My Top Ten of 2009

It’s easy to live your daily life, without consideration of the accomplishments, struggles, and hurdles overcome in the past year. Mine are listed below, typed before the new year actually arrived, but alas, just now posted. If you're interested, my life is laid before you...

10. Welcoming a new nephew to the family
Carson Everhart was welcomed to the family this past April, my sister’s second son. Of course, that wouldn’t be the only family member added this year.

9. Another year of SugarSmaX gigging, frat gigs, etc.
The band continued to gig at more quality locations, and to do so consistently. We’ve now had year-long monthly engagements at two clubs, Fifty One in Pineville and Caveman’s in Mint Hill. Here’s to another year of gigs, more fans and more money!

8. Successfully helming the Disney event
At my day job (which will remain unnamed) I was put in charge of an event that grew beyond what I originally expected. Having started that job less than a year earlier (when planning began), it was not something that was going to be particularly easy. However, the museum staff are grizzled veterans at big events and made it all a success. I got some credit and was proud of how I performed.

7. Buying a new car
It’s not that Nicole and I bought the greatest, nicest car ever seen. It’s not even particularly notable, a decade old Nissan Altima. However, it did make me a happy man that when we needed to purchase a car, we found the money to do it, and the wherewithal to hold out until we found a quality car for a great price.

6. Recording for the SugarSmaX album
This will hopefully be my number one choice next year. Most of the rhythm guitar parts are recorded for what promises to be some very good music. With vocals scheduled to be added over the coming months, we should have a really cool musical document of these four people and possibly a product that people will be willing to spend some of the hard earned money to have.

5. Becoming closer to a number of friends
Nicole and I were able to strengthen some relationships this year, particularly with people we’ve come to know through SugarSmaX. Those relationships have become more important, especially as we Shelby’s birth approached. We really appreciated that support, which means more than we’ve said. And for that, shame on us.

4. Songwriting
I feel like I’ve been able to write songs that I will be proud of for the rest of my life. This is truly the first time I’ve been able to say that, and thanks of course goes to Mick and Karen for being in a position to want to record, and to want to hear what I have to say, lyrically and musically. While some of these songs have been built from the ground up, the one I’m most proud of is a true team effort. Mick wrote the music, I wrote the lyrics, and Karen applied incredible vocals and harmonies to bring those words to life. I can't wait for everyone to hear it.

3. Rochester trip/wedding
Nicole and I took our first week long vacation/trip since our first anniversary. At first, traveling to Rochester to celebrate my cousin’s wedding felt a little like an obligation. I’m so very thankful, however, that we had that reason forcing us to take to the highway. We had a really good time seeing and staying with Marty, while Melissa’s wedding was a spectacular occasion.

2. Preparing the house for a new addition
There was a fairly large task undertaken this year to prepare the house for a very big change. Nicole and I had to take a room that has been the “forgotten items wasteland” and make that room ready to serve the purpose for which it was always intended. Preparing the nursery impacted every other room in the house in one way or another and took an enormous amount of time. Again, I have to thank Mick, as well as Jason, for their help in getting the room painted. Helping hands are always, always appreciated.

1. Shelby
Nicole and I welcomed our daughter into this world December 15th, 2009. There’s a far longer piece of writing that deals with my feelings on the birth of Shelby, so I’ll let that piece speak for itself. Suffice it to say, there was no greater gift that we could have received. Thanks to all those who contributed in so many different ways – through baby showers and gifts and support and advice and jokes and a million other things.

Thanks for walking with...