I’ll be drawing up a Florida trip report later today or this evening.
Somewhat traditionally I’ve used the last the last three blogging days of the year to recap my year in three parts — The Good, The Bad, The Ugly. Today, the “Good.”
I Heard Many Good Things Year
The Live Stuff
This year I attended many great concerts (I’ll leave the ones I’ve missed until tomorrow). I used to keep a convenient list of the shows I’ve seen, sadly those are only contained withing a Google Calendar these days so I’ll have to go by memory.
In chronological order these are the shows that rocked my world this year
- Long Ryders @ The EARL, January 9th
- Fucked Up @ The EARL, January 25th
- Meat Puppets @ The EARL, June 16th
- The Dirty Projectors @ The EARL, July 17th
- Magnolia Electric Co. @ 40 Watt Club, July 22nd
- Jason Lytle / Neko Case @ Ryman Auditorium, July 25th
- Hawk And A Hacksaw @ The EARL, September 25th
- Chatham County Line @ Eddie’s Attic, October 2nd
- Leonard Cohen @ The Fox Theatre, October 20th
- Get Up Kids @ Masquerade, November 11th
The Recorded Stuff
True to my 2008 plan to eschew physical copies of media I purchased nearly all of my music digitally. The year 2009 had few “awesome” albums, but there were a few that I purchased this year that I can see playing for the rest of my days.
In no particular order I offer these purchases as things you should consider purchasing too
- Manchester Orchestra — “Mean Everything To Me” (may actually be a 2008 record but still good enough for my list this year)
- Neko Case — “Middle Cyclone”
- Jason Lytle — “Yours Truly, The Commuter”
Not a bad year. Not a bad year at all.
Ich Bin Ein Programmer Wieder
The time for me to write code has returned. On at least one front my return has been a success, at my job. Considering programming at work pays the bills then this is the one area that means the most.
I have my sites on doing a lot more programming in 2010. Hello passion, it’s good to have found you again.
I Sold A Photo!
Technically I sold two photos, but only one brought me the profits.
The first photo sold this year was at an auction. The second photo sold this year, this one
was purchased by someone during a gallery show. I have to admit that it was a great feeling to have someone buy my photo.
Traveling Man
Oh Canada
The biggest trip this year was my trip to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. While on the whole the trip didn’t produce much in the way of photography, a theme which would rear its ugly head much in the second-half of 2009, it was an experience. How many people do you know who have gone to Winnipeg? Now you know at least one.
It’s Up To You New York
I spent a great handful of days with my brother and sister-in-law late in the Summer. In addition to spending a lot of quality time with my brother I was able to attend the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit at the Guggenheim. For those who don’t know, I am a huge fan of Wright’s work.
I Went “Home” For Christmas
Having just returned from a few days in “sunny?” Florida it’s good to be home. Like I said at the outset of this post, I’ll give a complete update later. However, it was great to see my mother. I could tell that she was thrilled to have me around for a few days, which naturally made me feel good.
The Jackmobile Is Still Running
I February my reliable, aging, steed the Jackmobile was diagnosed (look at me describe my car as if it were a person) with $2700 worth of repairs. This was a tough decision for me, but since I still believed in the old chap I sunk the money into it.
The Jackmobile took me all of Georgia, to Raleigh, Charlotte, and Florida this year. I love driving this car, although I can see a change on the distant horizon.
Conclusion
2009 was not a “Good” year. But I’m still here.
Tune in again tomorrow for “The Bad.”
Welcome back Paulie, are you mentally preparing yourself to get beat at bowling on Friday?
Oh wait, maybe I should wait for Thursdays “Ugly” post to start taunting you.
Thanks. There will be plenty of taunt-worthy material in tomorrow and Thursdays blogs.
I have all my excuses prepared for Friday.
BTW – no mention of the Jets beating the undefeated Colts?
Glad you made your mom happy by going to visit – I had to call my mom everyday last week to remind her about the bad weather & why I don’t come home at the holidays. (too many hours spent in airports back in the day)
I’ve been SUCKING at Wii bowling, maybe I’ll do better in real life. Did you guys check out the prices at that bowling alley they picked for Friday on the AH4 website?
No, no mention of the Jets’ victory especially since the Colts took out their stars.
I also didn’t mention the Gators’ season mostly because of its disappointing ending.
doesn’t sound like he is really gone – plus, you haven’t played the game yet, you can’t be disappointed yet.
The Urban Meyer thing was weird, especially having it happen while I was in Florida. My disappointment occurred when the Gators lost to Alabama, thus losing the SEC Championship and the chance to play for the National Championship.
Yeah, bowling will be expensive this year. I can’t imagine what it takes to actually reserve lanes not knowing how many people will show up, then make sure everybody pays their tabs when they leave.
It’s like herding cats. Even worse, drunk cats.
Funny that Bob didn’t mention who you would be losing to on Friday. Perhaps the same person he’ll be losing to…?
I believe the 127 I bowled at Cooper’s Bday party has me warmed up to leave both of you in the dust (or bowling alley oil, as the case may be) at Cheddarhead.
Looking forward to seeing everyone. Just not looking forward to the drive on Wednesday (and again on Sunday). Can’t you people just move to Raleigh???
Glad to see a decent number of “Goods” for 2009 🙂
Whoa. Barb, I’m glad you said something about checking the website. I was going on the information I heard at Thanksgiving and would have gone to the wrong place. That would have started the year out with an “Ugly.”
$8 per game and $5 for shoe rental seems awfully steep. And with no pitchers of beer being offered why do I believe that hashers will be, um, supplying their own beverages this year?
Check the weather forecast for Friday too (high 40, low 25, and windy), that might scare some folks away.
No mention of the most recent show from Charlotte? Urban Meyer has Tiger Woods’ press agent. Duh.
I’d be talking some trash for Friday, if I had a game.
Looking forward to seeing everyone there. Costs nothing to hang out. And heckling is free!!
-FP
Steve, unfortunately due to the illness of the bass player the Charlotte show left me wanting. It was a little too impromptu and acoustic.