A Year In Review...
Thursday, January 1, 2009 at
12:19 AM
•
Billy Joel,
Bon Jovi,
Dallas Cowboys,
Election 08,
Friends,
Home Buying,
Houston Astros,
Hurricane Ike,
Music,
Year In Review
•
The clock's finally struck midnight, and the metaphor that is "new beginnings" is officially underway.
Several positive events have unfolded in 2008, and while I appreciate the many gifts I'm blessed to have, it'll certainly be a year that'll help propel change in my life.
In March, I quit a good job to move to another company that promised growth potential, only to be laid off less than six months later. I was probably sacrificing too much for a career in professional sports, as it would prove to be difficult for someone unwilling to relocate for advancement opportunities. Plus the financial aspect made it tough to seriously begin a family.
Combine rough financial times with a recession across the globe, and you have a very unsettled nation. Our house was no different. Quoting "Song Of The South" by Alabama: "Somebody told us Wall Street fell, but we were so poor that we couldn't tell."
Hurricane Ike ravaged my home. I remember living through the threat of hurricanes while in Texas, but most of them spared us. This year, my family was hit head-on. It's toughest watching from the sidelines knowing there's nothing you can do. Some of my family lost their homes and businesses, but in the end, I know they'll rebuild stronger than before.
While the relationship with my wife grew stronger, we learned how difficult a marriage can be, and continue to learn some of the sacrifices required.
And to top it off, my Astros dug themselves such a deep hole in the first half of 2008, that one of baseball's best records after the All-Star break got them nowhere. Add that to the Cowboys not making the playoffs and the Longhorns getting screwed out of the National Championship game, it wasn't a good year for me in sports.
Eli Manning winning a Super Bowl didn't help, either. But 2008 has been widely viewed as one of the greatest sports years of all time.
There were certainly positives, though - and for each of them, I'm grateful.
I was able to travel to Phoenix for my first time on a business trip. It was my first experience at a sales & marketing meeting for a professional sports league.
Rebecca traveled to Alaska with her father and sister, then later went to Italy to study abroad for fashion school. It's was great to see her so excited.
One of my best friends was married to a woman way out of his league, and I couldn't be happier for them. We wish the best to Jonathan & Marie.
The Great American Beer Festival was a great experience, and one that was made even better by Odis coming to town.
We bought our first house in April, which was the culmination of many months of searching. We're quite happy with the decision, and look forward to making memories here.
And while the recession is worrisome, the election of Barack Obama as the nation's 44th President gives us lots of hope for a better future. Granted, he wasn't the candidate I voted for, but there's no doubt that he brings something to Washington that hasn't been seen in my lifetime. Conceivably, he'll inspire a nation to work hard and help bring a can-do attitude this country's been lacking for some time.
Finally, my wife's made me proud by working hard to finish school and maintain a full-time job, and my brother's finally seeing the fruits of his labor translate into a successful career. Not to mention, the relationship I have with my parents, grandparents, other relatives, in-laws, and friends.
...and when the time is right, we just might make another announcement from 2008, as well.
Since my sports teams didn't play as hoped, it was a good year for music. We saw Billy Joel, the Dave Matthews Band, John Meyer, Aaron Watson, Carrie Underwood, Randy Travis, Bon Jovi, and The Roots. Music is certainly a strong passion of mine.
Every year starts out with promise - and I truly believe luck is something you make for yourself - but it's refreshing to begin with a clean slate. Tonight, I'll say a prayer asking for guidance, but I'll know my free will is going to determine what comes next.
Several positive events have unfolded in 2008, and while I appreciate the many gifts I'm blessed to have, it'll certainly be a year that'll help propel change in my life.
In March, I quit a good job to move to another company that promised growth potential, only to be laid off less than six months later. I was probably sacrificing too much for a career in professional sports, as it would prove to be difficult for someone unwilling to relocate for advancement opportunities. Plus the financial aspect made it tough to seriously begin a family.
Combine rough financial times with a recession across the globe, and you have a very unsettled nation. Our house was no different. Quoting "Song Of The South" by Alabama: "Somebody told us Wall Street fell, but we were so poor that we couldn't tell."
Hurricane Ike ravaged my home. I remember living through the threat of hurricanes while in Texas, but most of them spared us. This year, my family was hit head-on. It's toughest watching from the sidelines knowing there's nothing you can do. Some of my family lost their homes and businesses, but in the end, I know they'll rebuild stronger than before.
While the relationship with my wife grew stronger, we learned how difficult a marriage can be, and continue to learn some of the sacrifices required.
And to top it off, my Astros dug themselves such a deep hole in the first half of 2008, that one of baseball's best records after the All-Star break got them nowhere. Add that to the Cowboys not making the playoffs and the Longhorns getting screwed out of the National Championship game, it wasn't a good year for me in sports.
Eli Manning winning a Super Bowl didn't help, either. But 2008 has been widely viewed as one of the greatest sports years of all time.
There were certainly positives, though - and for each of them, I'm grateful.
I was able to travel to Phoenix for my first time on a business trip. It was my first experience at a sales & marketing meeting for a professional sports league.
Rebecca traveled to Alaska with her father and sister, then later went to Italy to study abroad for fashion school. It's was great to see her so excited.
One of my best friends was married to a woman way out of his league, and I couldn't be happier for them. We wish the best to Jonathan & Marie.
The Great American Beer Festival was a great experience, and one that was made even better by Odis coming to town.
We bought our first house in April, which was the culmination of many months of searching. We're quite happy with the decision, and look forward to making memories here.
And while the recession is worrisome, the election of Barack Obama as the nation's 44th President gives us lots of hope for a better future. Granted, he wasn't the candidate I voted for, but there's no doubt that he brings something to Washington that hasn't been seen in my lifetime. Conceivably, he'll inspire a nation to work hard and help bring a can-do attitude this country's been lacking for some time.
Finally, my wife's made me proud by working hard to finish school and maintain a full-time job, and my brother's finally seeing the fruits of his labor translate into a successful career. Not to mention, the relationship I have with my parents, grandparents, other relatives, in-laws, and friends.
...and when the time is right, we just might make another announcement from 2008, as well.
Since my sports teams didn't play as hoped, it was a good year for music. We saw Billy Joel, the Dave Matthews Band, John Meyer, Aaron Watson, Carrie Underwood, Randy Travis, Bon Jovi, and The Roots. Music is certainly a strong passion of mine.
Every year starts out with promise - and I truly believe luck is something you make for yourself - but it's refreshing to begin with a clean slate. Tonight, I'll say a prayer asking for guidance, but I'll know my free will is going to determine what comes next.
