Thoughts About 2009 [w/ Video]

I’m not going to drag on like a holiday newsletter, I’m just going to keep my thoughts short, sweet and summed up.

All things considered, 2009 was a great year. Dana and I became parents for a second time. Chase David Hobson was born on November 30th and has brought with him enough joy, inspiration and love to share with his parents and brother. We got to go down to Disney World for a week in September. Walking around “The World” with a pregnant wife certainly was interesting, but my Mom and Aunt where along for the ride to help out. Though it was exhausting, a good time was had by all. My yearly PET scan checkup in October came back clean, signifying three years of cancer free living. In between these events where times of trial, testing, laughter and excitement… and all these times were just from Logan.

Goals for 2010:

Give until it hurts. When CS Lewis wrote on the topic of giving charity to those in need, he attempted to answer the question “How much should one give?” His answer was simple and profound. He stated that if the charity of the Christian is not causing at least a minor disturbance in his life, he’s not giving enough. That is to say, the giving needs to hurt a little, or at the very least cause some discomfort. I like this answer and it convicts me because I know that I don’t give enough of my time, energy and money to people and causes that need and deserve it.

Make a BBQ sauce. I really love the flavor of certain BBQ sauce’s and have often commented how I would love to have aspect A of sauce 1, but aspect B of sauce 2 together. Well, I think this spring/summer I’m going to try my hand at creating that perfect sauce. I’ve also really come to love grilling, so I should have plenty of opportunities to try my saucy concoctions out.

Read read read. With two little people living in my house, time is becoming an increasingly rare commodity. Not since Chase was born have I have an uninterrupted hour, that I didn’t want to spend sleeping, to expand my mind by immersing myself in a book. That being said, for 2010 I’d like to try and keep my goal obtainable and try to tackle at least a book a month.

Keep the heat on America’s elected officials. Ronald Regan once said:

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”

I do not like the direction this country is headed (and I’m not alone) and it is up to “We The People” to take a stand and bring about change. I look into the eyes of my sons and I wonder if they are going to get to grow up in the same America that I did. I’m willing to fight for this goal. Even if it isn’t obtained, I want to be able to look them in the eye and let them know I did everything I could to preserve our way of life.

Get things done. I’m going to continue working on my bucket list. Early this year I’m planning on updating and revising it. Then the rest of the year I’m going to focus on taking things off of it.

You’re the same today as you’ll be in five years except for the people you meet and the books you read. – Charlie Jones

The Year End Interview

What surprised you the most in 2009?
This would have to be Logan. At the beginning of the year he was barely mobile and understood very little. Now he’s RUNNING around the house, talking to us and can even help pick up after himself. These little people grow so fast and I’ve been very surprised to see just what he’s capable of. I’m looking forward to watching the same developments with Chase.

What lessons did you learn in 2009?
Routine and structure are your friends. I used to think that they were the first visible signs that a person was trading youth for age. Now that I’m getting older and I’ve been the daddy of a very busy little boy, I understand that they are the first line of defense against the insanity that life can bring you. I find great comfort in my routines and daily structure.

What was your favorite movie you saw in 2009?
I watched a lot of movies this past year. A lot. It was a really good year for movies too. This question would have to be a toss up. The Sci-fi guy in my absolutely loved JJ Abram’s take on Star Trek. I could watch it over and over again. However the movie critic in me says that Inglorious Bastards was the most entertaining movie that I’ve watched, not just in 2009, but in a long, long time. Mary and Max is a worth-while honorable mention.

What was your favorite music of 2009?
I haven’t really been listening to any one type of music specifically. I have been playing through John Mayer’s Battle Studies like it’s going out of style, but it’s been a slow year in music for me.

Favorite Book?
The Great Divorce by CS Lewis. What a fantastic book. I have never read anything before that so seamlessly intertwined the good and bad aspects of human nature with the questions of salvation, damnation, and morality. This book changed my life.

Favorite Game?
I played through quite a few games this year, but if I had to pick one it would be Batman: Arkham Asylum. I’ve been waiting my whole life for just a decent Batman game, and this one knocks it out of the park. Some honorable mentions would be: Fallout 3, Ghostbusters, and Spectral Force 3.

2009: Year of the Hobson boys

But who am I kidding? 2009 has really been about me being a father and watching Logan and Chase grow. I’ve collected a couple of my favorite images I’ve taken throughout the year, and because I love doing it, made a video of them set to music…