Hello. My name is Charlotte, and I’m a write-aholic.
One of the reasons why I enjoy blogging and chronicling the stories of my life is because it’s always interesting to look back at where life ended up taking you. It’s often very different from where you may have “envisioned” yourself . As December 31st approaches, people reflect on the past year and often bring forth their visions for the future. I often find that each unexpected experience was exactly where I needed to be, in retrospect. So for 2009, I simply resolve to roll with the punches, continue following my gut, and work hard…all while having too much fun.
It’s a personal mission of mine to have my passport stamped at least once per year and to be in a new, different place on my birthday, and 2008 continued in that tradition. I closed 07 with a trip to Rochechouart, France, and a few months later I was cruising up the east coast with some artists and musicians the week of my birthday.
The underground music culture in Pennsylvania, a semi-creepy unexpected late-night “tour” of Capitol Hill (the GPS made us do it!), the quiet towniness of West Virginia and Jersey, and the eclectic hipness of New York’s different burroughs were all incredible things to experience. That trip made me realize that I want spend more time living in all regions of the country, at least for a little bit.
Whereas the year before I had been all about good ol’ rock, 2008 widened my musical tastes as well. World-renowned, Jamaican dub reggae DJ Mad Professor opened my eyes to the world of dub at the Abbey Pub on April 5. Dub reggae is trippier, more electronic, and a million times different from the commercial Bob Marley flavor. That spring and summer, two of my girl friends and I went to multiple stops on Hanson’s “The Walk” and the “Walk Around the World” tours in different states (although Hanson isn’t a new passion of mine–more like 11 years in the making).
Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan were fantastic during the Taste of Chicago in July. I also watched Ornette Coleman, who created “free jazz” over fifty years ago, perform at the Chicago Jazz Fest on August 31 (and subsequently wanted to die from my sheer level of amazement). I also became a true-blue fan of chart-topper Lil’ Wayne–although it wasn’t his radio hits that initially won me over; I was exposed first to different mixtapes of his that weren’t being broadcast every hour.
Regardless, I also rediscovered my appreciation for smash hits and Top 100 tracks–Timbaland, Rihanna, Katy Perry, T.I., Kanye, Estelle, T.Pain, Lady Gaga and even Britney. While I will always love independent and non-mainstream music, I still raise my glass (and shake my ass) to those who come up with catchy beats and unforgettable hooks.
While working at the members-only clubs at Soldier Field, United Center and The Cell, I watched our teams rise and fall and decided to withdraw from the emotional roller coaster that comes with being a fan of Chicago sports. It’s just too much.
In 2008, I rekindled my love for David Sedaris’ memoirs and became newly fond of Augusten Burroughs’ similar dry wit. Alice Sebold’s novel The Lovely Bones was a good read, and I enjoyed classic pieces from Dostoevsky, Voltaire and Nathaniel Hawthorne.
This final year in my undergraduate studies exposed me to some gems of artwork and new ways of perceiving the world, and also pushed me to the extreme in regard to writing, blogging, and reporting. Traditional journalism and the media are changing, but this generation is lucky to be on top of new technologies and ride the wave of lightning-fast change. My background in journalism adds substantiality to my blogging, I believe, and this year I learned just what it takes to continually be looking for and creating content and updating constantly.
As a firstborn, first-generation daughter to parents from Zambia, Barack Obama’s Nov. 4th election was especially groundbreaking and a collective victory–and nobody has any excuses anymore. 
I was in the crowd of love that historic night, knowing that I was a part of something beautiful. After the euphoria fades, however, my hope is that people are inspired to be the change they want to see in the world, rather than wait for a handout or magic wand solution. I have faith that President-Elect Obama will be a wonderful leader for this country. For the first time, I know what it means to take pride in your country…and pride in your city.
This past year solidified my love affair with Chicago. Whether I was dancing at the Petrillo Music Shell, contemplating inside the Agora statue park, or attending a showcase at the River East Art Center, I loved every minute. Sushi in Lincoln Park, Mexican in Little Village, or vegan in Wicker Park–the city has everything I need. Great food, good people, and a decent transpor system. Chicago is bound to be at the epicenter of a lot of worldwide attention thanks to Obama and the Olympics, and rightfully so–it has a lot to offer!
Looking back, I never would have imagined that I would have experienced all that I did–how can you? So again, I’m just going to go with the flow, continue putting positive, creative energy out there, and see what adventures come my way next.
Cheers, and welcome to my column and 2009.
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