Sofonda Cox rings in 2010 at Fly Nightclub, Toronto, Canada. Photo: SERIAL SEAN

Ok folks, this is it.

2010, the year in the 90′s that was supposed to give birth to hovercrafts, flying skateboards, and intergalactic travel (alongside 2 ties in a suit).  None of the aforementioned happened (thankfully, especially the 2 ties) – but, are you really surprised considering the claims of complete technological failure when we went into the year 2000?  There’s a reason these ideas are given birth and it’s not to meet a timeline – it’s to make people think, and react.  Precisely what I’m doing this year – reacting.

There has been a surge in the media in the last few years of only reporting bad news.  Where death and destruction certainly sells movie tickets, it’s not quite so popular when it’s actually real.  Taking a step backwards from the trend (as I usually do) I have resolved that 2010 (for me) will be all about the positive.

As this is my first entry for a year of positivity, I do have mention of a few wonderful events that happened over the holidays that brought warm smiles and cheer to everyone involved.  Toronto’s Fly Nightclub & Fire on the East Side Restaurant raised $4179 for the CP24/CHUM Christmas Wish drive helping contribute to 70,000 underprivileged children experiencing a Christmas this year.  The funds were raised at the two establishment’s staff holiday celebration.

Another event that took place was the Mr. Leatherman Toronto Bottle Drive which saw $600 being raised for the LGBT Youth Line, an organization that delivers support to our community’s youth.  I was recently informed that another drive will take place in the summer so start saving those empties!  Hats off to both initiatives.

On a personal note, I will be contributing photographic & graphic design services to a few additional charitable/non-profit organizations this year.  As a business owner I strongly feel that giving back to the community and city that supports your goals and projects is important.  News of these projects will be detailed here in the near future.

With 2009  left in the dust and vanished from view (minus of course the annual filing with Revenue Canada) and 2010 glowing bright and sunny before us i think that in order to have a great year we all need to want to make it happen.  Take a more goal oriented mind frame, set some goals, make sure you have a plan to achieve them, and most importantly – make sure you have the best rockin` out great time with a stupid smile on your face all year long.

Together, we can make this year our best one ever!

SERIAL SEAN
xo

Okay, so for one week a year at most we all take a second out of our busy lives to reflect on what we perceive to be the elements holding us back socially, economically and spiritually. We invest precious seconds to collect those 8 or 9 elements, scribble them down on something (probably the back of a used envelope) and then proceed to forget about them for another 360 odd days or so as we blythely go about our crappy lives wondering why they don’t improve. It’s a tradition. And it’s one I abhor. It’s been 30 plus years (shut it) of my doing just that, more or less, and still crap crap crap! Well the crap stops here. My resolutions are always about specifics: eating, talking, living. But no more! This year I’m boiling my resolutions down to one point. Fear. I will not have fear in 2010. Not in a real way. I think fear is highly underrated where life is concerned. We should be afraid! We should be afraid of things like traffic, electricity, and bitches at work. Fear of these things keeps us aware of them and when you’re aware, there are no surprises! But those big issues aren’t what’s holding me back. I have small fears, like grabbing a metal handle on a dry day and giving myself a shock. Or playing video games like a pussy who’s afraid of getting cyber-shot even though I can hit restart whenever I want. Or wearing bright coloured clothing even though I’d rather go through life like a big black hole…like my emotions. What were we talking about? Oh yeah, this year I resolve not to sweat the small stuff. I am going to go through life grabbing metal handles without grounding myself first! I will show Grand Theft Auto what stepping to the dark side is all about and as for that bitch at work. If she’s not made of metal or a hooker in level 6 of Grand Theft Auto, then I got nothing…but I’m not afraid of that.

All the best to you and your fears in 2010!
xox
rr

It is the 3rd day of 2010, and I have not had a full day of sobriety. Kind of sad, isn’t it? My liver must hate me, but that’s what happens when New Year’s falls on a day before the weekend.

I’ve made some resolutions for the New Year. My main goal is to lose approximately 30 lbs. Starting tomorrow I’ll be hitting the gym for what I’m calling ‘Honey, they shrunk the drag queen.’ I’ll keep you guys up-to-date with my weight loss and if you want to see this shrinking drag queen, you can come check me out every Friday night with Miss Conception for Fierce Fridays at Zelda’s Living Well(692 Yonge Street).

My other resolution for the New Year is to focus on me. 2009 was a rough year. I lost a parent, I was used, I had my heartbroken more than once. Although I achieved some professional goals, I found myself becoming very bitter and negative. Mainly, I lost trust in people and began to question who my true friends are. I was so focused on pleasing other people and worrying about what was thought about me, that I lost sight of what I WANT. Well, that’s all going to change. It’s a new year and a fresh start. 2010 is the year of me. Stay tuned.

With love and venom,

Heroine Marks