2009 Retrospective

I was recently asked to list some of my recent adventures. Forming this list made me realize how great a year 2009 has been for me. As my health has improved, my life has accelerated. I do more in less time. I live more densely. Two years ago, I couldn't have done many these things. I wasn't physically or mentally capable. Most of my college friends wouldn't recognize me now. Alice tells me it's The Saturn Return.

I travelled.

• Drank a two-foot margarita in Las Vegas.
• Drove a lover to Portland by UHaul, and said goodbye.
• Talked to an aspiring artist at 2am on the Starlight Express.
• Spent 30 consecutive days away from home.
• Ate at a pig roast in Upstate New York. Attended my 10-year high school reunion.
• Had my first straight-razor shave and shoe-shine in New York City.
• Drank beer on a Pittsburgh roof during the G20 summit. Watched the helicopters swarm.
• Learned how to read a subway map in Cambridge, MA.
• Spoke broken French in St. Martin. Vous avez des oeufs?
• Swam naked in the Caribbean with a lover.

And saw beautiful things.

• Watched the Santa Cruz Mountains burn.
• Watched the Sooty Shearwater migration from a sunset cruise.
• Sailed under the golden gate bridge.

And visited important American landmarks.

• the world's largest thermometer
• Alien Fresh Jerky
• The Santa Cruz Mystery Spot
• Randy's Donuts
• The Giant Artichoke

I went to shows.

• Phish
• Infected Mushroom
• Nine Inch Nails

And events.

• The Maker Faire
• The Crucible Fire Arts Festival
• The San Mateo County Fair
• Burning Man Decompression

I embraced my inner hippie.

• Hot-tubbed with middle-aged hippies at two nudist retreats.
• Spent a night at a commune in Santa Cruz.
• Partied at an intentional community in Sunnyvale.
• Slept on a cot at the "spirit house" on a mountain in Woodacre. Snuggled by the fire in a yurt.
• Slept in my car at Clear Lake.
• Bought most of my clothes from thrift-stores.

And my inner yuppie.

• Got promoted.
• Had Dinner at Ad Hoc, Millenium, the Melting Pot, and La Fondue.
• Had backstage passes to Wicked at the Orpheum. Touched the props.
• Had VIP tickets to my first Cirque du Soleil show. Felt like a rockstar.
• Had VIP tickets to the Defying Inequality benefit. Gave $1100 to repeal prop 8.

And I celebrated those contradictions.

• Drank Veuve Clicquot with Babybel.
• Drank sparkling wine with trail mix.
• Drank good wine in plastic cups.
• Drank Charles Shaw in glass stemware.
• Wore my blazer with jeans. And looked good.

I drove.

• 24,000 miles.
• Upgraded tires and brakes.
• Did horribly at my first autocross at the Marina airport.
• Practiced on go-karts.
• Did respectably at my first track day at Thunderhill.
• Broke my second windshield at Big Sur.

I took up photography.

• Bought a camera.
• Learned how to use it.
• Bought a flash and gels.
• Learned how to use them.
• Dated a photographer.
• Shot a wedding.

And I enjoyed watersports.

• Windsurfed.
• Kayaked.
• Jet-skiied.
• Parasailed.
• Snorkeled.
• Got peed on.

I improved my health.

• Found good meds for my head.
• Found good meds for my gut.
• Exercised.
• Dieted.
• Lost 30 pounds.

I had many firsts.

• Lit road flares.
• Ate fondue.
• Stopped to pick up roadkill.
• Shot a gun.
• Got kicked off the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.
• Got kicked out of a parking lot for doing donuts.

And I fell in and out of love.

• Repaired the most important friendship in my life.
• Drove a lover to Portland by UHaul, and said goodbye.
• Lost myself in new love for 6 months. Forgot the world. Broke up without tears.
• Lost myself in new love for 6 weeks. Broke my heart. Full-bodied weeping.
• Reconnected with an old flame.