2005

If you had told me a year ago that 2005 was going to be one of my finest years I probably would have belittled you. 2005 did not start out well, and it wasn't until a much-needed attitude adjustment a couple of months in that things started to pick up, and for some reason just got better and better. When I say 2005 was a fine year, I'm speaking only for my little world. I realize that on the national and global scale many sucky and horrible events occurred. But, within my own little bubble, things were quite fine. Here a short list of reasons why:

1. Katie Kate infiltrated our little circle of friends several months ago, and we got to be good friends over the summer. However, it wasn't until September 11, at a Lyle Lovett concert, that we actually got to spend time alone together. Since I move at the speed of evolution when it comes to dating, our official first date wasn't until October 1 (I really don't want to celebrate anything on 9/11), and things have been fantastic since. You could break out some pancakes and I could get really syrupy here with a long list of things I love about her, but I'll just say that when I'm with her life is better than it is when she isn't around.

2. Family and friends Though the fam's 3 to 4 hours away I always look forward to my trips up there, especially to see the kids, who grow impossibly cuter with each visit. I am also amazed with the circle of friends that I have, one that reaches literally from coast to coast. Having self-diagnosed borderline anti-social disorder (I enjoy solo roadtrips to Colorado and other far-off places), the fact that I have many wonderful close friends is a constant source of astonishment and delight.

3. Travelmania The few loyal readers of this blog would know that one of the things I enjoy most is to travel. I've always been a bit extreme on this front but last year saw trips to Guatemala, Italy, Colorado, Texas, New York City, New England, and California. Much closer to home I discovered beautiful places like Savage Gulf, Foster Falls, and the Virgin Gulf Wilderness. A vacation day at home is a vacation day wasted.

4. Home ownership After many many years of throwing money away to somebody else I now throw it away to a bank. However, technically the place is mine. I've been in the new condo for nearly five months now and haven't regretted a day yet. If only we could do something about the crack houses in the next block, but there is something to be said for convenience.

5. Best concert year ever This one is pretty indisputable. I haven't had the opportunity to see so many good live shows in a single year: Patty Griffin, Coldplay, Guster, Lyle Lovett, Dave Matthews Band, Keane, and U2, plus a couple of Bluebirds and Mercy Lounges. Actually, to cheat a bit, 2006 is getting off to a good start too with Patty Griffin and Emmylou Harris at the Ryman, and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones with the Nashville Symphony (thanks, Kate).

6. Star Wars and King Kong Stay with me on this one. The Star Wars series (the three original good ones) were one of the pop culture cornerstones of my childhood, and any chance to revisit a joy of childhood shouldn't be missed. The fact that Revenge of the Sith tied everything into the original series, and that it didn't blow nearly as much as The Phantom Menace or Attack of the Clones made it even better.
Watching King Kong was a little like seeing the original Star Wars or Raiders of the Lost Ark for the first time as a kid. It is rare for a new movie to evoke an almost childlike since of wonder, but this one did, with scenes that were exhilarating (the brontosaurus stampede), hugely creepy (death by meat-slug), and even heartbreaking (the long, silent shot of Kong's fall off the Empire State Building).

So hooray for 2005. May God bless everyone in 2006.