The Pop Eye Year in Review

AKA - Everyone else does this, so why not me?

With 2005 drawing to a close, it's time to reflect on what the year has meant to me. I don't feel compelled to dance on a rooftop and sing "It Was a Very Good Year", but I'll remember 2005 fondly for the following:

Moving On Up - The end of this year was the setting for the biggest change of my life; I was offered a job that I actually care about, which holds promise for upward mobility and I moved out of the town I have called home for my entire 32 years to get it. (Not counting the 4 years spent a mere hour north of Pittsburgh at College Party Central.) Yes, it's been scary, emotional and challenging but I've discovered that sometimes you have to go way outside of your comfort zone in order to find great opportunities.

With a Little Help From My Friends - One of the greatest things to come out of my whole move/new job was finding out that someone I respected immensely had a lot of respect for and confidence in me as well. Billy Campion, otherwise known as Vic Thrill, was always one of those guys who I really wanted to know...ever since I first saw him shimmying around in an old Bogmen video. I started out as a huge fan of his, and ended up a friend. And the best part is that there was no let-down in meeting him. You know how sometimes you develop an image in your mind of someone, only to find out that he/she isn't anything like you thought? Well, that's far from the case here....he's one of the best people I know. His latest record is guaranteed to kick the music industry in the ass, and he just got engaged. Without him, I never would've been presented with this job, so I'm really happy that we both seem poised for success and happiness in 2006.

I Get Paid For This? - Amazingly enough, part of my new job is to promote a band who I've already been a huge fan of for nearly two years now: the Knockout Drops. Long story short, I discovered this relatively unknown band, immediately loved them and vowed to do whatever I could to help bring them to a wider audience. With the limited resources of just an Average Jane fan, all I was really able to do was create a MySpace page for them and try passing out little sampler CDs. But now, since they've hired my new PR firm to promote their new stage show/accompanying CD, I'm given better ammunition to spread the word and I actually get money for doing so. Crazy. I always wondered what it would be like to have a job where I actually believed in what I was doing. I gotta say, it feels pretty good. Now, go buy their CD!! Honestly, it's one of the best, if not THE best of the year. Check it out on CDBaby.

Hey, Is That My Fan? - I still can't believe that you people read this blog! I started this as a lark...something I did out of boredom and despair over my previous work situation. I thought the only way I would escape my dead-end job was if someone out there found my writing and deemed it good enough to be featured somewhere. If even only on the back of a box of dog food. I don't know what I was thinking....with a gazillion blogs on the internet, who is really going to find mine and give a big enough shit to pay me for my babbling? I realized that soon enough, but then found that many of you did give a shit. And while you weren't paying me money to write, you were paying me the ultimate compliment - you kept coming back! You actually cared about what I had to say! You thought I was funny! And honestly, I like it better this way. Not many people know who I am, but the ones who do dig me. I'm like the Ani DiFranco of the blog world. An indie blogger. That's cool.

Tom Cruise - Tom, you had me at "you're being glib". What would I have done without you this year??

Comments

Neo said…
Becky -Man you have it in for Tom eh? LOL

That's great that you're doing what you love and you had a good year. I think 2006 will be mine. *hugs*
Lee Ann said…
I wish you continued success. I have to say I have enjoyed getting to know you. I hope we would some day get the chance to meet. I think we would get along fabulously.
Please try and stay in touch with us as much as possible.
Love and hugs,
Lee Ann
Bar L. said…
the Knockout Drops! My friend Traci is going to die when I tell her this, she ADORES them (are they the ones Bowie jumped on stage with a few months back?)

Beck, I am so glad you chose a blog rather than a bag of dog food. I would have paid to read the bag, but this is so much more convenient.

You truly rock and are worthy of every compliment.
BeckEye said…
Bowie??? Hmm...I think I would've heard about that. I heard that he jumped onstage at an Arcade Fire concert, but other than that I don't know. If you know how to get Bowie down to a Knockout Drops show, let me know!! :)
LoraLoo said…
It sounds like this was a year of seriously good change for you. Lucky us, we got to watch it happen through your eyes! You are a very talented writer and I'll be here to read as long as you are there to write.