2006: The Year That Happened

Its only in looking back on 2006 that I realize just how much has happened in the last year. I have an unfortunate tendency to forget things that others consider important. It usually takes a concerted mental effort or some sort of cue for me to remember things that aren't either scenes from an anime or the speech from Braveheart. So, let's take a stroll down memory lane to see what made 2006 worth the effort.

The first half of 2006 is still kinda hazy. I can remember what I did for New Year's, but not much after that. I can only assume that life was going along as it had been since mid-2004: uneventful and full of restlessness. I remember going with Arnold and Beth to RoundCon in... March? That was great fun, and my first experience feeling 'at home' among a large group of people who share my interests. Plus, free Pocky and endless anime.

Also around March or April (I hope he'll forgive me my poor memory) was Jeromie's bachelor party. No, I can't remember when he got engaged, so I'm moving on to the next important event. Paintball with slingshots shall remain one of my fondest memories of 2006. I confess to feeling my chest swell with a certain pride to be a part of such an experiment. A test, rather, of those essential masculine skills of draw and aim. A test I pretty much failed, at that. But it was being among men that colors my memory the most. Not just men, but sincere men who took life seriously, which meant that they knew the importance of taking other things less seriously so that you could truly engage life. That day was far too short, if you ask me.

March really was a time for beginnings. It must have been around then that my parents' new house began to take shape; the house they had spent that past year or so planning. It was exciting to watch it go up, but even more exciting to watch them. I don't know how long they had dreamed of building a house in the woods, but it had been simmering in their hearts for some time. There wasn't dancing, or singing, or the kind of celebratory gestures you'd expect. But I knew. By the happy inflection in their voice when they spoke of it or how they'd drive out to visit it everyday and check the progress. For me, young and embarking out to find my dreams, it was touching to see that old ones can still come alive.

Then, that summer, everything changed.

My parents moved into their new house and out of my childhood home. I moved to Charleston. Jeromie married Liz.

This year could (and will, by some) be remembered for the wedding alone. I wouldn't object. I can hardly think of another occasion where so much joy was condensed into a mere weekend. It was the first wedding I was truly glad to have attended. After all, I got to see my best friend wed his true love, and how many times do you get to see that in a lifetime?

Charleston, for its part, has been quite an adventure. There was getting used to a part-time job in the mornings, trying out a failed rooming situation, and learning my bearings in the sometimes overwhelming business world. All while looking for full-time work (stay tuned).

Of course, who can forget DragonCon? Ah, the frantic costume preparation during August that I almost thought I wouldn't be able to pull off at all... It was crazy, expensive, and frustrating at times, but man do I look forward to next year.

So where does that leave me? In a pretty good place, actually. I think I have a grasp on a good career path for me and I'm surrounded by great friends who are themselves making noble strides towards their own goals. I'm feeling more artistic and more enabled than I have in a long time. Its looking good.

In the end, 2006 left me pretty blessed.

No qualification.

No introspection.

I have the uncharted waters of a new year ahead of me, and its time I started making some waves.



Twilight out.


P.S.
Oh, yeah. A picture for everyone of how I spent most of New Years Eve, until Hope saw some fireworks. ;)