So It’s 2009…

Well, it's 2009 and it doesn't seem all that different from 2008 — or even 2007, for that matter. Nevertheless, last year was a good one — mostly.

For the geek in me, after a couple of years of waiting, I finally bought the Mac Pro Tower I always wanted: the top of the line 3.2GHz Quad Core with an 8800 GT 512MB video card, 1TB of internal storage, and 16GB of RAM. That was a nice treat, and something that's already paid for itself twice over.

The musician in me also bought the guitar I've always wanted: my Gretsch G6196T Country Club in Cadillac Green. Pure honey. Oh, sweet Moses, I love this guitar.

The entrepreneur in me started RAILhead Effects: my own line of custom guitar effects. RHFX has been awesome on all kinds of levels, and I cant to see what 2009 brings us!

The philanthropist in me fell in love with the children of Kenya, and this brought about the birth of Charity4, my "vehicle of advocacy." 2009 holds BIG plans, so stay tuned for that!

The son in me came under stress, as we found out Dad has cancer. The last half of 2008 has revolved around getting him better, and the battle is still being fought — and we are all hopeful and confident we will see victory. However, it's been rough seeing Dad get sick and to watch him be so uncomfortable. I hate seeing him feel bad, and I hate that he's going through this — but I love how it's brought our already crazy-close family even closer together.

The employee in me resigned from my position at my Dad's old company so that I could be available to help Dad and Mom with all manner of things. That was odd: being 35 and resigning from a really, really great job. Thankfully, my parents have a few other small business, and I was able to be hired to work as a sort of Financial Manager for one of their partnerships. We're still getting things rolling, but once everything is moving, I have a feeling this will be one of the busiest jobs I've ever had (next to working for UPS, of course).

The husband in me spent another wonderful year with my best friend at my side — for 11 years, and counting.

The photographer in me scored loads of great jobs, clients, magazine prints, book publish shots, web content exclusives, contest wins, etc., etc. I haven't been shooting as much over the last several months (for obvious reasons), but 2008 was my best year ever.

So, looking back, 2008 was great — but it had its share of bad with Dad getting sick. 2009 looks promising on all fronts, and I can't wait to see what Life will throw at our family — and how we will deal with it as a unit. I'm looking forward to my first International travel and mission trip to Kenya, where I'll get to see some of the wonderful children I've fallen in love with. I can't wait for what lies ahead for Charty4 and RAILhead Effects. I can't wait for my Dad to be cured of cancer. I can't wait to see what God will do, and how He will move. The fortune I got in a fortune cookie a few weeks ago sums it up best: