It certainly gives me pause. That is all.

Bearing in mind that it is all in the past and thus not worth too much nitpicking and analysis, I nonetheless pause to reflect on the path that has led me to today: January 2, 2010.
After a few tries at writing the next lines, it became clear to me that I left out a couple of large line items in the list above. That’s okay. I left them out on purpose. I feel they do not in any way define me nor have they had enough of an effect to consider worthy of any greater note than this quick tidbit. So let’s move along, shall we? Good.

I could be long-winded and write many pages of useless drivel about how I’ve changed since 2000 and what each year meant to me, but I won’t. The important part is that God has been with me throughout, and I’m where I’m supposed to be. Whatever brought me to this place, however life-changing or mundane, I’m grateful for. No matter what it was, whether painful or glorious, today is what’s important. I get to live in the most beautiful place in the world and have amazing friends. I have a roof over my head and money to pay the bills. I have a growing relationship with almighty God and am striving to make the most of the time He’s given me to roam this earth.

So then, what am I resolving to do or not do in 2010? I will increase my reading of books that have redeeming value. I will spend more time thinking things all the way through before I act. Beyond that, there isn’t much I believe warrants change.

Happy New Year (and new decade), everyone!

Videos on Youtube!

My body clock has become somewhat of a nuisance lately, and the following morning was no exception. I was awakened from my oh so comfortable sofa-slumber at 5:55AM and dozed off and on until 7. Garren and Jayne’s two chickens tried (and partially succeeded) to wake us all up before they were quickly and quietly relocated outside. By 8:30 most of the crew were up and at ‘em. The Hartman’s are no slouches at hosting get-togethers, and the morning’s breakfast spread proved them excellent hosts indeed. After taking on a couple pounds each, we set about preparing for the lake day’s events. Vicki began painting signs for the would-be attendees arriving by car and foot while Garren, Eric, and I put up the Veritas sign and frequently rearranged the boats to prevent shoreline collisions. We managed to kill a battery attempting to start one of the boats and had to some quick swapping and charging to get things on track again.

The signage complete, it was now time to nail each of them up to the trees off of the Glacier Camp turnoff from Hwy 93. An unfortunate thing happened then. Eric and Alyson’s beloved Dodge Caliber, parked in the driveway, experienced a sudden disintegration of the rear windshield. This was not, in fact, caused by fairies or any otherworldly creature. As it happened, the signage (made from plywood, mind you) had been placed in such a way that a corner of the wood was protruding out of the trunk; when the trunk door was closed with some oomph, only the rear windshield made contact with the wood and therefore promptly exploded. A task force quickly mobilized to quell this uprising of glass and grief, and soon enough the Hartman’s driveway was once again a haven for all things barefoot. I grabbed the signs and hopped in Caleb’s SUV with Josh to get things done. After a couple hiccups and re-contrasting with a brown sharpie, all was well and the first guests meandered in.

The rest of the day was a blur. Barbecued food, boats pulling people on inner tubes, bonfires, worship, white elephant gift exchange (Note: not a white gift elephant exchange. There’s a difference.), not-quite-a-twinkie eating contest, wakeboarding attempts, and stupid dive tricks were just some of the goings on that day. Overall, total success. It wasn’t perfect, but nothing is or ever will be. I thoroughly enjoyed getting the opportunity to be with everyone and just enjoy our time out there. I hope that sentiment ruled the day amongst my cohorts as well.

As I wind down tonight, reflecting on today’s passage of events, I’m happy. As of this morning, my car is now officially paid off, my parents have completed another year of marriage to make it 31 years now, I made online payments for several bills, and traveled to and swam at Foys Lake twice this afternoon. Then I had some good barbecued chicken and burgers tonight after a good portion of Arrested Development. Kung Fu Hustle made an appearance on our TV with some friends and a quick run through the sprinklers in the front yard as our guests were leaving was the icing on the cake.

I wish I had more things to write about that I felt would be properly understood. Not that a bunch of people read my blog or anything, because I’m sure that’s not the case. Writing recaps of the last week’s events is fun and will hold great nostalgia value someday, but it’s not a complete picture. There are simply a few subjects I’m loath to broach in front of potentially the entire internet-enabled world.

Tense conversations ruled the airwaves between my parents and me for a couple months because I was keeping a horrible, dirty secret from them; I was planning to surprise my mom for her 50th birthday by flying out to L.A. and didn’t want to give it away (plus I hated flat out lying to them). An elaborate web of deceit and misdirection confused my poor mother  before the glory was revealed. Originally she believed that she was simply going to spend a weekend away with my dad alone at some beach cottages in San Diego. In reality, the whole side of my dad’s family plus my siblings and I would be there. The basic outline for the plan was this:
Step 1. Tell family I can’t get vacation  until June.
Step 2. I fly in a few days before mom’s birthday at the end of April. Only my sister knows.
Step 3. I show up unannounced at the birthday dinner at Bossa Nova to surprise mom with flowers.
Step 4. I lie to mom again by telling her that I’m only in town for that night and have to fly back the next day.
Step 5. Surprise her again when the family meets up with her in San Diego for the weekend. (She thought it was only going to be herself and my dad there).
Step 6. Profit.
The outcome was utter success in every sense possible. My family was delighted to see me and I them…in fact, it was one of the best times we’ve had together as a family that I can remember. God definitely blessed the trip and I’m very thankful for the time I had with my mother.

Since I was in So Cal for 10 days, I had oodles of time to spend with friends as well. Sean and Sheena were kind enough to open their home and allowed me to stay with them most of the time I was in Los Angeles. It was as if I’d never left last year…we all got along crazily like old times Wii sports and WarioWare concluded nearly every night I slept over. Our mutual friend from Hawaii, Kevin, was in town (we kinda planned it this way) so we invited him over for some extra good times. A post-modern Family Dinner night took place on the first Wednesday of the trip, filled with old and new friends, food, jenga, and twister. I was a little surprised by my own reaction to some of the people/situations I hadn’t seen/been in for awhile, but I think it’s simply part of growing up. Becoming more tolerant of some things and less tolerant of others, finding myself – blah blah blah. I still love everyone that I did before I left in 2008. I just know that some friendships have already sailed, and that’s okay. Getting to concentrate on spending time with people I cared about most was a good thing. I’ll probably blog about this more later on, but for now I’m very content and satisfied with how the trip went overall, and I don’t think I’d change a thing.

In other news, here we are in the middle of May, and there was freezing rain today as I made the 5-minute drive to Costco. What the heck?

Taking a few moments to soak it in, we unpacked our gear and food and strapped on some XC skis. It being my first time, I was a little wobbly at first but I was near the front of the pack in no time. Sidenote: cross-country skiing is really, really fun. It’s a great workout and our particular location afforded us prime views of the river and surrounding valley. 
Several miles each way and a few protein bars later, we were back at the cabin, relaxing and beginning to cook our feast of a dinner. Homemade chili, garlic shrimp, and split pea soup headlined the meal with a variety of other snacks and victuals available. Fortunately, though there was no electricity at Schnaus cabin, there were gas lamps which enabled us to play a few rounds of Scattergories. An impromptu drum circle session ensued, with an assortment of cowbells being the main attraction. Thanks, Christopher Walken.
A somewhat sleepless night with several pitch-black trips to the outhouse to empty my bladder resulted in a surprisingly easy morning wake-up. Once again donning the skis, this time we got back on North Fork road and headed further north, finally parking at the end of the line at Trail Creek Rd. Warmer weather and more level ground slowed us down compared to the previous day, but it was a welcome change of pace and allowed more time to take in the gorgeous surroundings. All too soon, it was time to head back to town…
A return visit to Schnaus cabin is in my future, this I know.

More about the trip later!

1. Affords one the opportunity to become proficient at duct taping cardboard together over one’s windows. I’m serious. I have that ish down.
2. Save money on a health club membership by turning the empty office building into my own personal gym during break time; namely, the stairs. Lots of them. Repeatedly.
3. Having a 4 day on 3 day off schedule is underrated. I mean, who doesn’t want to stay up 3 nights in a row all by themselves doing nothing?! It’s a no-brainer. (Note: sarcasm. I must say, however, that it makes for good reading time.)
4. Makes for interesting conversation with grocery store employees while shopping at night. Though I’m pretty sure at least one of them thinks I’m doing meth.
5. This is a silly list but in the end, attitude determines altitude and regardless of what shift I’m working, being happy and content is more important.

Proper perspective reveals that it’s really not what happens to us that dictates our level of happiness, it’s how we react to and treat these events and circumstances. I may not have the dream schedule I desire, but I also realize that there is a season for everything, and if this one gives me the chance to gain a better perspective and find a deeper, more meaningful existence then I’m all for it.