I usually write this closer to the end of the day, and while I don't have any big NYE plans, I don't intend to spend it on this computer. So, here we are. Another year has passed. Time to reflect on the past year and time to prepare for the next. While 2011 wasn't terrible for me, I'm still glad to see it go. Wasn't necessarily the best year. However I am grateful that I was able to see it.

So, time to make some promises. Good ol, resolutions. Last year I decided not to make any if I remember correctly. And I held true to that. I figured I'd just go ahead and do whatever I wanted and if I didn't do something, then no big deal. Well, what ended up happening is I pretty much did nothing really. Or at least I felt like I did nothing. I have nothing really significant to say I accomplished last year. (Though I did visit LA and that was one of my things to do). But all in all, 2011 was pretty stagnant for me. So maybe that no resolution thing wasn't the best idea.

So this year I will probably make some resolutions. Exactly what they'll be are to be determined. Not quite sure honestly. So how about this: In 2012 I resolve to do something! I think that'll work. And, I plan to honor as many superstitions traditions as I possibly can. So that means New Years Day I will not be paying any bills, nothing will leave this house before something comes in (including trash), I need a tall, dark and handsome man to be the first one through the threshold, and he should be bearing a gift and I think he's supposed to kiss the person who lives there.....something to that effect....not sure, it's never happened so...yea.... (The likelyhood of that last one happening is slim to none but the Young One is in town so perhaps...). I'll make as much noise as one person can possibly make at the strike of 12 to scare the devil out and open the doors to let the old year go and allow the new year to come in. And I'll finish it off with the traditional southern New Years Day dinner for luck, wealth and prosperity. (Or is it health? *shrugs*). Either way I'm going to bring myself and this house as much luck as possible!

And you know they say whatever you spend New Year's Eve doing is how you'll spend the rest of the year. So all you people with drama, you better let it chill for one day. Enjoy yourself or you'll be dealing with drama all year.

I plan to bring in the new year doing what I hope to spend the next year doing. That includes writing (check), spending time with family (sister's here so check), enjoying friends (some should be over later unless plans change so check), and doing things I like to do (shopping, making jewelry, being creative...which will be a check by the time this post is published). So I think I'm off to a good start.

So while I may not have solid plans for next year I have some plans for today. Time for me to get up and get it moving. To everyone who made it to today, I'm happy that you're here. Let's be thankful we had a chance to know the ones who were not able to make it with us. I wish all of you all the success and happiness the next year can bring.

And if the 2012 predictions end up coming true, it's been one great ride! Peace and blessings to you all. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I can't believe that 6 years ago to this day, I started Confessions of a Disillusioned Black Girl. That's right. Saturday September 24, 2005 was the first ever post and man....how things change. Looking back through my archives I've talked about so many things. Some more random than the next.

When I started this blog it was just going to be a way for me to start putting some of my writing out there. I always had this dream of publishing a book of poems and the title of this blog is actually supposed to be the name of that book. But, being the reclusive artist that I am, it was very hard for me to share what I had written (still is to this day). Other than a few close friends and family members, no one even knew that I wrote. So I figured that if I started a blog and shared a few here, it would get me over my anxiety. I wrote a very simple poem, hit publish post and there it was. I was 'out there'.

I only published a few more poems, until the urge seemingly died. I think I had honestly forgotten all about this blog. If you notice on my archives there is not 1 single post in 2006. Then, after a random reunion with my old friend Tony Stark, he actually encouraged me to start blogging again. He had started The Stark Files and suggested that I start writing again. And with that, in 2007, phase II began. I wrote a lot. (Mostly because I think I was competing with Mr. Stark to be the one who wrote the most on their blog). I was writing about everything. Videos I loved, articles I read, football information for women, my thoughts on world events and my own personal grievances with everyday irritations. This is also when the Random Thoughts and ideas for Acting Right originated.

But I had not quite found my...as Professor Locs would say...voice yet. And once again, I started finding less and less to write about. After a while, I started to write about the topics my friends and I discussed and debated over. I wrote about being friends post break up, the roles people often play in relationships and my irritation with childish behavior as adults. But the real jump off point had to be when I shared my thoughts on the other woman. And the rest, as they say, was history.

I have learned a lot over the years. Took a few blogging seminars and some great lessons from a master blogger herself Alease M. at the School of Creative Business. I'm slowly getting over my hesitation to 'put myself out there' and have already begun implementing some of the lessons I've learned from Alease. This blog has grown so much with what I've done so far that I'm excited to see how far I can take it.

So what does the next 6 years hold for this Disillusioned Black Girl? Big things, my friends (with fingers crossed). So keep reading! I thank all those who have supported and encouraged me. Thank you to all those who follow and share me. A special thank you to those who inspire me to keep writing.