Well, I feel an obligatory New Years journal coming on.  I would have posted something sooner, but my New Years was spent with my awesome friends doing awesome stuff (and stuff that is generally boring, except when done with friends).

Looking back on 2011, I realize that it is a noteworthy  year for me.  I don't know about the rest of you, but considering all the major developments in my life this past year, it will certainly stick in my head longer than say, 2009 or something.  I don't even remember what I was doing that year...and don't get me started on 2008.  Hahah!

Jokes aside; it really was a monumental year.  I finished college, graduating with a bunch of honors that kind of made me feel smart for a change and certainly made my parents even more proud than usual.  A good thing.  Plus, I got a real job (and possibly a career?) that pays exceptionally well for someone my age right out of college.  I count myself very lucky for the circumstances that helped lead up to this job, and I hope they like my work and decide to keep me around for awhile.  If things continue the way they are, I will have all of my student loans paid off by early next year and can start saving up for future endeavors.

Those are probably the two biggest things to make note of for me, but there are other very important things that happened in 2011, some of which are a lot more complicated.  For starters, I had my first serious relationship in 2011 (ironically, our first date was New Years Eve last year) and my first heartbreak.  I will never look down on others for being upset over a relationship again.  It rocked me harder than I would have expected, but it scared me more than anything considering my family's history with depression.  I hit that point, though I really didn't like to admit it, but I was depressed.  I recovered, however, and like a scar or a broken bone, I know I'm stronger now than I was before.  I count that as a good thing, ultimately, although I certainly wish I hadn't had to go through that process at all.

Other changes, and some that perhaps strike closer to home to some of you here on deviantART, was me seeing the end of several art clubs, whether by design or simply fact of the matter.  For years now I have been kept alive here on deviantART thanks to my sense of duty for these art clubs, and although I still participate in a handful, I know that I will never see myself as devoted as I once was.  I don't want to be here for art clubs anymore.  I just want to be here because I draw, and because I write.  I'm an artist, of some sorts; perhaps not of any real talent or achievement, but I do perform the same act as the rest of you...for my own reasons that even I'm not sure of sometimes.  I hope that this next year will see more consistent activity and some more non-club related works from me.

Continuing on, this year is also noteworthy to me for many of the video games that came out, especially the final quarter.  I was greatly pleased by The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, and I count it as another excellent addition to the franchise despite what others might say about it.  And I see now that Battlefield 3 will keep my multiplayer itch scratched.  And of course, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim proved once again that as much as I dislike Bethesda for coping out on product stability (as well as some other issues I just have with their games) that their RPGs are still very engrossing and addicting.  I haven't finished Skyrim yet, but I will certainly try eventually.  As for this coming year, I am eager to see how this Playstation Vita goes over, and of course the Nintendo Wii U will be releasing sometime in the latter part of the year.  2012 might very well prove to be a big year for video games in its own right.

And, speaking of 2012...I am eager to see how these doomsday predictions and expectations are going to come together.  I would put myself in the camp that thinks it's a bunch of malarkey and will blow over without a wink...but hey maybe something will happen?  Won't that be interesting.  Considering how many times we've said "This is it-- this is the end" and nothing happened, though...I won't be holding my breath.  I will be cracking jokes about it for sure, though.  Hahah

As for New Years Resolutions?  Ehh, I've never been much for those.  I guess I'm just not a very...resolved guy.  I'm pretty apathetic when it comes to that sort of thing.  It isn't that I don't set standards so I don't have to meet them; it's that I know that whatever I do I'm sure it will be a step forward, always forward, and putting forth goals will only hinder my path.  That doesn't mean I don't have some hopes and expectations though.  There are some things I'm eager to see put into motion.  Technology is always a big thing-- I've always been fascinated by science, whether I'm good at it or not, and I can't wait to see the kinds of techno-devices and what not that we come up with next!  Heck, we might even come up with some cures for diseases.  I hear we might very well have taken a big step towards treating Alzheimer's.  On a more personal level, however-- hehah-- I would like to fall in love.  Yeah yeah... Tyler isn't really the lovey-dovey romantic type, and I rarely talk about this sort of thing, but I would like to give love another chance.  You can insert any number of witty songs for that one, eh?  

But, enough about me.  I'd love to hear from you guys.  Leave me some comments if you will.  Let me know what you thought about 2011, or what you hope to see in 2012.  I haven't seen a lot of journals like this from my friends on dA, so I'd like to hear something.    Or you can just make fun of me or something, I don't care-- I'd just like to hear from you guys.