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It’s been another year and although there really aren’t any noticeable differences in the days, this man made milepost always gives one reason and hope to start over.  2009 was a crucible year, it will be interesting to see what comes out of the impurities that were just melted off.

On a macro level, 2009 was a terrible year.  We had the worst recession in a generation, unemployment in California is still above 10%, those still employed live with the Sword of Damocles over their heads, the US is still at war in two theaters and I could go on and on.  All of these things can negatively affect a life and it is naive to believe that simple attitude can make up for the uncertainty when dealing with the lowest level of Maslow’s needs not being met or at risk.  Not everyone has an art or a muse to fall back on, for some people, providing for their family is their muse, take that away, and you have a depressed human being without a purpose.

All that to say, it is times like this when I am so thankful that I do find fulfillment with my God given abilities to create music and I am very thankful that I have friends, family and the resources to enjoy life with those people.  If anything, this economy is forcing people who have the courage to continue to enjoy life without the gratuitous crap to continue to enjoy life without the gratuitous crap.  Because of this, on the micro level, I think this was a very good year.  People need to learn to find the joy in the pain, it’s an attitude thing.  Looking back, some of my fondest and funniest memories were in situations that at the time were quite unpleasant.  If it wasn’t for this economy and a lack of cashflow, I probably would not have been able to, nor would I have chosen to ride my motorcycle up the west coast to Canada staying with friends along the way.  From a practical standpoint, it was the cheapest way to get to see people, but it turned out to be probably the best vacation I have ever had.  If you don’t believe me, read this.

I also finished an album and started showing the courage it takes to succeed.  I am also making great headway on another project that I am excited about.  This is because I lost the comfort of security.  This comfort often leads to apathy, or a willingness to not rock the boat.  Success is scary, but not as scary as absolute failure, and this year took away the security to just avoid failure by floating along while creating the noise like you’re actually doing something.

So what’s ahead?  Well, I will be letting you know in the next few days.  Goal setting is big deal to me, and I don’t take it lightly.  Those who are close to me are aware of year end documents that I call post mortems.  I will be working on it, and I may post some of the less intimate details of one.  Regardless, here is to 2010, may we execute on lessons we learned from a very difficult 2009.