It’s that time of year again. The week between Christmas and New Years has always been one of reflection for me. This week provides the perfect opportunity to dredge through a whole year’s worth of memories, accomplishments, and ideas (made especially easy by browsing the archives of PaulHobson.com) and seeing if any of it can be distilled into something life changing — or at least not boring.

I’ve too much to be thankful for as I’ve been blessed beyond reason, but I’ve cherry picked 10 note worthy elements that shaped the way I lived through 2010.

Heavier Things

1. My Guys, and My Gal, My Dad

Has there been anything better for me in 2010 then communing with and growing with my family? No, no there hasn’t. Without a doubt the time I’ve spent with the babe (Dana) has been wonderful — we just seem to get along a little better every day, unless (of course) I do something stupid — and I would trade my world for time with Logan and Chase. Outside of faith, family is the most important thing — this past year this has been especially true.

My family almost lost my dad this year. An undiagnosed, untreated, underlying medical condition nearly took him out. In fact, if it weren’t for the incredible work of the Rotterdam first responders and later the medical abilities of the Ellis ER team, I’m sure that 2011 would have been my first year without him. It was a tough time for all our family, but he’s home, he’s healthy and he’s taking care of himself. Logan and Chase are happy that their “PaPa” is sticking around.

2. The Worm

But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

But the Lord replied, “Have you any right to be angry?”

Jonah went out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. Then the Lord God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine. But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the vine so that it withered. When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”

But God said to Jonah, “Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?”

“I do,” he said. “I am angry enough to die.”

But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. – Jonah 4:1-10

In many ways, 2010 has been an uphill fight for me. From various doctor visits to mountains of needed medication, to conquering a few personal demons — I feel the devastating trial of cancer starting to creep in, and feel it’s aged me beyond where I should be. This year is the first year I can recall actually feeling old and tired.

And how am I to respond to this? It would be too easy to “let go” — to allow myself to wallow in the bog of despond, feel angry, pity myself, and/or expect pity from others. After all, I was the one who was wronged so early in life by the rest of the universe. Doesn’t this free me from the servitude required by my faith? Paradoxically it doesn’t; because I’ve suffered, now more is expected from me. I’ve been wrestling with these thoughts for a long time — since last winter to be exact. In many respects, I’m still fighting with them, although I’ve come to appreciate the particular thorn in my side and the avenues it’s opened for me.

This is only a half thought and I’m still trying to figure it out. Sometimes it take effort to not to get angry over the absence of health that was never “rightfully” mine to begin with.

3. My Biggest Change

…but it wasn’t all bad news for my health this year.

Later in the year I had some routine blood work done with results that were less than impressive. As it turns out, I was deficient in nearly every vitamin level there was, but in particular my B and D levels. The two levels that can have a direct impact on your energy level and mood. The doctor who ordered the blood work promptly started me on a vitamin regiment and prescribed me some accompanying medication and what a difference it has made!

I didn’t realize how clouded my head was until it got cleared. I’m not exaggerating when I say for the first time in years I feel like I have more focus, more energy, and ambition. It hasn’t complete removed the negative effects mentioned above, but it’s certainly improved my quality of life.

Professionally Speaking

4. Changing Gears At Work

I am so blessed. I love my job, I love what I do. Most morning I’m excited to get to work. I’m such a huge dork, I can’t think of a better way to spend Monday – Friday than being lost in Code and algorithms. Think what you will, but I find the work very rewarding.

This year the NYS DMV has decided that it was going to move it’s primary development language from Coldfusion to .NET. Through their was a fair amount of grumbling taking place in throughout the cubical farm, I was actually cheering on the inside. This meant exactly what I thought it would: More training, more book reading, experimenting with code and looking at existing application with a whole new set of eyes. For a geek like me… that’s sexy — Olivia Munn Sexy.

On The Lighter Side

5. Joining The Rest of the World

I fought it and fought it and fought it, and this year I could fight no more. Dana and I joined the rest of the advanced world and got ourselves a pair of smart phones. It’s funny, maybe a little sad actually, how long we were able to go without these gadgets without missing them, and now that we have them, could never be without again. Curse you technology! You win again!

6. Most Popular Post of 2010

2010 was a great year for my website. Though I felt a spent a fair amount of time neglecting her, my stats this year, both for returning visitors and time spent visiting my site where through the roof. I don’t know what I’m saying that keeps people reading, but I’ll try to keep it up. I’ve really come to appreciate the art of writing, and though I don’t conceder myself a gifted (or sometimes even a good) writer, I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a sense of satisfaction in being read. So, my thanks to you.

The post that drove the most traffic to my website this year, : Kate Beckinsale is Not Nude on My Site. No I don’t, have the words Kate Beckinsale and Nude in the same title confused a few search engines and was responsible for bringing a fair amount of you here where your intent to try and find some naughty pictures. Sneaky on my part? Maybe a little, but as I check my click through rates, I see that many of you would found that page clicked around to see what else I have to say.

A Few of my Favorite Things:

7. Books:

The Favorite: What’s Wrong With The World by G.K. Chesterton

Published in 1929 the book echos across time as if Mr. Chesterton were penning the thoughts about today. This is a book that can’t help but change the way you perceive the world around you. Chesterton understood more about what was coming in the world after his time than most men understand what is happening around them in their own time. Along with his analysis, he also gives grave warning, for his generation, but also ours, that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

The Runner Up: Surprised By Joy by C.S. Lewis.

In the closet account we have to an autobiography of one of the greatest thinkers this world will ever know, Lewis communicates the evidence that lead to his conversion to Christianity. What is note-worthy of the account: Lewis freely admits he didn’t want to be come a Christian, in fact he searched countless hours for an escape from the Scriptures. Every avenue he investigated for a way out in turn only ended up solidifying his belief even more. He goes on to describe himself as quite possible the only man who would be “kick and screaming” his way into heaven.

The Honorable Mention: Lilith by George MacDonald

I don’t normally enjoy novels, and I can’t say I didn’t see the ending coming 3/4 the way through the book, but the old English context of the subject matter made the story enjoyable for me.

8. Movies:

The Favorite: Toy Story 3

Could it be anything else? I’ve been waiting years for this movie, and the last hurrah of Woody, Buzz and the gang didn’t disappoint. Dana and I saw it in the theater — in all it’s glorious 3D — and I don’t mind telling you I was getting choked up at the ending. Since purchasing it on DVD it’s become Logan favorite movie. This means I’ve seen the movie about 700 since seeing it in the theater and that ending still gets me every time. Toy Story 3 is Disney Pixar at the top of their game.

The Runner up: Inception

Is there anyone left that hasn’t seen this movie and can’t understand why it’s worth all the accolades it’s been getting? This movie was just another piece of evidence that Christopher Nolan is blazing the trail to becoming the next great director that will be remembered throughout time.

The Honorable Mention: Salt

I’ll be honest, at first I only wanted to see this movie for two reasons. (1) It was shot on location around where I work. In fact, I drive the roads where that awesome motorcycle chase scene was filmed everyday. (2) Angelina Jolie. If she’s in it, I have to see it. Don’t call it an obsession, call it… OK, you can call it an obsession.

The Other Honorable Mention: Kick-Ass

Kick-Ass caught me so off guard, I’m adding an additional honorable mention stop just to single it out. What I started watching merely in the absence of anything else to watch, turned out to be a very well done hero movie about the every-day-man taking a stand against corruption who teams up with the unjustly wronged man seeking revenge. There were a few shenanigans added to appeal to the “teens” that I could have done without, and the climactic final battle scene turned out to be somewhat of a fizzle, but overall this was a great movie full of (dare I say it?) heart. This was also some of Nicolas Cage’s best work since National Treasure.

But those two points aside, it was actually a very enjoyable spy flick along the lines of the Jason Bourne movies mixed with a bit of the new 007.

9. Music:

The Favorite: David Crowder Band: Church Music

There is a true spirit of worship behind David Crowder’s songs that I don’t sense in most other Christian music. While other artist seem to try and fail to be clever and quirky with watered-down lyrics and a copy-cat sound, DCB seems content to simply exclaim is their music, “God Almighty, None Compare To You!”
The track How He Loves Us, in my mind, will go down in history along side Because He Lives, How Great Thou Art, and Rock of Ages as one of the greatest worship songs ever written.

The Runner Up: The Euro Disney Collection

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I’ve been really enjoying this collection. So much more than I thought I would. The tenacious Techno beats are the perfect compliment to my programming work day, and the Disney themed songs keep my inner-Disney geek happy.

The Honorable Mention: Kevin Max Cotes D’Armor

To be honest, this album was somewhat of a disappointment for me. Not that it’s bad, it’s actually quite good, it’s just that I was hoping for so much more. That being said, Max’s turn into the electronic-industrial sound is perfect to have on in the background while I’m coding away at work.
I know this year I’ve said some not so nice things about his music, and this isn’t because I’ve lost faith in the man — I’m just hoping he can still capture the essence of what made The Imposter so great.

10. Games:

The Champion: Splinter Cell: Conviction

I posted everything I loved about Splinter Cell: Conviction earlier this year, so I don’t need to add any more to what was already said there — but I will anyway. The game is top notch, compelling, and very fun to play online with a friend.

The Runner Up: Alan Wake

Steven King styled narrative meets compelling game play and astounding visuals? I’ll take that any day. I’ve composed my thought on the topic here. Alan Wake Two Please? I really want to keep searching for the lady of the light driven mad by the night.

Honorable Mention Mass Effect 2

It was too good to ignore. You can read why here.

So that’s my quick and dirty review of 2010. If you want to read more, trying combing through the archives. I have a lot of good stuff there.