The Years of Swift

2008- Every Story has beginning; this is where The Years of Swift begins

December 2008- While on a car ride home a song comes on the radio, I take an instant liking to it the DJ says it’s called “Love Story and written by an artist called Taylor Swift and it’s from her new album “Fearless” despite being out for just a month the album as already sold 5 million copies. For Christmas I get the Fearless album.

2009- Since this year happened before I started writing “The Years of Swift” I can’t remember exactly what month these events happened, all I know is they did happen.

The Year of 2009- While watching the “Hanna Montana” movie, I’m excited to see my new favorite artist Taylor make a cameo and sing a song, in fact I buy the “Hanna Montana movie” soundtrack simply because it has a song by Taylor on it. ( I don’t own an ipod.) During the events of 2009, Fearless becoming the most awarded country album in music history, the “Kayne” incident, the start of the Fearless tour. I think it’s safe to say I become a Swifity. While eating at a Subway’s I hear that Taylor’s Fearless Tour is coming to Newark, New Jersey. Getting tickets becomes my #1 goal. I convince my mother to buy them and I visit Taylor’s website for the first time.


2010- At this point I’ve already been a Swifty for a while, little did I know that an impact Taylor would yet have on my life. ( I only cover three months in 2010)

January 2010- My tickets arrive and the waiting game for the concert begins. One day I go to see “The Lovely Bones” starring Saoirse Ronan. It’s without a doubt one of the saddest movies I’ve ever seen and Saoirse’s performance is outstanding, it isn’t long before she becomes my favorite actress. The Grammy awards take place and Taylor wins 4 including Best Country Song (White Horse), Best Female Country Vocal Performance (White Horse), Best Country Album and Album of the year. Taylor becomes the youngest artist in history to win the Grammy for Album of the Year.


May 2010- I attend the concert on May 12th, at the prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, I notice a lot of people are dressed up and feel bad that I’m not wearing any Taylor related merchandise, I then realize I don’t own any Taylor merchandise, other then the Fearless CD. I quickly fix that when I buy the Fearless Tourbook. I find my seats and notice that there are in the last row of the section. Luckily the people in front of me are preteens and hence shorter than me so I have no trouble seeing over them . I should also point out that this is the first concert I’ve been too EVER. I’ve been too a few Broadway shows but nothing of this portion. I still remember the feeling I had when I saw Taylor in person for the first time. I also remember after the show being completely deaf, but that goes away the next day. The night is nothing short of perfect.

December 2010- While browsing the internet I find out that Taylor is going to have The “Speak Now World Tour” sponsored by Covergirl and will be performing at Madison Square Garden in July to promote her album Speak Now which has already gone triple platinum . After the all the fun and excitement I had at the last the concert I went to as part of the “Fearless" tour, I beg my parents to buy me tickets, fortunately my good college grades help my plea and I’m allowed to pre order the tickets, the Year of the Swift begins. Celebrate Taylor’s 21st Birthday (December 13th). Later in the month I learn that the concert has been moved from Madison Square Garden to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. I’m a little happy about it because it’s a closer drive and I’ve been there before when I saw Taylor for the “Fearless” tour so I know the arena, at the same time I feel awful for the Swifties who can’t go because of the change. I also begin to worry about the tickets I pre ordered, my dad makes a few phone calls and says it’s all taken of. But I still worry. Christmas takes my mind off my worries as I get a Taylor 2011 calendar and a copy of “Speak Now”.

2011- was without a doubt the most memorable year of my life. So many unforgettable moments occurred over this year, some were personal, some were known world events and a lot had to do with my idol Taylor Swift. I wrote down all the events that I considered memorable over the past 13 months to show why 2011 was the Year of the Swift

January 2011- My tickets arrive, my worries are then focused on that “Speak Now” isn’t mentioned at the Grammy’s, a friend of mine explains that “Speak Now” was released after the 2010 cutoff date and would be entered at next year’s Grammys. Taylor does a show on the “Allure of the Seas”, the world’s largest cruise ship while it is docked in Cozumel, Mexico . The concert is named “The Allure of Taylor Swift”. I begin to listen to Speak Now relentlessly until I know every song by heart until the concert. I learn that Taylor was the #1 selling artist in album sales in 2010 with her albums combined selling 4.47 million copies. Taylor wins a People choice award for best Country Artist. I begin to write The “Stockholm Syndrome” Series, a set of 3 stories about the adventures of a fictional pop star named Linda Niles, to pass the time between the classes at college. I go to a Lexus dealership with my dad as he buys a new car, “Back to December” plays on the radio at the dealership which makes the trip worthwhile. I enter a contest with the prize being to get free tickets to a Taylor Swift concert and getting to meet Taylor herself. I don’t win but it’s still fun none the less. The “Back to December” music video debuts.

February 2011- Taylor is nominated for 3 ACM (Academy of Country Music) awards, Entertainer of the Year, Top Female Vocalist and Album of the Year. Sad news as the Blockbuster that I went to since 5th grade announces it will close in April. It’s an extra downer because it was at this Blockbuster were the “Speak Now” CD I got for Christmas was bought. On the brighter side, Taylor begins the Speak Now World Tour with the Asian leg in Singapore. My computer breaks and I have to call someone to get it repaired. The Asian leg of the Speak Now World Tour ends later in the month in Hong Kong. During the tour Taylor performs at the Araneta Coliseum in the Philippines which is the largest indoor arena in Asia. According to my PS3 which doubles as my CD player I have listened to “Love Story” over 200 times, I’m not really surprised since it was the very first Taylor Swift song I listened too and is my personal favorite.

March 2011- Celebrated my Mom’s birthday (March 4th); the restaurant we went to plays Back to December on the radio, which more than makes up for the terrible food. Taylor begins her European leg of the Speak Now Tour in Brussels, Belgium and ends the European tour later in the month in London, England. During the tour she performs at the MEN Arena and the O2 Arena, which are the 1st and 2nd most successful arenas (in terms of ticket sales) in the world respectively. They are also the 1st and 2nd largest arenas by capacity size in the United Kingdom respectively. Taylor expands the North American leg by 16 shows including two in November at Madison Square Garden , the most successful arena in the United States and 3rd most successfully in the world (in terms of ticket sales). It is announced Taylor will lend her voice to the movie “Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax” which be released in 2012. My Computer breaks again and I have to call someone gain to get it repaired. Taylor’s self titled debut album becomes 5x platinum (5 million copies sold). Mourn the passing of Elizabeth Taylor.

April 2011- The Blockbuster closes but not before I buy over 20 movies in a liquidation sale. Taylor wins the ACM entertainer of the year award. I also transfer from on campus college classes to online classes due to the strain of the hour long commute. This has an unforeseen benefit, since I am home more I have more time to listen and memorize the songs from “Speak Now”. Taylor appears on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”. I go see “Hanna” starring my favorite actress Saoirse (Sur-shuh) Ronan, not by coincidence on her birthday. (April 12th). Taylor’s twitter account reaches 6 million, on April 13th coincidence? I watch the royal wedding between Prince William and Catherine “Kate” Middleton. Celebrate my sister’s birthday (April 22nd). I see the rerelease of “Top Gun” you haven’t seen Top Gun until you see it on the big screen. At the showing there is a raffle and I win the movie on Blu-Ray and a Top Gun Poster, of course only three other people were in the raffle and one was my dad so I had pretty good odds.

May 2011-. The music video for “Mean” debuts .I celebrate my 21st (May 15th) Birthday at the local Burger King, not where everyone goes when they turn 21 but as Taylor says “you’re lucky enough to be different, don’t ever change”. For a birthday present I get a Taylor Swift Black Guitar t-shirt, and I get tickets to Taylor’s show at Madison Square Garden in November in addition to the concert in July. My sister announces that her boyfriend will be moving from Sydney, Australia to live with us for a little while. I buy a copy of “The Way Back” and “City of Ember” both starring Saoirse Ronan; also Saoirse gets the lead role in the movie adaption of Stephanie Meyer’s (author of the Twilight books) “The Host”. In what was originally her final dress rehearsal show Taylor has the Speak Now, Help Now benefit concert in Nashville to raise money for people who had been hit by the recent tornados in the southeast. The concert rises over $750,000 through ticket sales and merchandise sold. A few days later Taylor begins her North America in Omaha, Nebraska.

June 2011- After 30 years of teaching physical education my mother retries, also my sister’s boyfriend moves in with us. I begin to subscribe to Netflix, since the Blockbuster is long gone, first movie: Black Swan. I go to NYC to see the Intrepid, a US aircraft carrier that has been converted into a museum. My computer breaks for a third time and for a third time I have to call someone to get repaired. Unlike the last two, this breakdown causes most of my files to get destroyed. I get worried about the photos I took at the “Fearless” Concert I went too, as I stored them on the computer. By some miracle, the photos are one of the few files that survive. (The files that did get destroyed are easily replaceable) I get muscle tendinitis after jogging, it hurts badly and I worry if it’ll go away by the concert. A trip to the doctor and a few anti-inflammatory pills later pain is all gone, worries subside. After two years I finally get my braces removed. Taylor is the runner up in The Rolling Stone’s Queen of Pop contest. The decision is made based on album sales, twitter followers, Digital tracks, awards won, etc. (Lady Gaga took the top spot). During a concert at Gillette Stadium (an outdoor stadium) a heavy rain occurs, causing Taylor (and the fans) to get drenched. Taylor doesn’t skip a beat and continues the show. I get to watch “Death Defying Acts” and “I could never be your woman” on HBO once again starring Saoirse Ronan.

July 2011- Taylor gets Bronchitis and has to postpone a few shows. I feel awful for the Swifties that miss out and begin to worry about the fate the concert I was going too. Also my sister’s boyfriend moves back to Australia but will mostly likely move back again next year. While browsing The Taylor Swift online store I notice that for a limited time they are selling an autographed copy of the platinum addition of “Fearless”, I quickly jump on this opportunity and order. Within a few days I have my first autograph from Taylor. After 10 years I say good-bye to Harry Potter when I see “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 2” In 3-D. Later in the month Taylor returns, the concert before mine takes place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and goes off without a hitch, worries subside. Taylor’s website announces that Taylor had worked with Elizabeth Arden Inc.; to make a fragrance that will debut in October and will called “Wonderstruck”. The name comes from her song “Enchanted”. Taylor donates $250,000 dollars to the charity organization “Nick’s Kids” (run by the head coach of the University of Alabama football team Nick Saban). The money is for tornado relief efforts of West Alabama .The day of the concert arrives and words can’t express how I feel. I buy the Black Skyline Speak Now Tour t-shirt and the Speak Now Tour Book which comes with a poster. While waiting in my seat for the show to start I notice people around me start cheering when a women walks by. I later find out the woman is Taylor’s mother (Andrea) The concert itself is breathtaking. Needtobreathe (Bear Rinehart, Nathaniel Bryant “Bo” Rinehart, Seth Bolt, Joe Stillwell and Josh Lovelace) and Danny Gokey are the opening acts. Taylor does covers of Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” and Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer”. I take some great pictures during the show. The following day I take them to the local A&P to get the pictures developed. I also keep them on a USB flash drive in case my computer breaks again I don’t have to worry about losing my photos (The pictures from the Fearless tour are also put on the USB flash drive).Celebrate my dad’s birthday. (July 27th) While on the “Hamish and Andy Show” in Australia , Taylor performs a song called “Chaperone Dads”, a song dedicated to fathers who takes their kids to her concerts. Mourn the passing of Amy Winehouse.

August 2011- I buy the “Mine” Taylor lithograph. I also write a letter to my favorite actress Saoirse Ronan. I have to send it to her talent agency in Dún Laoghaire (dun-leer-e) a small harbor town outside of Dublin, Ireland and in the process I learn about self addressed stamped envelopes and International reply coupons. My mom decides to adopt a rabbit without telling anyone beforehand; we name him “Summer”. New Jersey gets hit by an earthquake how often does that happen? Buy supplies from Michael’s arts and crafts store to make my own custom Taylor t-shirt. Taylor wins 6 Teen choice awards, setting a record for most teen choice awards won in a single show, and bringing the total number of teen choice awards she’s won to 13. The “Sparks Fly” music video debuts. After a month of tracking it down, I find a copy of “The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey”. Who wouldn’t want to see a Christmas movie in the middle of summer and it brings the total number of movies I’ve seen with Saoirse Ronan to eight. (I saw two the previous year). Taylor gets an award at the “Do Something Awards” for the “Speak Now, Help Now” benefit concert back in May. The awards were determined by the public through online voting. Other celebrities given awards include Demi Lovato, Justin Biber, Will Ferrell and David Beckham. Taylor announces that the Speak Now World Tour will continue in March of 2012 in Australia and New Zealand.

September 2011- Taylor is nominated for 5 CMA (Country Music Association) awards, including Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year (Mean) and Music Video of the Year (Mean). It is announced Taylor will receive the 2011 Harmony award at the 27th annual Symphony Ball in December. The award is given to an individual “who exemplifies the harmonious spirit of Nashville’s thriving musical community” I’m beyond surprised when I get a response back from Saoirse and the fact I got it in less than a month. It’s an autographed picture of her; I quickly take it to a frame store to have preserved. The guy there claims the glass can reflect UV (Sun) rays and will protect the picture for 100 years. At the price I’m paying it better. I dub September “The Month of Saoirse”. Have a moment of silence for the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Taylor attends the Rodarte Spring 2012 collection fashion show; also at the show is Saoirse, which marks the first time my favorite singer and favorite actress are at the same event (Although I don’t know if they interacted). I watch an episode of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”. It shows Ellen interviewing Taylor at one of the Los Angeles shows of the Speak Now World Tour. The interview is beyond funny, I always loved the way Ellen treats the people she interviews with such respect. Later in the interview it was shown Ellen was the special guest for the concert. I request and get the free sample of Taylor’s fragrance “Wonderstruck” which is available through Taylor’s official Facebook page. Taylor gets 2 spots in the Guinness Book of World Records for fastest Selling Digital Album by a female artist (Speak Now sold 278,000 digital copies in a month) and Most Simultaneous U.S. Hot 100 Hits by a Female artist. (11). It is announced Taylor is releasing her first ever lived CD titled “Speak Now: World Tour Live” and it will be out in November. The Borders bookstore goes under nationwide and I get some movies in a liquidation sale. Taylor receives the Jim Reeves International Award. The award is for “outstanding contribution to acceptance of country music throughout the world”. On a tour stop at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado Taylor performs “Ours” live for the first time. From then on for the rest of the tour, “Ours” is part of the setlist.

October 2011-. I join Taylor Connect, while I’ve been visiting the website for some time; I’ve never joined the forums until now. Not long after joining I share “The Stockholm Series” with the forum. One girl in particular seems to love them, encouraging me to write a fourth one. I also have fun playing Mary-Kate’s Photo Contest. On the Tour Taylor stops at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas Texas, it is the largest indoor stadium in the world. Taylor makes up 3 of the 4 shows she had to postpone due to bronchitis, one in Louisville, Kentucky and two in Atlanta, Georgia. The fourth show is rescheduled for November. Taylor is nominated for three AMA (American Music Awards) awards including entertainer of the year, Favorite Country Female and Favorite Country albums Billboard announces that they will pick Taylor to receive their 6th annual Billboard’s woman of the year award and she will receive in December. Taylor partners with American Greetings. American Greetings’ official website sells Taylor themed, e-cards, postcards, greeting cards etc. . Taylor has the launch of her perfume at the Macy’s in New York City. My computer breaks for the 4th time this year and yep, I call someone to get repaired, no files were destroyed this time. Taylor is a guest on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” again only this time Taylor is at Ellen’s studio and all the members of the audience get a free bottle of Wonderstruck and one lucky fan named Mary-Kate (not the same Mary-Kate who runs the photo contest) gets to meet her. Mary-Kate also gets to wears a costume shaped like a bottle of Wonderstruck. I Buy the “Journey to Fearless” DVD and a biography about Taylor written by Andrew Vaughan from Barnes and Noble. Both have a lot of info. Taylor announces she has already written over 25 songs for her next album. It’s release date is only given as “2012” but many speculate it will come out in autumn of 2012 , due to her first 3 albums coming out in autumn. Celebrate the anniversary of the release of “Speak Now”. I wake one morning to a Blizzard? How does a Blizzard occur in October in New Jersey and the same year as an earthquake? I pass the time by watching the number of tress get destroyed. The weight of the leaves and the snow is too much for them to bear causing them to collapse. The snow causes a low Halloween turnout the next day, oh well more candy for me. Mourn the passing of Steve Jobs


November 2011- Taylor wins the CMA and AMA entertainer of the year awards. In addition to winning AMA entertainer of the year she also wins Favorite Country Female artist and favorite Country album making her three for three at the AMA’s. She also gets 3 people’s Choice Award nominations, including Favorite Female artist, Favorite Country artist and Favorite Tour Headliner. The Taylor Swift website undergoes changes and the forums are down until January. Taylor makes up the final show postponed by her bronchitis in Charlotte, North Carolina. I buy a new camera for the concert. Taylor adapts a Scottish Fold kitten and names her Meredith. I celebrate my own cat’s 9th birthday (November 9th). Taylor is profiled on “60 Minutes” by Lesley Stahl. The same day as the concert Taylor releases Speak Now: World Tour Live. I go to NYC wearing my custom Taylor t-shirt. When arriving at the Garden I find out my seats are next to the B-stage. Well next to the pit in front of the B-stage anyway. Many people are in costumes one that sticks to memory is a girl dressed as an ice cream cone with a sign that said” Ice Cream for Taylor”. Needtobreathe and Adam Brand are the opening acts. Take some great pictures of Taylor when she is on the B-stage, I lose track of how many times I shout “I love you Taylor” I’m not sure if she heard me, the girl sitting next to me certainly did. While Taylor is on the B-stage SHE AND I MAKE EYE CONTACT, it was only for brief moment but I’ll never forget it. I get a surprise when John Rezenik of The Goo Goo Dolls is the special guest; he and Taylor play the hit song “Iris” together. I spend the night in the city in what has to be the most cramped hotel in Manhattan. The North American Leg of the Tour comes to end the next day at the Garden, The Oceania Leg (Australia and New Zealand) will occur next March. I buy a copy of Vogue magazine with Saoirse in it the next day at Penn station as I leave the city. As with the last concert I keep the photos I took on a USB flash drive in case my computer breaks again. (Yes I should get a better computer).

December 2011- Taylor gets 3 Grammy nominations, Best Country Album- Speak Now, Best Country Song-Mean and Best Country Solo Performance-Mean. Taylor surprises her fans when she shows off her new haircut. She also receives Billboards woman of the year award, becoming the youngest person to win the award. The same week the music video for “Ours” debuts on E!. It is announced the song “Enchanted” will be featured in the movie “The Vow” which will come out next February. After the success of mailing to Saoirse, I decide to mail to Elle Fanning, younger sister of Dakota Fanning. I send an autograph request to her talent agency in North Hollywood, California. Taylor receives the 2011 Harmony award. I Celebrate Taylor’s 22nd Birthday (December 13th) and join Twitter for the sole purpose of wishing her a happy Birthday. I get a job at a theatre, working as an usher. Taylor is ranked 2nd in highest earning female musicians of the year with $45 million. (Lady Gaga takes the top spot with $90 million)Taylor gives her fans an early Christmas gift when she revels her latest song “Safe and Sound” featuring The Civil Wars ( Joy Williams and John Paul White)and it will be part of the soundtrack for the movie “The Hunger Games”, it quickly goes #1 on iTunes. Taylor’s Twitter followers reach 10 million. (Me being one of them). For Christmas I get the “Enchanted” Taylor lithograph, the “White dress” poster and a 2012 calendar. I celebrate New Year’s eve by watching “The Artist” Taylor is quoted saying “I want to do things differently in 2012”. “Speak Now” sold 800,000 copies in the United States in 2011 bringing the total number of albums sold in the US to roughly 3.8 million. Worldwide the CD has sold 5.5 million copies. Speak Now: World Tour Live has sold over 260,000 copies in the US. I realize what an impact Taylor has had on my life especially in the last year and I begin writing the “Year of the Swift”.

2012- It was never my intention to continue writing “The Year of the Swift” into 2012, but a new year meant a new impact and I’d thought share it with you

January 2012- The year begins on a bit of a sour note as the launch of Taylor connect has been delayed from January to February. In the mean time I continue to work on the “Year of the Swift” Whenever I think I’m done I suddenly remember another event and added it. The People’s Choice Awards take place and Taylor wins Favorite Country Artist. I get an autograph back from Elle Fanning and I get it framed the same way I got my autograph from Saoirse Ronan framed. Taylor gets featured on the front cover of Vogue magazine and has an extensive interview in it. During the interview she mentions a person named Sarah Jaxheimer. Rumors swirl that Sarah is the cheer captain who wears short skirts and high heels. Taylor herself shoots down these rumors. I find this copy of Vogue difficult to locate as I have to search through a ShopRite, a Stop n Shop, a 7-11, a Barnes and Noble and finally an A&P before finding the magazine. Taylor attends the Sundance film festival to watch a documentary called “Ethel” about Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy; she gives it a good review. The month ends with Taylor begin nominated for 3 Academy of Country Music (ACM’s) awards including Entertainer of the Year, Top female vocalist and Video of the Year (Mean).


February 2012- I finish working on the “Year of the Swift” and begin planning my summer vacation to Dún Laoghaire (dun-leer-e), Ireland. It’s the same town I sent my request for an autograph to Saoirse. Once everything is settled (hotel, flights, etc.), Taylor connect finally relaunches. It’s not a public launch about a hundred people are invited everyday to see it. Luckily for me I’m one of those people. The users complain about the lack of features compared to the old Taylor connect; the administrators assure features will added in time I quickly reconnect with my old friends and make some new ones. I befriend a girl named Brooke who has a chronic pain disorder called RSN/RSD. She wants to spread awareness about it and have people send in pictures showing their support. I convince my mother, my uncle, my sister, sister’s boyfriend, neighbor, neighbor’s son and my barber to send photos to help. I share the “Year of the Swift” on Taylor connect and it receives postive reviews Grammy night arrives and Taylor wins 2, Best Country Song (Mean) and Best Country Solo performance (Mean), Bringing the total number of Grammies she’s won to six. She also does an outstanding performance of Mean at the award show itself, putting the doubters in their place. The very next night the debut of Taylor’s music “Safe and Sound” featuring The Civil Wars debuts on MTV. It is breathtaking to say the least. The next week Taylor attends the world premiere of “The Lorax” and appears on Jay Leno. Rumors bring to swirl that Taylor is dating Lorax co-star Zac Efron. Taylor makes her 8th appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres show with co-star Zac Efron. They talk The Lorax, deny that they are dating and sing a song called “Really Weird”, all about Taylor’s experiences on Ellen’s show. Taylor is nominated for two Kids Choice Awards , favorite female singer and favorite song (Sparks Fly). A fan named Kevin McGuire from my home state of New Jersey who suffers from Leukemia wants nothing more than to have Taylor go to prom with him. His older sister Victoria, setups a facebook page to help spread his story and his plea. Taylor unfortunately can’t attend his prom but invites him to be her date at the ACM award show.


March 2012- My friend Brooke is inspired by Kevin McGuire’s story and decides to start a facebook page to convince American Idol winner Scott McCreery to her prom. I do what I can to help. My sister’s boyfriend moves in with me and my family again. Taylor begins her final leg of the Speak Now World Tour in Perth, Australia. I go see “The Lorax” at the theater in 3-D, to say it is crowded would be an understatement. Taylor does an outstanding job as does her co-stars, Danny Devito, Zac Efron, Rob Riggle, Ed Helms and Betty White. It isn’t long before “The Lorax becomes the highest earning movie so far of the year. The Speak Now World Tour comes to an end in New Zealand. I celebrate my mother’s birthday. The ACM entertainer of the year award is fan voted, so Taylor begins a campaign for people to vote for her, her cat Meredith is the star of the campaign. The Hunger Games soundtrack is released, Taylor has two songs on it, Safe and Sound and Eyes Open. I send an autograph request to Isabelle Fuhrman who plays Clove in the Hunger Games. I get to go see the Hunger Games, I’m surprised it’s not that crowded, (not nearly as the Lorax was) not to my surprise it is truly a defining moment in cinema. Everyone actor and actress does their part perfectly, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Isabelle Fuhrman, Stanly Tucci, Lenny Kravitz and the others whose names escape me. The very next day the teaser trailer for “The Host” starring Saoirse Ronan debuts. The Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins sends Taylor a personalized autograph thanking her for the songs she sang for the movie. The movie earns $151 million dollars in its opening weekend the 3rd highest ever opening weekend in movie history and the highest for a non-queal. Taylor appears on the TV show Punk’d with Justin Biber. (source: mtv.com) Justin tricks Taylor into think she launches a firework on to a boat setting it ablaze and forcing the occupants to abandon ship. To make matters worse it appears a wedding was being held the ship. Taylor is beyond horrified until she is notified it’s a joke. It is announced Taylor will receive the big help award at the Kids choice awards and the first lady Michelle Obama will present it to her (source: nick.com). Sad news as Kevin McGuire is unable to attend the ACM’s, Taylor vows to make it up to him. The following night Taylor receives the big help award at the KCA’s.

April 2012- Taylor wins the ACM award for entertainer of the year for the second year in a row. My friend Brooke gets word from Scott McCreery’s management that he will be unable to attend prom with her, but they assure her, her story stood out among all the other girls who asked him to prom. My sister’s boyfriend goes back to Australia; I’m told when he moves back gain it will be for good. I celebrate the 18th birthday of my favorite actress Saoirse Ronan. The Hunger Games takes over as the highest earning movie of the year. Rapper B.O.B mentions he and Taylor have recorded a duet that will appear on his next album which debuts in May. I buy the Hunger Games soundtrack; I’m delighted when I discover it comes with a poster. Also I learn that Taylor’s two songs on the hunger Games soundtrack represent 86% of single downloads of the album. Justin Biber reveals he and Taylor wrote a song together for his next album. There is some confusion on whether or not Taylor actually sings in it. We simply have to wait and see. Taylor gets nominated for three Country music television (CMT) awards, Video of the Year (Safe and Sound), Female Video of the Year (Ours) and Collaborative video of the year (Safe and Sound). Taylor connect is updated and restores many of the features that may of the users missed. I celebrate my sister’s birthday. I decide to continue writing the year of the Swift for 2012 and to release a new segment every month instead of waiting until year’s end, with the exception of the first part which will cover January through April.

May 2012- Rapper B.O.B releases his sophomore album titled “Strange Clouds. While I normally don’t follow rap, one of his songs titled “Both of Us” features Taylor. The song reaches #3 on iTunes. Music legend James Taylor (who Taylor is named after) gives an interview and talks about the duet he and Taylor had at Madison Square Garden last November (They sang James Taylor’s hit “Fire and Rain”). He praises her and says “she is finding her own voice” (wsj.com) I celebrate my 22nd Birthday (not a Burger King like last year) for a present I get the Peter Max Speak Now Art Poster signed by both Taylor and Pete Max. The next day I get an autograph back from Isabelle Fuhrman. To my surprise I get two pictures back both personalized even though I only sent one photo in, I feel loved. I also take them to the frame store like with the other autographs. Taylor comes in at #11 on Forbes 100 most influential celebrities. The decision is based on much the celebrities earns, how much net worth they have, how often they are mention in the news, etc. Jennifer Lopez takes the top spot. (forbes.com) In another poll Taylor came in at #26 on “Maxium Hot List for 2012”. Israeli model Bar Refaeli takes the top spot. (Maxium.com). Taylor donates $4 million dollars to the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum. The donation is the 2nd largest the museum has ever received from an individual. The money will pay for an exhibit and a classroom area, which will be called “The Taylor Swift Education Center”. The museum plans to open it in 2014. (washingtonpost.com) Taylor receives the woman of the year award at the 2012 Billboard awards. While she was acknowledged as woman of the year last year, she receives the physical award at the show. (tasteofcountry.com) Taylor gets nominated for 4 teen choice awards, female country artist, country song (sparks fly), single by a female artist (Eyes Open) and female artist. Facebook pages and YouTube videos are made to honor Sgt. Wade Wilson and to get to try to get in contact with Taylor. Wade was a soldier who died in Afghanistan. He was big Taylor fan and had a poster of Taylor next to his bed where he was stationed. The videos and pages get Taylor’s attention and she contacts Sgt. Wilson’s family. To show her support Taylor will wear Wade’s dog tags in her next music video. The Country Music Hall of Fame Museum announces it will have a Taylor themed exhibition called Taylor Swift: Speak Now-Treasures from the World Tour. The exhibition will run from June 6th until November 4th, will feature costumes( including 9 Taylor wore), different instruments (including the banjo and ukulele Taylor played) , parts of the sets used, and my personal favorite, the “flying” balcony Taylor was on when she sang “Love Story”. All of which were used on the tour. The exhibition is not connected to donation Taylor gave to the museum.

June 2012- A bit of a quiet month this month, Taylor mentions via Twitter that she is having a wonderful time in the studio. On personal note, I spend a week in Ireland. It is without a doubt the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to. While in Ireland I manage to find to a movie starring my favorite actress Saoirse Ronan that I spent quite a while looking for. Not too long after I come back, the music video for “Both of Us” debuts, with B.O.B and Taylor. Taylor keeps her word and wears the dog tags of Sgt. Wade Wilson. It is announced Taylor will perform with James Taylor in Boston. The press has given them the name Taylor squared. Taylor’s album “Speak Now” is named #45 on Rolling Stone magazine’s 50 greatest female album’s of all time. (Areatha Franklin’s Atlantic takes the top spot). Finally it is announced Taylor will launch her second fragrance “Wonderstruck Enchanted. It’s release date is October 2012.

July 2012- Taylor spends the 4th of July with the Kennedy’s and photos show her with Patrick Shriver, the son of Maria Shriver. Rumors begin to swirl that they are dating, Taylor denies them. I finally buy the Speak Now World Tour Live CD. I also begin another autograph search when I send a request to Irish actress Sarah Bolger. Taylor wins big at the Teen choice awards winning all five awards she is nominated for, including Choice female artist , Choice Female Country artist, Choice voice (for The Lorax), Choice single by a female artist, (Eyes Open) and Choice country song (Sparks Fly). This brings her total number of teen choice awards to 20 earning her the distinction of most teen choice awards won by a female. ( Justin Timberlake holds the record of 21). In honor of 2012 London Olympics, popdust.com has a “Pop Olympics” where artists from four different countries compete in games such as “best music video” and so on. Before Taylor can compete she has to be voted to represent the USA. Her competition is Ninki Minaj, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. Despite a strong showing from the Mother Monster, Taylor wins the right to represent the US. Her competition in the games will be Justin Biber representing Canada. The Wanted representing Great Britain and Girl’s Generation representing South Korea. Taylor is seen spending more time with the Kennedy’s and is seen with Conor Kennedy, the grandson of Robert Kennedy (who for the record was friends with my grandfather). Rumors swirl once again that she is dating a Kennedy. I realize that the title “Year of the Swift” seems outdated since I’m writing about the events of two years and I plan to write into 2013, I change the title into “The Years of Swift”.

August 2012- What a month this has been, there is a lot to cover so let’s get started. On a YouTube web chat Taylor answers some much sought after information about her fourth album. The album is going to be named Red and will be released October 22nd 2012. It will contain 16 songs the most of any of her previous CD’s, not including Deluxe versions. (Taylor Swift originally had 11 songs, newer versions have 15, Fearless has 13 and Speak Now has 14). She also releases the first single from the new album “We are Never Ever Getting Back Together”. The bubblegum pop song sets a record when it goes #1 on iTunes in just 50 minutes after its release. After it’s out for a week the song sets a record for best selling single in a week by a female artist with 623,000 copies. This shatters the previous record of 448,000 that was held by Lady Gaga for her song “Born this Way”. It is also the 2nd highest selling single in a week in music history. Rapper Flo Rida holds the top spot with “Right Round” with 636,000. The song also goes #1 on the billboard hot 100, the first time one of Taylor’s songs have achieved this feat. Her previous best was when “You belong with Me” reached #2. The next week WANEGBT is still #1 on the Billboard hot 100. I request and get a free sample of Wonder Struck Enchanted through Facebook, in a similar way I got a free sample of Wonderstruck last year (see September 2011). On MTV Taylor debuts the music video for her song “We are Never Ever getting back together” The music video is done in one long take with no edits and Taylor changes her outfit five times throughout the video, no easy task but Taylor accomplishes it with ease. The video is directed by Declan Whitebloom, who directed Taylor’s music videos “Mean” and “Ours”. It is announced Taylor will perform the song live for the first time at the 2012 MTV music awards on September 6th

Sources: My own personal experiences, Taylorswift.com, Taylorconnect, Taylor’s Twitter, imdb.com, facebook.com, youtube.com, s-ronan.com, Saoirse Ronan’s Twitter, fanmail.biz, billboard.com, The E! Network, Vogue magazine, yahoo.com, cmt.com, Recording Industry Association of America, thegarden.com, prucenter.com, Guinness Book of World Records, Nielsen SoundScan, MacFarlane Chard Ireland Literary and Talent Agents, rte.ie, CBS, americangreettings.com, dosomething.org, teenvogue.com, rolltide.com, nbc.com,hamishandandy.com, nashvillesymphony.org stubhub.com


Special thanks to Kelly, Amanda, Vicky, Tom, Steph, Claire, Jeff, Maddy, Mary-Kate, Brooke, Liz and of course Taylor Swift