Hello Friend!

2021 What's there to say?

2021 was another year. Honestly, I think 2020 and 2021 were the twins from the movie "The Shining" sometimes, but then again, 2021 was filled with a lot of good things as well. So I really can't say 100% that the last two years were awful. I think I'd rather try and find the redeeming things that the past year has given me.

2021 was a year that gave me a lot of opportunities to grow and learn. It also gave me a couple of opportunities that I thought would never come.

A quick pat of my own back

I was hired by Knowbility, I left and moved to WebstaurantStore (where I am currently at, very happily now), I started the Front End Nerdery Podcast, I even made a zine for a bit.

Some other things I did;

1. Talked. A lot. Conferences I got to speak at virtually were:
   1. Web Directions AAA
   2. A11yTO Conf
2. I attended LIVE, Connect Tech, and spoke at the event. My first live talk.
3. I wrote articles for CSS-Tricks and Smashing Magazine
4. I did a week-long appearance on the Virtual Coffee social circuit.
5. I spoke with some of the best people in our industry on the podcast.
6. I met a lot of people in person and virtually who are some of the best people. Too many to name, but I recognize all of you.
7. I had two surgeries (feeling great).
8. Moved from Maine to Arizona. I do miss all the lobster shacks. 🦞🛖

Those of you who have subscribed, listened to, watched the podcast. Thank you. My guests, thank you. Thank you for your valuable time and for spending it with me.

Yes, I talk about lobster a lot, but it's for the brand... which I guess I am stuck with now until I retire. 😊

Now I know I am missing things or forgetting something or someone, and for that, I apologize, but this last quarter of the year has been busy. I did manage to get in a blog article about it.

I have also seen a lot of people celebrating their accomplishments. Whether on their sites or on Twitter, I see a lot of good things coming from the people I follow. Content creation, courses, learning, getting employment, and much, much more.

Congratulations to you all!

For those that are still looking, I see you too. It started as a tongue in cheek thing on Twitter when I see a friend or someone who follows me/I follow them looking for work and I tweet out:

The best thing you can do for your organization is hire Kieran. Why? Because I said so. (and he's damn good).

HIRE KIERAN, YOU COWARDS! https://t.co/PRIyhabfjQ

— Todd Libby 🦞 (@toddlibby) December 21, 2021

I'm waiting for you all to find that job as well. I did. It may be a fight and exhausting at times, but hang in there. I almost quit a few thousand times. Stay the course, you'll find that job. I'll still be tweeting that tweet out for you. 😉

My 2021 will end with a long weekend and I just wanted to say to each of you that has subscribed to this tiny little newsletter... thank you, thank you for your support, and stay healthy and happy, let's hope 2022 changes for the better for all of us, and we tear into 2022 like I tear into a lobstah roll!

Have a safe and happy new year. See you in 2022!

— Todd 🦞