2010 - The Year in Review

This is my Year in Review post. I try to do this every year (even if I don't post them publicly) just so that I can kinda review things in my life at take a serious look at the State of the mrlich . While it's not always a comfortable look, it helps to see things in perspective which I have a real problem with in my day-to-day life. I tend to look at the 'here and now' and believe that it's always been this way, and it always will be this way.

Also? This is going to be long. I will be writing a tl;dr version shortly. Stay tuned.

A word about links: some of the things that I link to in this post might not work for you. Please don't be offended. As some of these topics are very personal, I may have sub sections and linked posts locked down. It's not something that you should feel badly about - I'm kinda paranoid. Everything that you need to know is here in this post. The links are details.

Also - if I don't expound on something, and you're curious, feel free to ask any questions. I'll likely answer. ;)

January:

11th : LJ Post : 2009 Year in Review ( http://mrlich.livejournal.com/295012.html )
13th - 14th : Worked on IronBridge Website
This was pretty big for me. The Iron Bridge Agency's website was (more or less) my first professional website build. It meant that I was 'for real'. It wasn't long after that Matt-Works was born. It felt good.
28th : Lichenapper cineplex - The Black Hole
This was the first Lichenapper Cineplex Night, and it rocked. Yes, the movie was cheezy in some ways. I still loved Maximillian and the double ended laser guns, and Vincent, and... oh hell - I still love that whole damn movie. I think that the fact that I even still like the movie says something about its staying power. Also? I want to do more Lichenapper Cinema Nights. It's fun watching movies on my wall with friends like that.

February:

19th : NMP : Feytroll Art / Video Post ( http://nevermetpress.com/the-feytroll-now-with-video/ )
I was getting the hang of creating video. I'm still getting better, but this was pretty much the first time that I felt comfortable showing the world my efforts. NMP has been very good for me in that sense. I feel like it's made me step up my illustrative game and given me a ready audience with some feedback. My only complaint is that (as has always been for me) I still feel like I'm not getting enough feedback after I put work out there. If any of you know of a great way to get constructive criticisms on your work, please let me know!
28th : Arkham Gaming at S & H's
I haven't played many new board games in recent history, so this was a treat. What's more, I really loved the game. How much did I love the game? I started having dreams about it. Add this to the 'need to do more in 2011' list.
28th : Bobby McFerrin @ Zoellner Arts
I haven't seen or heard many people in my life who have the level of natural skill and talent that I experienced that night. Bobby is clearly a person who feels music on another level. Some of us have a pulse. Bobby has a beat. The man was amazing in so many ways - not the least of which was his comfort with interacting with the crowd. Like most people would chat with an old friend, Bobby did a dance that brought us along with him, sometimes taking direction from us, and sometimes guiding us like a seasoned instructor. It was a Beautiful Event. The fact that xtingu  was able to go up on stage and work with him? Icing on the cake - the delicious and perfectly moist cake.

March:

18th : Build Trust in a Connected World Summit @ Theater N
This was the first time I attended something like this and I liked the experience. Not that it was anything life changing, but it was good information, and (as one would expect) I felt motivated to work on my social media networking skillz when I left the place. The fact that I was able to spend a day away from the office didn't really hurt either. :)
23rd : LJ Post : Arts Promotion ( locked down to a small group : http://mrlich.livejournal.com/298789.html )
25th : Promotion Brainstorming with Joe and Kevin
I would like to do more of this sort of thing. I want to meet more with groups and individuals who want to promote the arts. All different kinds of arts. I find it fascinating to hear about the different needs people have when it comes to promotion. I have a feeling that the entrepreneur in me might one day have an 'a ha!' moment in this regard.
27th : S's Wear What Makes You Happy party
I love hanging with my peeps, but they won't let me wear them.

April:

3rd : JD & PhilaDel @ the dog park
It makes me immensely happy to see that dog happy and playing. Add other dogs and water? There's just a whole lot of win here.
3rd : Kevin's for fire and BBQ
Mmmm... fire.
17th - 22nd : Cruise / Florida Keys
My first cruise. My first trip to the Florida Keys. Both were awesome. I jumped off a cliff in the middle of nowhere Jamaica.
 (click to watch the video - thanks to Jack for manning the camera)
I laid back and enjoyed the open air by a pool enough to cause even my stress level to lower to manageable levels. (See user icon.) Jill played with chickens. We both 'swam' (read as: stood on a platform with my feet in the water) and played with dolphins.
 (click for larger size)
27th : Dragonbones Post : Character Portrait Commission ( http://dragonbones.net/2010/04/26/a-character-portrait-commission-and-recent-sketchwork/ )

May:

11th : Dental Work
Yay for sedation dentistry. That is all I have to say on the matter.
13th : Ignite Wilmington 3 - @ BCUS
I love the whole Ignite series. The fact that the Archer Group has one off the ground and moving in Wilmington goes a long way (in my opinion) towards picking up this little 'city that could' and getting it on the road to becoming something more than 'that place with all the banks and DuPont'. I was really happy to be able to provide a location to IW#4, and hope to be able to do that again in the future.
25th - 31st : Flipside
We did Flipside this year. xtingu  has been before, but this was another first for me. Of course, all of her people there made me feel instantly at home, and I had the advantage of meeting a number of them before at drjohn  and leporidae's wedding. It was a very different feel than the Playa to me. It was more intimate. More basic. The fact that it was nestled into the woods made me very comfortable and relaxed. My favorite part was on our last full day there - relaxingly floating down the river on various inflatables with really amazing people. I could take another 8 or 10 weeks of that every year.

June:

7th : We got our Motorola Droids
Life = Life 5. Level up. "Droooiiiiiiiiid."
11th : Puck's Rooftop Party
I don't have a lot of folks that I hang out with outside of the office. Puck is a rock star of a person as well as... a rock star musician. When he said that he was having a rooftop party, there wasn't even the slightest bit of debate whether or not I would go. I was happy I did.
12th : Shady Grove Music Festival in Arden
I love me some Arden. Really, it's for many reasons, but the Shady Grove Music Festival is definitely one of them, and it's probably up near the top of the list.
15th : Picked up the Total Gym
Still haven't started using it very regularly. I use it - just not regularly. Going to change that this year.
23rd : Banking Fiasco (checking account issues)
Short version: someone managed to compromise my account. I'm sad to say that Wachovia didn't handle it very well. I chased information down. I confirmed what was and wasn't compromised. I called them back several times and dealt with different people every time, and each of them seemed to have a different idea of 'just what happened'. It was not a pleasant experience. Now, in their defense, the big W may have handled it just as well as any other financial institution may have. I hope to never have another experience to compare with it.
26th : Tubing Down the Brandywine River
Second time tubing this year, and just unbelievably enjoyable. Note to self: this is another "more in 2011" thing. Like... a lot. Additional note: find a way/place that you and your friends can do said tubing without paying crazy fees. It's worth it for 'once in a while', but if you want to make this a more regular thing...

July:

5th : Visit with the Fausts
My G-dparents came to town and stayed with my folks for a few days. I got a chance to hang out with them briefly. Miss them terribly. They are the very definition of good people.
8th - 11th : Maine for Pop Pop's Birthday
Was very happy to be able to surprise my grandfather with a visit from all three of his grandsons on our side of the family. xtingu  pretended that it was tough for her to go, but I secretly think she has a crush on my grandfather, so it's all good.
22nd : Belle and Angel in NYC
I have crazy talented friends, and the fact that I live within the kind of distance to NYC that I can pop up there mid week for an evening play is just awesome.
23rd - 25th : Work Weekend Visit with the Fausts in LV
More time with the G-dparents and working on the family land did my soul some real good.
31st : EHS Class of 1990 - 20 Year Reunion
Some things never change. In this case, I'm very happy for that fact. I was very proud to introduce xtingu  to my peeps from high school. Just as I was proud to introduce them to her.

August:

14th : JT3 @ World Cafe Live in Philly
See my earlier comment about crazy talented friends.
18th - 23rd : CA for IJG / Visit with J&K /P & M
The ever changing spirit of IJG is part of their charm. The fact that even the 'mood' of the band seems to shift from year to year speaks to the core of who they are. They've taken on a more sober appearance to reflect their re-focussing on performing their music accurately and 'cleanly'. The shows on this tour told me that this is the right move for them for this time. They performed wonderfully, and the audiences responded appropriately. It was also awesome getting a chance to see my dear friend D (sans LJ) at the Hammer show - even if only briefly.
19th : IJG @ Hammer Museum @ UCLA
Was beautiful and what an amazing space! The group played in an open courtyard with second story open hallways all around which created a sort of 'balcony seating'.
20th : IJG @ Dizzy's in San Diego
I loooove Dizzy's. I've said it before and I'll doubtless say it again. Great place, people who love good jazz, and tasty wines!
21st : Movie Night at Patty and Mike's (Dawn of the Dead)
I had never seen Dawn of the Dead. This was the right way to do it - on a large screen in the back yard of good friends with beverages and food in hand. Snarky commentary from the audience was a delight. (You can just imagine all the "Oh. Yeah. Because going in THERE seems like a good idea..."
25th : Started using Google Chat to Make Phone Calls
Why is this in my Year in Review? What can I say? I'm a Google Evangelist. Also? Being able to talk to clients on the phone while working on their website because my hands are free and thus making live changes per their requests? Priceless. So the fact that it's free? Awesome.
31st : Dragonbones Post : Portable Digital Sketchbook
( http://dragonbones.net/2010/08/31/a-digital-sketchbook-solution-for-under-400/ ) I love my tablet. I tend to judge the 'should I buy it' toys in my life based on an hour/cost study. I'm sure that the tablet has already reached the point where I spent something like $0.0000002/hour on it.

September:

4th : Arden Fair / Burning Kirby
I can't take crowds for very long, so I spent a short while browsing through the Arden Fair, but I didn't stay long. Burning Kirby, however, made me exceptionally happy. Since we couldn't make it out to the Playa this year, I'm thrilled that we have the kind of friends that are open to having our own uber-mini regional burn. We had a little bit of Home out here on the Right Coast. It was wonderful!
19th - 23rd : The Wall - Tech Week
For about a week I got to have real life rock'n'rollers performing live renditions of Pink Floyd's The Wall in my house. What did you have? Nuthin. That's what I thought!
 (click for larger size)
24th / 25th : The Wall @ Arden Guild Hall
Have I mentioned the skillz of my friends?
30th : Rehersal Dinner for Josh and Angie's Wedding

October:

1st : Josh and Angie's Wedding
So by now you may be noticing a theme - yes, I feel that I'm extremely fortunate when it comes to my family and friends. My newest sister-in-law is no exception. Both of my sisters in law are people that I am very proud to call 'sis'. My brothers have both done at least one or two things right - just don't tell them I said that.
7th : Ignite Wilmington 4 @ Delaware Center for Horticulture
Another great Ignite event, and another great venue. As serious bonus points? xtingu  gave a speech! You can see a partial video here. Unfortunately, as I didn't do the video work, I can't tell you why it cuts off half way through her speech.
11th : Work on Ceiling Fan / Ceiling
Ummm... yeah. That could have gone more easily than it did, but it also could have gone far worse. The ceiling fan is in (much thanks to my Dad) and the drywall that needed to get replaced (thanks to the mold created by year of poor ventilation) has been. I still need to do some 'clean up' work and re-paint the room, but that has taken the back seat to more urgent issues. For several months. Have I mentioned that Jill's a saint?
12th : First Guitar Lesson with Judith
Ok, so I stopped going after the first lesson. I should point out that the lesson itself was awesome and that I can't recommend Judith enough. I learned a lot that day, and when I can afford to purchase a guitar large enough for my size XXL mits, I will most assuredly do so.
21st : Jill's Paintings @ Coin Loft
22nd : JT @ Between Books
23rd : Met w/ Judith Kay re: Her Video Needs
29th : Pumpkin Decorating Contest at Work
30th : Rally to Restore Sanity
My first rally that wasn't motorcycle related. I was frustrated by the fact that I felt like I would have been able to see/hear infinitely better if I was at home watching a television, but I had a ball anyway. I was with good people, and that makes all the difference.

November:
4th : CTC Wine Night @ Veritas
7th : Hiking / Family Dinner w/ Mark and Lauren - One Shot Coffee in NoLibs
lotusanddragon  and LaurenWithNoLJ had been talking about taking me to One Shot for a while, and I finally got the opportunity. Great place with Robot paintings on the walls that I know xtingu  will love when she gets to finally see the place.
12th : Boots on the Ground @ BCUS w/ Veritas
12th : Kate Miller Heidke / Joe Trainor Show @ Arden Guild Hall
Awesome show, and Kate and Keir were a lot of fun and down to earth. Getting them a little flavor or Wilmington via Stanley's after the show was just the thing.
20th : Itroduction to Partner Acrobatics
First time I tried something in the acrobatics spectrum. The old "martial arts Matt" made an appearance, and I felt immediately comfortable with concepts - whether I could physically do them or not. I knew what to do - I just had to get my body to do it.
22nd : Cartography Meeting with Charles Dickey
24th : Hang with Dan
I don't get to see my buddy Dan nearly enough these days. It was really good to get a chance to BS with him for a bit.
25th : T-Day @ Chez Lichtenwalner
xtingu  almost didn't make it this year. Her life leading up to Turkey Day was quite hectic, and she said she wasn't going to go, but she relented at the last minute. And really? If you could see the food my family puts out at social gatherings? You would say she made the right effing call.

December:
3rd : Happy Hour with Insight at Iron Hill Brewery
4th : LitGraphic: The World of the Graphic Novel @ Michener Art Museum
I enjoyed this immensely. Went with swingchickie  and JackWithNoLJ, and really? You couldn't ask for better partners in crime. Went to a great little BBQ place in town afterward and checked out a local shop that sells swingchickie 's hoops.
10th : HB & JT @ Between Books
11th : Sandler's Open House / Party
The man knows how to throw a shindig. Just sayin.
16th : Tron @ Theater N
In prep for seeing Tron: Legacy, we decided to go see the original at Theater N since they had a showing. Of course, we haven't been to see Legacy yet.
17th : Reckless @ CTC
Great show - a lot of fun, and we were front row. I remind myself every time I go to CTC that I need to go more often.
18th : Mummenschantz @ Zellerbach
A childhood memory brought to life. While it may sound backwards, the greatest delight for me was the 'reveal' at the end of the show where we were allowed to see the performers without any bulky costumes which obscure their faces/forms. The fact that these weren't 20-something performers doing this intensely physical performance art made me very happy. They manage to evoke a wide spectrum of emotion with nonsensical forms and motion. This seems like high art wrapped in a show for children. Memorable.
24th : Christmas Eve with the Lichtenwalners
xtingu  and I headed north to hang out with my parents, my youngest brother, and his beautiful wife for X-Mas eve. We set up a webcam chat and projected it on the wall of my parents' family room so that we could 'share' the evening with my middle brother and his family in Michigan. Yeah. We're tech nerds like that.
25th : Christmas with the Knapp's
Good people. Good family. I was happy to be a part.