Family Visit 07

Despite being parked in by my neighbors, and having to shovel out the back of my driveway, I made it down to Rivendell River Vale in good time. The traffic on CT-15 was stop and go for unexplainable reasons, but I had some albums to listen to (all from the mid to late 90's. Boy do I still like "Kooler than Jesus"). I arrived as the family was about to sit down for dinner.

I talked with David about his experiences working on Into the Wild, and he told the story about driving through a blizzard in Alaska with Sean Penn in the front seat. The dinner wound it's way through the antipasto and the main course (delicious pork simmered in marinara sauce, and baked ziti) and we took a break before dinner to have the first O'Brien family Holiday Texas Hold 'em tournament. My uncle dubbed Gaylord Mitty after I won the first few big hands, but it was David who won the pot in the end.

The next morning was a light breakfast and watching a documentary called Riding Giants about the history of surfing. Now, I've never surfed in my life and can barely stand on a skateboard, but watching that video stirred some deep feeling in me. The idea of a small group of guys living out on the beach, catching their own food, dedicating their entire days to surfing and in the process setting trends that would affect the entire hobby for decades. It was that pioneering spirit, the rush of catching a wave that was though untamable, all that tropical water. My uncle and aunt went to Hawaii last year, now I have another destination to visit.

I spent barely a day down there, but it was as hard to leave as it always is. That's a good feeling, in away.

2007 in review for me

1. What will I remember about 2007?
2007 was a grappling year. I wrestled with a lot of problems coming out of 2006, and confronted old issues and demons. I started a new hobby, and got better at an old one. There was a lot of work and building in 2007.

2. Career?
It's there. I had major issues with boredom at work, but took steps to fill that downtime. This year may be a make or break in my career, either looking for something else or finding a way to make a bigger jump. There are no real problems with work itself though, I have the best boss ever.

3. Love?
More than I thought! I dated for a while, and "hung out" with a few people. There was one diasterous friendship, and a fair bit of pining. I dind't find love, but I suspect it's out there. I'll be in better shape for it come next year.

4. Social Life?
Astounding. I have an awesome group of close friends, and an amazingly strong network of decent people around me. Now that much of the burden of the past year is almost behind me, I look forward to spending more time with people, and continuing to drink deep of the life around me.

5. General?
I can say there was definite growth. I struggled and toiled to eliminate my debt, and it's almost sorted. I've put a lot of work in this year at being a better me, and it will soon be time to explore new things, and enjoy the benefits of my labor. It's like exercising; the first few weeks are the hardest, and they your body adapts and gets used to the new you.

6. Hobbies?
I've kept up with the poi, and will buy my own ignitable pair in 2008 (along with a staff). I want to keep up the dancing (for as long as I can, heh). My Warhammer record was 23 wins, 36 losses, and 14 draws, so there's some room for improvement there. I ended the year on a win, which was nice. After a long hiatus, I started running a table top again, and I'm glad I did.

7. Goals for 2008?
Travel to Europe, the Carribean, the West Coast, or Hawaii. Win a Grand Tournament. Say yes to myself more, and no less.

8. Trips?
Twice to Montreal (for music and film festival), Tampa (for work), New Jersey and Orlando (for Warhammer) and New Jersey again (for Christmas).

9. Compared to a year ago:
Defintely happier, a litte bit richer (or as least in the black), a little bit heavier but not from fat ;)

10. What else?
That sums it up really. 2007 was wrestling with and adressing the past. 2008 is about moving forward into unexplored and interesting terriroty.

Bring me that horizon!