The end of a year and a decade...

Is it just me, or does it seem like it was just months ago we were getting all bent out of shape, or at least some of us doomsdayers were, about the impending devastation of Y2K? How can it already be a decade since that letdown occurred?

With that I say a fond farewell to the year that almost was (I wrote this early Dec. 31)...2009. I must say right off the bat it will always be somewhat memorable for me because it was the year I finally launched myself into the BlogO'Sphere and from a creative standpoint it's been a godsend. Without it my mind would be brimming with useless thoughts and ideas, so instead it's all out here in the open for you to revel in its uselessness.

But as I look back, nothing too exciting happened to cause any alarm.

I don't know what it is about odd number years, but they always seem to be kind of ... blah. Give me a nice round number and I'm fine. I was born in an even-numbered year (1966), graduated from high school in a year evenly divisible by two (1984), got married in one as well (1996) and had my first (1998) and second (2000) children were on the level numbered years. The only thing keeping me from completing the Even Numbered Pick Six was my little guy Shea coming into this world in the year that was 2003. Might explain why he's seems a little bit odd...that's just a joke, relax.

Anyway, 2009 was kind of a year where the Hildebrandt household held steady. We didn't move, didn't gain or lose any immediate family members, didn't buy a new vehicle, again didn't buy a new computer for what seems like an eternity, and so on. I was able to maintain a weekly meeting (vacation time withstanding) schedule with my coffee peeps, which kicks ass and takes names. We also took a memorable family trip to Florida, so that's something to hang our sun hats on.

Besides this blog, one thing I'll also remember is it will always be the year of trying to reclaim my youth, or at least my early-to-mid-30s. I began an exercise kick in August and for the most part kept at it through the end of the year or until Snowzilla hurled mounds of white stuff as far as the eyes could see blocking my walking path. Teresa and I countered with a purchase of a treadmill for Christmas, 'cause it's the gift that keeps on giving ... provided you're willing to work at it.

What I'll also remember is that I really didn't enter the year with any high hopes or expectations because 2009 kind of snuck on me. In all, I'd probably give 2009 as a whole a C+ grade and with perhaps a little extra credit between now and when the clock strikes midnight in less than 23 hours it could move up to a B-.

Anyway, so long 2009. It feels like I hardly got to know you. Here's hoping the new year brings along much enjoyment and prosperity and may this blog continue to provide me with a outlet so as not to clog up the creative pipes and cause it to rupture somewhere along the way and spill out all over the place.

See you in 2010.