But we don’t always get to choose when news is going to happen. It doesn’t matter if I don’t have time to blog. It doesn’t matter that last night, I was relaxing, catching the end of “America’s Next Great Restaurant” on my DVR and planning to go to bed early. Because around 10:30, my phone started blowing up from Twitter.

Obama was going to tell us that they’d killed Osama Bin Laden, my Twitter friends were saying. I quickly got off the DVR and turned it to live TV, and I was amazed once again at how valuable Twitter is during times like this.

Of course, the former newspaper designer/editor in me immediately wanted to be in the newsroom, tearing up my front page and starting over. This is when life was especially exciting in that world of deadlines and news alerts and “how fast can I change what I’ve been doing all night and make it look good and make it dramatic and make it impactful.” I don’t always miss the newspaper business. But for the rest of my life,  I will miss doing my little part to record history.

My perspective was different last night. Twitter reminded me of the news alerts that used to come across the wire at the newspaper. Social newspaper has really changed the way we get the news. Not only do we know what’s going on at every moment, but we already know what our friends think of it – before the press conference even interrupted “The Apprentice” (yes, it was super funny that that happened), I was already hearing cheers about Bin Laden’s death, and critics of the cheers about his death.  I was reading criticism of how can Obama take credit for this – when Obama had not even said a word. Tear up the Op-Ed page and throw it in the recycle bin – we already know the world’s opinion, and the news hasn’t even been announced yet. Jeff was reading Twitter, too, and he was repeating to me the humorous tweets – I can’t even pick a favorite, but I know this one by Will cracked me up:  “Looking for the phone number of that girl who said she’d go out with me when we caught Bin Laden.”

And then, there it was. Obama put it so well. And then it was personal – I got a text from Anil that simply said, “I just got chills.” I was at the newspaper on Sept.11, 2001, but he was in New York City. And he lost friends in the attacks.

The news was so dynamic. So bittersweet. A cause for celebration, yet, tears. History made. Justice served.

My time at the newspaper may be over, but the impact it had on me never will be. I write this during a time that former colleagues are plotting a reunion of those of us who worked at The Herald, and I was asked to blog about my time there. There’s no way to put years of memories and experiences and impacts into one post, and I have been thinking for days about how to put my history there into words.

And then news happened, as it always does, and this story was big. The Herald newsroom was moldy, dirty, fluorescent-lit. But it was our newsroom. And there will always be a part of me that will wish I was there when it’s time to rip up that front page and record some history.

So, when Anil and I were at World Market last week and we found some really cool canvas prints for sale, I told him he was not allowed to buy those but what we could do is make him prints with the same look but something custom.  

One of the prints said something like “Times Square, 42nd Street” on it. So I made him a print in the same vein that looks like this:

That was his address growing up. No one else will have that address on the wall, yet it gives such an urban feel that it works. He’s lucky he grew up on Long Island. I think if I made one that said “Fort Mill, South Carolina” I’m not sure it was have quite the same feel!

I also made him this one. If you’re a Mets fan, you get it:

The other print at World Market that he liked had a martini on it, and a recipe for a cosmo, among other drinking-related things. We discussed how cool that would look over his new bar (which we hadn’t even bought yet.) But of course, why have a recipe for cosmos when he doesn’t drink cosmos? Why not make it bar-related items that Anil himself actually enjoys? So, I made this for him (and let me say just for a moment how utterly stupid it was for me to take on that canvas amid everything else I was doing. You don’t know what a sigh of relief it was to get that done! It took hours every day of work for this one.)

So, there you have it! Custom art. The prints will be mounted on 1.5-inch canvas stretchers (which we will do ourselves to save money, gulp) and I plan to take a little paint and play with the address one (we just ordered Deer Park; will order Citi Field later – again, to save a little money) and try to create some brush strokes with it.

So, there you have it! Art, custom-style.

In fact, my first plan after graduation was to move to Orlando. Colleen and I had it all planned out; we would go there together and be roommates. I would get a job at what Jeff called “The Orlando Slantinal” and she would get a hotel job and it would be so much fun. I’d lived in the Carolinas my entire life and I was ready to get the heck outta Dodge for a while.

But a couple of months before graduation, Jeff decided to move to Charlotte instead. It made more sense – Charlotte is a much better place for his industry (computer geekiness) and he was able to triple (quadruple?) his salary by making the move.

Looking back on that decision, I’m both happy and sad it happened that way. My family is in the area, and I love having them close by. Charlotte keeps getting better and better by the day, and of course, many of my friends are still there. I love the seasons in the Carolinas – and I’m learning that I really prefer cold weather to hot.

But when I’m in Florida, I feel like I’m touching on what could have been a different life for us. Yes, it’s hot all the time. Even in December when it’s not hot, it’s still hot. And yes, my friends and family are far away. But part of Jeff’s family is here (my in-laws are the coolest in-laws on the planet), and his old friends are here. And if Colleen had come with me she would be here. My little sister in my sorority lives here.

Florida is the adventure I didn’t get to have.

Do I still want us to live here? Not really. Like I said, I am learning I’m not so much a hot-weather person. And it would cost too much in the investment in sunscreen alone for my pasty skin.

But I still crave the adventure. New York City? Rome? Even just Uptown Charlotte? Somewhere. I want us to go somewhere.

Last year I wrote about some thoughts on 2008, and as I wrote them down I found myself wondering how in the world I could top 2008. I mean, I had run a 10K, hiked a mountain, and written a book …

So, without further adieu and without elaborating incessantly, I look back at 2009:

On exercise: Ran my first half marathon and my first marathon. Got a bike and rode in the last half of the year (though not enough; I was too busy training for marathon). Total workout distance for 2009: 1,368.35 miles (mostly running, followed by a little biking, a little walking, a little hiking). I think I would have saved somewhere in the neighborhood of $665 in gas money, had I been commuting by bike or foot to something. And sometimes, I was. Although I still hope against hopes that the Charlotte area will get better and better for cyclists and runners (We need sidewalks! We need bike lanes!). Did great the first half of the year for strength training but didn’t do nearly enough after the running bug took over.

On writing: I fell down on the poetryassignment front. Thankfully Heather is just as passionate about writing as I am, if not more so, and she was wonderful about keeping the art alive. I did write another book this year! I enjoyed it so much in 2008 that I couldn’t not participate in 2009. I did not take the same pre-planning time, so it was a completely different approach from the year before, but  it got done and it’s possible it’s a teeny bit better than last year’s. Yes, I am still editing both books, and no, you can’t read them until I think they are good enough to read!

On babies: The great part about not wanting my own children is I can absolutely spoil the nieces and nephews. Of course, I continued to hang out with my brother’s daughters, spending part of a week with them in October so he could take his wife to Mexico for a pre-anniversary trip (Thunder Road Marathon, which he ran as well, was on his anniversary weekend, so he better have done something good!) And my sister and her husband had their beautiful son, Cai, on July 31 – and I was there! And my brother-in-law, Gray and his wife Katie announced their good news – they are expecting! I suspect that June of 2010 will be very exciting …

On traveling: After not one, but two fabulous trips to NYC in 2008, I am sad to report I did not get to go at all in 2009 – a first not visiting my favorite city in a long time. I did get to go to Florida and Washington DC to visit both sets of in-laws, and another trip to Florida to see my brother-in-law, Casey, get married. Went to Dallas to move my parents back to Charlotte. Spent Thanksgiving with family in the Outer Banks and also had some fun weeks/weekends in Athens, Brevard, Greenville, Asheville, Greensboro. Not enough traveling for my liking but I’ll just call it “taking it easy” this year …

On graphic design: In 2009, I continued to create lots of fun memories for clients and loved ones, including magazines and book covers and advertisements and fliers. I love the work and often my biggest complaint is there’s not enough time in the world to create all the things my brain wants to create. Among other treasured projects, I got to design a wedding book for a bride who happens to be a very treasured childhood friend, Jenny. Being so front and center at her wedding was an amazing experience.

On home: My dogs are inside dogs now, which makes me so very happy. Decorating the house has taken a back seat to other financial priorities, such as running and camping gear, so that explains why my bedroom looks like this. I don’t mind, though, it’s all about priorities …

Thoughts on 2010:

On exercise: More, more, more! Have already elaborated on the running, biking, swimming front here. Also preparing for a Mount Mitchell trip next weekend. Recently purchased a ton of new gear which prompts me to think: More Hiking! Definitely.

On writing: Definitely putting a priority on two Very Important Things in 2010:  Priority 1. My grandmother’s memoirs. We have been working on them but it has not been as important as it should be. That changes right now. Priority 2: Editing my books. I’m dying for you guys to read them! But I refuse to let you until they are perfect. After that, I pledge to pay at least a little bit more attention to poetryassignment – creativity is a gift. You don’t use it, you lose it.

On traveling: As much as possible! Trips to Asheville, DC, Greenville,Wilmington, Charleston and Florida already in the works for the first 3 months of the year (gulp, as I read that last sentence). Would also like more time in Athens, New York City (of course!) and anywhere else that money and time can take me …

On babies: Absolutely cannot wait for June and the newest baby’s arrival. Will try to make even more time for the children this year – I love every moment with them.

On graphic design: Continue doing what I love. Finally get the portfolio done for my business web site. Create, create, create.

On home: I love my home just as it is, even without bedroom furniture. Of course, some would be nice, but only after all the hiking/running/traveling/fun is paid for!

On life: My grandmother has a quote hanging in her house: 

The purpose of life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave with a well-preserved body, but rather to slide in sideways, completely used up, yelling and screaming, what a ride! — Author Unknown

Hell yeah.

I wrote this a little more than a year ago. Here’s what the list was then, and how it’s going (items in green are in-progress or done!):

1. Write a novel.

How it’s going: I have written the first draft of a novel. And I am working on the first draft of a second novel. Not too shabby, but I have a long way to go! I’ll add my new goal is to make my novel reader-ready!

2. Live in New York City.

How it’s going: I didn’t even make it to NYC in 2009, a fact I’m very bummed about. I still plan to do this at some point though. This is a long-term goal!

3. Travel to all of the continents (this is Jeff’s idea actually, but I am on board!)

How it’s going: It’s not. But it’s still on the docket! I have been to two of them!

4. Become a successfully published writer of both fiction and poetry (how does one define success on these things?)

How it’s going: Well, if you count #1 as progress then this is making some sort of headway!

5. Win a non-newspaper related design award (have 4 newspaper-related ones)

How it’s going: I guess you have to enter to win, huh? I need to get on this.

6. Get another college degree (photography, graphic design, or writing. Or all 3!)

How it’s going: Still want to do this. But if I’m being honest, I want to do this less than I did a year ago. Need to get my creativity back on the front burner!

7. Run a half-marathon (lemme do this first, then we’ll talk about a full one)

How it’s going: I cannot believe it was me that wrote this! A year ago I couldn’t even imagine something longer than a 10K. Then Kevin started running. And he is very ambitious. And when he asked me earlier this year if I wanted to run a marathon, I laughed. Then I said, “Really?” Then I said, “Ok!” So I have Kevin to thank for me knocking this one out of the park! I ran my first half-marathon a few weeks ago in preparation for the full one I’m running in a few weeks! Take that, bucket list!

8. Go for an extended hiking trip (Appalachian Trail, perhaps?)

How it’s going: Ok, I really really really want to do this still.

9. Live in another country for at least a short time.

How it’s going: This one I was thinking of as a retirement-age goal, so we’ll talk about it in 30 years or so!

10. Take up cycling, both for exercise and transportation.

How it’s going: Done! I’m still shaky on the bike, but I rode my new road bike last weekend to meet Colleen for breakfast, and I have ridden a borrowed mountain bike to meet Amy for coffee, and I have ridden them both for exercise.

————

General thoughts: I’m proud of the progress made regarding the fitness and the writing, not so much the traveling. It’s been a little tight money-wise, so I think that makes sense.  Reading this list again, the item I get most excited about (other than the ones that are already in progress!) is #8, an extended hiking trip. Even if I have to plan it for a few years from now, it’s time to start thinking about it! Who wants to take 3 months to hike the Appalachian Trail?

In 2001, I was a page designer at a newspaper in Rock Hill, South Carolina – and work was the best place for me that day. The worst tragedy of my lifetime was to appear on the pages of my newspaper, and I became a small part of history in my corner of the world as I told the story the best way I knew how – with layouts and headlines and photos. I can never explain to someone who hasn’t held this job the amount of feeling we have for the people in our stories on the pages we design. And this story was like no other.

Today I sit at home, thinking about September 11 and thinking about New York City – which I visited for the first time in 2002. I never got to see the towers. I have only seen the emptiness.

Four places I go over and over again:

Peak Fitness
Starbucks
Harris Teeter
Borders

Four people who mail me regularly:

Chris
Michael
Amy
Colleen

Four of my favorite places to eat, (apart from home)

The Melting Pot
Harpers
Sir Edmund Halley’s
Jade

Four places I’d rather be now:

At a day spa getting pampered
New York City
Shopping
Susan’s couch having a coffee/workout day

Four favorite TV shows:

Grey’s Anatomy
The Office
How I Met Your Mother
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Four movies I could watch over and over again:

The Good Girl
Almost Famous
Mama Mia!
Elf

Seems only right to tag four people:

Elwood J. Blues
Heather
Phil
Bennett

1. Write a novel.
2. Live in New York City.
3. Travel to all of the continents (this is Jeff’s idea actually, but I am on board!)
4. Become a successfully published writer of both fiction and poetry (how does one define success on these things?)
5. Win a non-newspaper related design award (have 4 newspaper-related ones)
6. Get another college degree (photography, graphic design, or writing. Or all 3!)
7. Run a half-marathon (lemme do this first, then we’ll talk about a full one)
8. Go for an extended hiking trip (Appalachian Trail, perhaps?)
9. Live in another country for at least a short time.
10. Take up cycling, both for exercise and transportation.

Now Amy’s been to the Big Apple before. However, here are 10 tips, from one Carolina girl to another (or for any girl traveling to NYC, for that matter!):

1. Don’t fill your suitcase all the way when packing. Leave as much room as you possibly can. Will explain in number 5.

2. Do pack in layers. You will spend a lot of time in the elements. On Friday, in September, it was chilly. I wore a sweater during part of the day. Will be more so in October. However, it’s hotter than you can even imagine in the subway. Be ready to peel off those clothes!

3. Fly into JFK or LaGuardia if you can. Then you can take the airbus or an MTA bus to the subway, and you’re at least in the city already. Newark is kind of a pain.

The C train headed downtown on Friday.

4. Download a subway map to your iPhone. That way, when you’re double and triple checking your map, you look like you’re doing something important on your phone rather than being a silly lost tourist.

5. Shop, shop, shop. H&M is a hidden treasure for us. My NYC girl, Erin, complains that everyone there shops at H&M; therefore, if you shop there and live there, you will see people everywhere wearing your clothes. She’s right, too. I spent one afternoon at H&M this week, and that night I was able to point out no less than 5 outfits I’d seen in the store that day. I was wearing clothes I’d just bought, so I felt like I had a neon sign pointing at me saying “I shop cheap!” Since there’s no H&M in the greater Charlotte area, no one here will know you got that top for $5 or those pants for $15. All that said, my true favorite affordable store is Zara. For discount designer stores, check out Century 21 and Filene’s Basement. Plan time for these though – you may have to do some digging.

Little Italy on Friday around lunchtime.

6. Do find time for a meal in Little Italy. It’s the closest thing to Italy I’ve seen in the States. Sadly, every time I visit it is smaller and smaller – slowly being taken over by Chinatown. As I typed this  on Friday I was dining at Giovanna’s on Hester and Mulberry. The food there is OK, but I’d suggest try another one. Just wander around until something catches your eye.

7. See a show if you can find the time around your photo shoot. I would love to recommend my favorite, “Rent,” but they closed their curtain last week.

8. Spend some time in the Village and SoHo. It’s my very favorite part of town. The shops, the restaurants, the atmosphere.

9. Avoid Times Square like the plague. It’s way too touristy.

10. Be the hot blogger I know you are … I can’t wait to see the photos! Congratulations!

A husband and wife get on, and the wife is afraid of flying. The plane is tiny, and this doesn’t sit well with her. “I can’t believe you’re making me do this,” the wife says. I am feeling cranky and want to say “No one’s making you do anything.” Jeff, seated 4 rows behind me, unknowingly makes up for my mean mental comment by swapping seats so they could sit together since she is scared.

The flight attendant threatens a $10,000 fine on someone who has their headphones in after she told us to turn them off. Clearly, she is crankier than me.

A couple in the row ahead of me has decided it’s very important to drink. So important, in fact, that they ask everyone on the plane for change for $100 bill when the flight attendant won’t break it.

Several drinks later, the couple disappears and no one thinks anything of it until cranky flight attendant comes to collect trash and no one is in their row. She looks around and then asks me “Did they go to the bathroom together?” I shrug my shoulders then start laughing. Guy next to me starts laughing too.

“Should we clap for them when they come back?” I ask him.
“”Don’t you dare,” he laughs.

They return, one at a time, trying to hide their smiles. I resist the urge to tap the guy on the shoulder and say “You guys totally just got busted!” (Flight DL6249 from JFK to CLT, in case the happy couple is reading this.)

Jeff and I left our hotel in Brooklyn for the airport 11 hours ago. We’re still 20 minutes from home (just leaving CLT airport.) We could have driven home and gotten back earlier than this …