TOP TEN THINGS THATHAPPENED TO ME IN 2012!

I didn't die!

All in all, 2012 was a rather a weird year.  Some great things happened world wide (i.e., President Obama was re-elected, gay marriage was legalized in my home state of Washington, The Avengers movie didn't suck) and a couple of things that were just really shitty happened (the Kardashians continue to be a thing, Republicans said a bunch of horrible things about women and rape in public political settings, mass shootings became uncomfortably prominent, America's Best Dance Crew was cancelled) so and so on.  Although there are a lot of things I could talk about that were great in 2012 (since the bad ones are kind of a downer and it is a drinking night so let's not derail this tragedy train too soon), I have decided to mention for the sake of who cares, MY favorite things that happened to ME in 2012!  So, without further adieu, I give you the one countdown that will matter the least tonight, MY TOP TEN THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO ME IN 2012 (aka: Get ready mom because you're the only one I know that reads my blog)!

10. A DISNEYLAND VACATION WHERE NO ONE DIED!

Yes, I'm wearing a scarf in the summer.
That fat hump isn't going to hide itself!

This summer, my immediate family, meaning my parents, sister, brother-in-law, niece and my then boyfriend all went on a trip together for one week in Disneyland.  This sort of sounds like a set-up for a filler Saved By the Bell episode, but it was one of the more successful family outings we've ever shared as a group!  No one got lectured for drinking too much, no one had a debate about racism, no one bled unnecessarily, no one broke up and no kids were harmed in the making of this merriment!  Just several rides, California Adventure beers, Pirate dinner shows and episodes of Storage Wars watched in total tranquility!  Also, we all spent a morning watching THE AVENGERS movie at a theater there so I didn't complain about missing it opening weekend the whole time.  I don't know how much more successful this trip could have been other than if I was able to ride the Peter Pan ride more than once or hadn't developed a phobia of strollers.  I did almost die on Soaring Over California, but we can't leave all of our bags of bullshit at home.  
 

9. LEVEL UP! GETS LEGIT!

Me, Corbett and Scott

This year was one of the more important years my comedy group, Children of the Atom has had since its inception.  With the introduction of new member, fellow comic and friend, SCOTT LOSSE, the remaining members, CORBETT CUMMINS and myself finally got the momentum to take the group and our shows more seriously.  With better line ups, more organization and actual COTA merchandise (we've got buttons y'all), we're practically a legit comedy group, sort of!  Thanks, SCOTT, CORBETT and FedEx/Kinkos!

8. I GOT CLOSER TO TALKING TO WILL WHEATON AT COMIC-CON (SORT OF)!

Sooooo clooose.  I actually stood in his meet and greet line this year at Emerald City Comic Con for at least ten minutes before I was frightened off by a half naked smelly lady in a badly crafted Cthulhu outfit.  Oh well, there's always next year.

7. THE ENEMATIC CINEMATIC...LIVES!!

Kevin Clarke, Travis Vogt, Mark Allender, Me

Finally after much non-effort on my part, my most personally anticipated project ever, a monthly live version of my podcast, THE ENEMATIC CINEMATIC, finally got off the ground!  Thanks to the help of TEC regulars, filmmakers/fun dudes TRAVIS VOGT and KEVIN CLARKE who have become my regular co-hosts, producer of all productive things, MARK ALLENDER and the awesome bar that is The White Rabbit in Fremont, THE ENEMATIC CINEMATIC: LIVES!! has been a surprising somewhat success, depending on how you measure those things!  If you like bad movies and hanging out with fun weirdos, you should absolutely see this show.

6. A LOSER GETS A LAPTOP!

Look at this craftsmanship!!

After years of scraping out sub-par comedy advertising images with my dated Microsoft Paint program on my old as shit desk PC (old as in, one of the few things I got in the "divorce"), my mother finally took pity on me and bestowed upon me the use of her new, fancy, superior laptop.  My crappy show posters are brighter and my YouTube videos run smoother thanks to her!  Adulthood achievement UNLOCKED.

5. I FINALLY WENT TO THE DOCTOR AND I'M NOT DYING (I THINK)!

What could go wrong?

Since I have been working 2 to 3 part time jobs in the past year or so, I haven't been able to see a doctor regularly because of the whole, lack of insurance thing.  During this time, my personal panic levels have peaked to an embarrassing degree involving at least one ridiculous call to 9-1-1 when I was sure I wasn't breathing anymore for no reason.  This year, I conjured the courage and made the bus trek all the way to the top of Capitol Hill for an appointment with the low-income clinic, The Country Doctor.  What I found out?  My heart is super healthy, my lungs are fine and I probably need to make an appointment with the "behavioral specialist."

4. HOW DID I MAKE SO MANY COOL FRIENDS?!?

Never fall asleep around friends.
Especially if they're cool.

One of the most important experiences I will take away from this year is the fact that I've met or become close with a staggering amount of really awesome people who I now consider confidants.  I'm not sure how and why these people are okay with my general presence, but here's to hoping I don't weird them out in 2013 ( i.e. GINA MAZANY, SARAH ROSKE, TRIVIASAURUS REX, SCOTT LOSSE, SARAH SKILLING, JENNIFER BURDETTE and an important reconnection with college friend ANORIA, I'm creepily talking about all of you). 

3. PROVIDING COMMENTARY FOR A LIVE SCREENING OF BEASTMASTER WITH DIRECTOR, DON COSCARELLI!

By far, one of the most amazing and memorable things I had the pleasure/opportunity to do this year was to provide comedic commentary over a live screening of BEASTMASTER at Seattle's Crypticon with fellow comedian EMMETT MONTGOMERY and the film's legendary director DON COSCARELLI!!!  As in not only director of BEASTMASTER, but also director of PHANTASM and BUBBA HO-TEP, DON COSCARELLI!!!  We sat, we laughed, we made jokes at Mark Singer's expense and I confessed to Don that as a fat kid in elementary school, BEASTMASTER was one of my favorite movies, causing me to carry around a fanny pack with stuffed foxes/wolves in it and throw them at bullies as if they were ferrets I could control with my animal telepathy and honorable friendship.  Afterward, Don hugged me and told me I was "really funny."  I ALMOST PEED MYSELF TO DEATH, you guys!!  Almost.

2. MY FIRST BIG FEATURE GIG!

One afternoon, I was sitting at home, minding my business (aka watching creepy graphic crime shows alone) and I received a message on FaceBook from one of my favorite comedians, Hari Kondabolu.  This is already pretty exciting as is.  I read the message, then promptly read it over at least 14 more times.  Would I, unknown bucket of farts, Elicia Sanchez, be interested in featuring for amazingly talented and well known comedian, Hari Kondabolu at The Comedy Underground in Seattle for 6 shows in December?  Um, YES!!!  This string of shows turned out to be one of the greatest experiences I've had so far in comedy.  I realized all over again why I started doing this in the first place and I remembered what it was like to enjoy performing.  Thank you, Hari (although I've already thanked you an uncomfortably inhuman amount) and thanks SO MUCH for all my friends and family that came out to see me.  You guys are the greatest people ever.
 

1. I GOT MARRIED AND STUFF...

To the death!!!

There isn't much to say about this other than I couldn't have had a more perfect day with a more perfect dude.  Sure I looked fat as hell, I barely got to eat enough tacos, my family was stuck cooking through most of the reception and it was way too hot out for mandatory Star Trek uniforms, but goddamnit if this sort of thing doesn't remind me how bizarrely lucky I am to have such rad friends and family and the coolest/hottest tall drink of water that I get to call my roommate, I don't know what weddings are supposed to be.  Even if I'm embarrassed by most of the pictures, GREATEST day of my life.