2010

I mused on New Year’s Eve 2010 via Facebook that I was “Currently failing to wax reflective over 2010 drawing to a close. ;)” Simply my way of countering the many overly simplified reactions to 2010’s departure that I saw there on Facebook.

I would be remiss if I didn’t reflect on 2010, however, even if a few days late. There were too many trials and blessings not to count them and remember them.

On New Year’s Eve 2009 I watched the Pixar movie “UP” for the first time. Normally I don’t wax reflective on New Years Eve, nor do I spend effort contemplating the next year– it’s just another day, another week, another month, and so on. But given the themes in UP, especially those of change and embracing new adventure, I found myself thinking about what 2010 would have in store– there were many things I was certain were to come, change that could be fairly significant. And UP left me with a positive, excited attitude towards change.

Changes I had in mind had to do with:

• Completing a fine art project in order to earn a fine art degree (creating something to that scale and doing an exhibit, as is required for a fine art degree, was something that intimidated me for years). A project that required me to step out of my comfort zone not only because of the exhibit but because of the subject I took on– it was so much bigger than me.

• Graduating from college after nearly a decade of calling myself a “student”, attending half-time, skipping a semester here, missing one there as I transferred schools or changed majors. At one time or other I was interested in illustration, animation, industrial design, and multimedia communication, and ended back at graphic design since it I had an associates in that field and it was closely tied enough to multimedia with interactive design.

• Changing jobs: after several years of performing a production level job that required only an associates degree (and feeling unqualified for anything more advanced), I would have nothing to stop me from moving on to the next level professionally but my own inaction.

• Changing living circumstances / moving. I had once been encouraged to stay with the ‘rents while I attended school. Even though a portion of that time entailed paying rent, it was still a comfort zone and something I was self-conscious about. I knew that one way or another, I’d be moving out in 2010.

These changes seemed larger than they might have otherwise simply due to the length of time I had maintained the status quo.

And so it’s somewhat satisfying to now look back at 2010 and see how those changes materialized.

New-ish wheels
The lease on my Altima ended in February, so I was again looking for a new (used) car. I love my i35 that I picked up. I love it even more with the stereo I put in it a few months later. I’ve always been interested in audio, but had never delved into car audio, especially on such a technical level (and even then I’m still relatively ignorant). My soul craves music, as pure as it can sound. Also in the wheels department was the experience much later in the year of having to find a way to unload the G35 I had leased for my dad– it took some time, but every ended up well after the stress and frustration– definitely a blessing I needed but didn’t deserve.

The Fine Art Project
I did successfully complete my fine art project, and found it to be quite humbling and rewarding. It was also gratifying how much my instructor praised my work design-wise– it was in his view my best work, and very good work at that. Having had Jim as an instructor for a great number of my design classes, I don’t remember the last time I received near that kind of praise. Certainly choosing my own subject matter and having it be something so meaningful to me allowed me to enjoy working on this project more than some others, but still. It was nice to feel like I hadn’t fallen short of my potential as I so often did with other projects.

Graduating
Accordingly, I did graduate. Note that when I say graduate, I mean I fulfilled the requirements, applied for it, and received a diploma in the mail. I did not attend the graduation procession with my younger peers, haha. I hated my high school graduation and never wanted to do that song and dance again.

I graduated with no mind to return to the traditional university institution. I wish to always be learning and growing, but at this point I don’t value any formal certification beyond a bachelors degree. So, psychologically, this is a huge change. As long as I was a student, I didn’t have to take myself seriously. I was “just” a student. Immature. Graduating means growing up, no more lollygagging as a student. I suppose I am still gradually making this transition mentally. (It is awesome to be not going back to school– to not have the schedule to juggle, the commute, the extra deadlines…)

Moving
It was apparent that moving would happen over the summer– foreclosure and bank auction notices ensured that. What I hadn’t anticipated: a bit of living situation limbo. Marianne extended an offer for me to stay with her family for a bit until I got situated elsewhere. What I foresaw as being a 2 month stay turned into a 5 month stay as plans fell through, changed, and delays beyond my control came about.

That experience, a post in and of itself, was unexpected, and its effects unanticipated as well. I think I am a bit of a different person for it, hopefully a better person. I don’t know that I could ever repay Marianne and Jesse for their kindness and for the blessing they have been in my life.

A New Job
In the midst of all sorts of craziness in July– shooting a wedding, moving, cleaning out the old house, etc. (basically everything had been thrown up in the air except for work)– a job opened up on the web team at work for a web graphic designer. I figured I had only opportunity to lose and plenty to gain, and finally had that BFA degree I’d need and school behind me, so why not? I didn’t have my physical portfolio updated, but I figured that applying would be better than not, I’d take the chance on having only a digital portfolio. So, I quickly updated my resume and applied.

It was the one position that really appealed to me more than any other in the design department. After nearly not even having a shot at the job because HR didn’t forward my application to that manager in a timely manner, I interviewed and was offered the job the next day. Since then it’s been a blast– I love the work, I love the people I work with, and I get to learn and grow all the time. Another blessing I feel somewhat unworthy of and humbled by.

Moving Again
Finally, I moved again in December into a condo with the other two parts of the unholy alliance, my brothers Dan and Steve, haha. Not my favorite time of year to have the stress of moving and buying furniture and such…

This summary of my year is just that– a look at some highlights and some progress I made that’s been a really long time coming. It doesn’t even touch on some of the blessings and struggles various members of my family have experienced– plenty of ups and downs there (some which impacted me more than others). But regardless of the areas where I could have done better in 2010, I count 2010 as a great year for me, a year of milestones.