My Favourite Year

2009 saw me suffer through a reduced work week (and corresponding pay) for eight months,  a hellish schedule in the last four months after the work week got reinstated, and more recently, my office closing the down but me somehow, if only temporarily, retaining my job.  Shit year in that respect, about as shitty as any in my "career".  The recession was mostly to blame, and people suffered much, much worse than me.  But it was shitty for sure.

2009 saw some personal tragedies in my life.  A life was lost, a life of a friend who was way too young, the first time in my life I've ever had a close friend die, which was horrible, just horrible, and I'm only thankful that I never had to go through it before.  It also saw my closest friend suffer through a horrible ordeal of her own and I can only hope that 2010 will bring more luck and happiness than she's had these past few months.  Others close to me have also suffered health problems and had those close to them in the hospital.  So it's been shitty for sure.

2009 saw the Phillies make it all the way to the World Series again, only to lose to the hated Yankees and the 793rd bought-and-paid-for world championship.  It saw the Raiders suck again, which wasn't a surprise, and it saw Syracuse lose three of its best five starters from a Sweet Sixteen team, which seemed to doom them to an 09-10 season of losing.  Yes, as it turns out, Syracuse is incredible without Jonny Flynn and Devo and Harris, but for much of the year I didn't think that would be the case.  So it's been a mixed bag in sports.

2009 saw a year of failed rehab after ACL surgery last November.  A second knee surgery seems to have helped, but not as much as I'd hoped.  I did get to run again, in two 5Ks this fall.  And my ankle injury seems to have nearly healed -- miraculously through the use of simple, $300 orthotics.  But yeah, it's been a mixed bag in my own personal health.

But 2009 had some good things too.  Jackie and Rebecca and Chris and Heather and Harry and Paul and Steve and Michael and Hannah and the rest of the fiction class.   Most of these friends I just met this year, while some I hadn't seen for 20 years but reconnected with.  And meeting this many new people at this point in my life made this a pretty great year.  Of course, I'd be remiss not to count the friends that I've had for years who were there for me in the good times and bad in 2009 -- Tanya and Aaron and Crystal and Karen and Murph (Brew Fest!) and Rob and their families; the Jew crowd (you know who you are); the Circle (overlaps with the Jew crowd); the non-Jews that hang around with the Jew crowd (is that only me and Todd?); the poker crowd (overlaps with the three previous crowds); the softball team (ditto) -- actually, not sure I want to consider softball, or poker, as "good things", but 'tis the season;  plus, my now former co-workers who kept my spirits high by commiserating with me over our failed former workplace.  And of course, my family, including Zach, Jordan, and Shane, the older two of whom got to swim in the same meet as Michael Phelps two weeks ago (!) 

I'm sure I'm missing people.  If I am, I'm sorry, but you know, step it up in 2010 and you'll make that list.  So 2009 has been a great year.  I don't know what 2010 has in store, but it'll be a hard act to follow. 

And last but not least, there are my readers.  New, old, good, bad, those who know me personally and those who do not.  Those who just come for the free music and those that stay to read.  My fellow Spencer worshipers Wayne and Kelly and everyone else.  Thank you.  You've made this year great as well and kept his blog alive when I never had time to do any writing for it this fall.  Oh, and while I'm thanking people for this year, I can't leave out Spencer himself, who gave me two of the best concerts I've ever seen, plus a good album or three.  And his good buddy Mr. Bejar.  For this song. 

• Download Destroyer - "My Favourite Year".mp3

It was a good year

It was a very good year

And now it's gone

You say the whole point of everything's the moving on

And I can't help but feel somewhat opposed to this

My shit has been torched by fascists,

Or in some small way, we're all traitors to our own kind

Comments

[Wayne]

Happy new year to you Bill; hope 2010 looks upon you brightly!
Looking forward to seeing you at Pavement next year!

[Bill]

Thanks Wayne, happy new year to you too and yes Pavement will be incredible!

[Kelly]

I love that Destroyer song! 2009 has been a mixed bag for me too. It is cool to look back not only on this past year but the decade too. I think 2007 was my favorite year of the decade as we were introduced to Random Spirit Lover and my discovery of indie music was in full swing. It was good on a personal level too. This year saw the death of my blog but who knows maybe I will bring it back in a limited capacity.

I was surprised to see Dragonslayer as your #1 album. ;) Glad to see you warmed up to the Antler's Hospice though. Anyways, have a Happy New Years Bill and here is to 2010!!!

[Bill]

I hope your blog comes back to life too, Kelly, but believe me I know it's hard to find time to do it. Yes, I did end up loving Hospice, and I agree about 2007, music-wise at least.

Happy 2010 to you too.