2015 Highlights – The Insert you didn’t get…
Proving my penchant for hypocrisy, here are some “insert worthy” highlights from 2015 from my personal and professional life.
The Arts
I’m nuts about the soundtrack to the play “Hamilton.” Hamilton is a backbreaking work of genius and the most buzzed-about musical since Les Miserables. The play’s author, Lin-Manuel Miranda, has a MacArthur “genius” grant to prove it. The Stalkers will be seeing the play on Broadway in March. Until then, repeated spins of the soundtrack clearly show why there is such a fuss about a musical based on the life of founding father Alexander Hamilton.
I am also ecstatic about the Bluetooth Audio System I bought for my wife’s birthday. The Peachtree Audio DeepBlue 2 delivers audiophile sound in a relatively small package. Forget about headphones, and listen to music the way it was meant to be heard – through prominent speakers!
Finally, I love the domesticity of watching TV with Annette and Riley. This year we converted Riley’s “game room” to a “home theater” room. Great idea, as we are watching some of the best shows ever made in this continued TV/cable renaissance. This year we loved The Jinx (HBO), Making a Murderer (Netflix), Peaky Blinders (Netflix), Bosch (Amazon), and Strike Back (Cinemax), to name a few. Also, we cannot overstate the greatness of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO).
Professional
I am so happy about my wife’s business! After seven years working for one of the best forensic accounting firms in the area, Annette ditched the 10 hours of weekly commuting and hung out her shingle two years ago. Starting slow, Annette has become, through word-of-mouth, quite busy. So proud of this woman as a businessperson and mother. I get to call her my wife!
After bouncing around a bit over the past couple of years, I think I found a home with my employer, CEB. Great product, great customers, and excellent, whip-smart coworkers. I am looking forward to a great year and more with CEB.
Grammarly and Lynda.com – Two “go-to” tools that support my work life.
Personal
Excited about working out again with greater frequency and intensity than I have in the past decade. I have exercised my entire life but had allowed the demands of work and parenting to offer an excuse for “letting myself go.” Shockingly, I had found myself in that most vicious circle that comes from a lack of regular vigorous exercise – poor diet, less energy, and no mojo.
Thanks to a friend, I started walking every day this past summer. That was the first step – pause, rimshot – in getting back on track physically, eventually adding weight training.
Along these lines, I am also excited about sleeping 7+ hours every night. All that exercise makes me tired, so it’s easier to fall asleep every night, getting the sleep my body needs. The right amount of sleep makes one more attentive and creative while getting fewer colds. Sleep (recovery) and exercise are two sides of the same coin.
I can’t say enough about our beautiful son Riley. Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and 5 minutes of open mic action at the Comedy Spot in Sacramento. That is some range! What a joy!
Finally, I am utterly thrilled with the life I get to lead. I am so fortunate to be still going and remaining curious and enthusiastic about every day. As one of my friends likes to say, “your cup, truly, runneth over!”
He is correct, and that is all because of YOU! So, thank you to all that I’ve been able to connect with this past year. My life couldn’t have happened without you.
Here is to the most joyous 2016 for all of you!