<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/dice.jpg"><img src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/dice-300x201.jpg" alt="" title="dice" width="300" height="201" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-375" /></a> 

Last year on this very day, I launched an embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) blog at <strong><a href="http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogspot.</a></strong>

I had no idea what I was doing, but I was extremely well-intentioned and needed a 40th birthday project to keep me from slipping into a full-blown mid-life crisis.

It didn't work.

I plunged head-first into an existential crisis.  (I prefer "existential" over "mid-life" because it sounds so Kierkegaardian and cool.)

Life kinda sorta got in the way.  You can savor the thoroughly melodramatic details by reading <a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/" target="_blank"><strong>365 or Bust. </strong></a>

Anywho, life getting in the way is... well... <em>life.</em>

I need to get a grip and get on with mine.

So here we are.  One year later with fabulous new virtual digs (thank you, Shawn), a techie Svengali to teach me how to keep this puppy running smoothly (thank you, Svenny), and a frenetically fun mission:
<blockquote>To try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/or curiosity-injected thing each day for 365 days.</blockquote>
This is the point where everyone asks, "How are you going to keep this up?"

Fret not and leave the "how" to me.  I am on a mission, and missions lead people to all things possible.

I am sure that my daily espresso addiction will fuel this mayhem.  Currently, my poison is two shots a day.  (Italian, of course.)  Let's see how much I'm consuming when all is said and done.

More importantly, your support and encouragement will keep me revved up (and hold me accountable).  I am actively seeking cohorts to accompany me in whichever way you choose:
<ul>
	<li>Leave a comment on an (almost) daily post.</li>
	<li><strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/talk-to-me/" target="_blank">Talk to Me.</a></strong> What's on your mind, cupcake?</li>
	<li><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/" target="_blank"><strong>Submit a 365 idea.</strong> </a>Be creative.  Be nice.</li>
	<li>Friends in my fair city:  Pick a day and let's go!</li>
	<li>Friends in faraway places:  Bloom where you are planted.  And then please share your story!</li>
</ul>
If this post is your first visit to this blog, please check out <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/" target="_blank">365 or Bust</a></strong> and <a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/about/" target="_blank"><strong>What Makes Me Tick</strong> </a>to gather a better understanding of the history and quirkiness behind this project.

Join the inner circle of bloominess by <strong><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/latebloomerdiary" target="_blank">subscribing via email or RSS</a></strong>.  It's free, it's fun, it's easy, and it's the best way to keep in touch.

Today I turn 41, and I am no longer waiting for Happy Ever After to show up.  I'm creating my own fairy tale.

An intriguing and captivating  fairy tale isn't a One-Princess Show!  Who wants to join my chast of characters?

Carpe Diem and all that jazz!