I distinctly recall sitting at this computer a year ago, and writing in my personal blog about how 2009 could go die in a fire. I'd lost a job, lost my roommate, lost a friend, lost a boyfriend, and gained a Zoloft prescription and twenty pounds. I was kind of surprised I was still standing, let alone going to my part-time coffee-slinging job and pulling down an excuse for a paycheck.
Then, 2010 came along, and I must say that things improved considerably. I got into the groove of slinging coffee and even came to like it after a while. I found new roommates, mended things with my friend, had a normal-person relationship, and eventually quit the antidepressants and started Weight Watchers. I rescued a dog, Sir Buster, Third Baron von Munchausen, and he continues to snort his way into my heart on a daily basis. And in September, I walked off the end of a particularly high diving board by quitting the coffee job and starting up Cleaning Bird as an official, tax-paying, full-time business. It was one of the biggest leaps I've ever taken in my life, right up there with being the first in my family to get a bachelor's degree, and just like that leap, this one has been an immensely fun ride. Yeah, there have been taxes, and clients who really needed some therapy, and one time the skin on my hands got exfoliated from an experimental cleaning procedure - tell you about that one later - but even the bad experiences ended up being things I could learn from, and even better, things I could bring to this blog and share with you guys, my faithful readers. It's not a large corner of the Blogosphere, this space I inhabit (not yet, anyway), but it is mine, and I think I'm almost as proud of my web presence as I am of my in-person business. Writing this blog has helped me find humor in the most frustrating of situations, it's let me vent my professional ire in a constructive way, and most importantly, it's let me do what I really want to do with my life: write for an appreciative audience. I didn't get that English degree solely for the Freedom of Pretention clause on the back of the diploma. I want to write for people, and I want to be known as a writer. This has been a small step toward that goal, but an important one nonetheless.
There's nothing that makes me happier than being approached by a friend at some social function and hearing them say, 'ZOMG your blog post the other day was hilarious!' Or, 'I tried that cleaning tip you mentioned, and it worked great. Thank you!' I'll admit, I'm still in the '...wait, you read that stuff???' phase of new-writerdom, but knowing that I have actual fans just has me walking on air when I'm reminded of it.
So I wanted to thank you guys for reading. I started this blog when I lost the aforementioned job in '09, and my friends promptly hopped on and made it a member of their Bookmarks folder. As it turns out, however much my writing has helped you crazy people on to greater heights of cleanliness, you can be sure that your patronage of my writing has helped me even more. A writer is nothing without an audience, and one of the best parts of 2010 has been the knowledge that I now have one.
Now that I'm done being sappy, I will leave you with some friendly Cleaning Bird advice for the new year.
1) White vinegar cleans Everything. Keep a gallon jug of it handy at all times.
2) Just...just get a Dyson. Seriously. Quit wasting money on cheap vacuums that don't work. Your allergies, and your guests, will thank you.
3) Don't forget to dust your fan blades! They should not look like muppets.
4) Adopt your pets from a rescue. It's cheaper than a breeder, and you're saving the life of a fellow creature. They pay for themselves in love and gratitude.
5) If you're going to be out boozing it up tonight, buy a friend dinner in exchange for them being the driver. I want as many readers tomorrow as I have today, so no flaming car crashes for you lot. The Cleaning Bird will be very disappointed in you.
In case you're wondering, I will be out and about tonight, but in the capacity of Designated Driver. I like to practice what I preach. Have fun, Cleaning Crusaders, and I'll see you in 2011!
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