This past year was eventful, to say the least. Both my grandmother and my uncle passed away. I was born on my grandmother's 70th birthday. This year I celebrated my first birthday without her. I have a good friend who lost his mother this year.
I gained and regained some people this year, old friends and new. I've been reminded that I'm not very good at keeping in touch with people. Luckily, I've had people go out of their way to make sure that I didn't slip out of their lives. I've enjoyed the company of new friends, and of old friends who have been closer. I've also spent much time with my family this year -- a good thing.
I've acquired things. Most notably the desire to learn how to do more with my time. I refinished a guitar with my parents, and I'm about to build a guitar from a nice chunk of alder. I do tons of planning and thinking. I always map things out and have ideas bouncing around in my head. I've realized that I have to follow through with those ideas, to spend my spare time making things happen. To get off my ass. Other notable things I've acquired include three guitars, a violin, a super cool keyboard, and a mandolin that's older than three times my age. I also finally got the Ewok I wanted throughout my childhood. I helped bring life to an instrument that had a very rough life...it lived through a nasty flood and years in pieces. It now breathes again and creates beauty with every touch.
Oh, yeah. I now have a great amp and many fun pedals.
My dear friends Jacob and Julie celebrated the birth of their first born child. They even trusted me enough to let me hold him (I usually stay away from small children).
I spend very little of my time and money drinking now. I think that's a good thing. I've spent my share of time in a bottle, well, many of them. It's time to move on. Not that I'm saying I'll never drink again, but I'll certainly drink much less, and with much more care.
I found a bunch of great music over the year. I didn't make as much music as I would have liked, but some good sounds flowed on occassion.
I realized that I don't listen the way I used to. I don't even hear as I once did. Not that I can't hear as well as I used to...I just don't. It's from a lack of focus and a lack of concern. I hope to once again hear Mahler as I used to, especially in the few symphonies of his that I haven't explored very much. I logged many hours on Ebay. Not as many as Todd has logged on Angband, but quite a few. I learned some Japanese. Watashiwa Nihongoga scoshi wakarimas.
I saw Lord of the Rings twice. I watched Almost Famous at least 12 times. I can't begin to count the hours I spent watching Kenshin. All those hours were well spent.
All the holidays were enjoyable. Great food, and family members that I like. I didn't have to hide with my dad in his room while my mom spent time with relatives. That's a first.
I left out a crucial moment. I saw the Buffy musical episode...many, many times. :)
Well, that about sums it up. Good and bad. It was a year...