is a great step in the right direction because it is keeping us active. We’ve found a potential publishing opportunity for one of our books, and in April we are granted a media pass for our own site – this one! Something we haven’t had before – not just a news site, but us. Get excited!
As for the rest of the year… lots going on. Alex has a new job and is busy with his own company as well, which means time for us to focus on this and our own initiatives. Not that we don’t want to spend time with him, but it works out that we can both be busy at the same time, and then reconvene for tickles and talks right as he is falling asleep – we are a troll. This isn’t to say that he isn’t available for dates and other spending time, we just like to harass him because we love him (and he is especially funny when he is half asleep. He is always there for us, lean on him if you need. Right now he is messing with my hair… it is irritating. Stop it, Alex.
I hope that for the rest of the year we work towards a better self: getting used to compliments (or at least better at acknowledging them), look for and being open to more networking opportunities, and pursuing publications without too much over thinking about our novel. We are our own worst critic. Just do it. Shia wants us to.
Our next adventure with Anett is in planning – don’t over plan, but consider all options. OH! And there is a marathon or two or three that we signed up for. Train Train Train. It’s our 10 year anniversary next year; even if we don’t go, I know that we will want to feel accomplished. Don’t overestimate, do allow things to happen.
Did I mention that we got more Zillas from Dorkboy Comics? We did – they are awesome.
– A
A. N. Stetzl 