time off is nice
January 7th, 2010I took off the full week between Christmas and New Year’s for the first time in past three years which turned out to be very pleasant. Of course I didn’t get as much done as I’d hoped, and there was enough insanity in the extended family that our marriage and family therapist actually wrote me a prescription for “a stiff drink.”
I shit you not.
Anyway, not working turns out to be nicer that working. Even if I didn’t end up riding my bike as much as I’d hoped (family, weather, desire to avoid the trainer, and copious “meh”) I still got some good stuff done around the house and on Gus. The new dash was installed, and the rear suspension mostly disassembled while I wait for a few lingering parts. Unfortunately removing the self-leveling suspension components created a hydraulic fluid nightmare on the garage floor I’ve yet to broach. With the car work at an impasse, the weather iffy, and family drama, it was good to spend time with Leah in amounts we’re normally unable to find. That was very nice. It also left time for introspection and a review of the past year.
In talking with others it seems that 2009, by near-unanimous vote, blew. I couldn’t agree more. I rode less, raced poorly, gained twenty pounds, and incessantly bitched about my inability to keep things in balance. The economic poop left jobs uncertain, only compounded by Leah leaving Quest and churchplanting. Neither side of our family fared well. There was far too much death and despair.
On the other hand, there was awesomeness. Four of our favorite couples were married. Aaron and Anna visited the northwest. The house didn’t catch fire. The cars (mostly) worked. We still have jobs. The church plant is being planted. I’m playing around with cameras.
Life as always had a mixture of good and bad, but I’m hoping for 2010 that mixture will favor good.
Blessings in the new year.
