Web Logs
1/2/2002 - 2001 Year End Summary
2001 was a transitional year where I took large strides away from the 9 to 5 rat race. I didn't escape entirely, but progress was made. I went part time and juggled between Web work and my music. If I wasn't coding a drug prevention site, chances are I was stretching my vocal range or polishing some lyrics. I improved dramatically in all these areas, but didn't seem to finish much. It was all rehearsal, practice and beta testing. This is the first year where I'm really got some sense of time. A perspective on what can be accomplished in a year and how long things take. Perhaps this journal is helping.
It wasn't all the dull grind. I spent almost a whole month on the Liber Vespertilionis and went on several trips with Will to New York, Pennsic and Rehoboth. I can't say I spent more time with friends and family, but I didn't seem to neglect anyone too much. Will and I did radically cut down on going out to bars this year. Very few trips to the Eagle. Its just hard to have much enthusiasm for midnight revelry when you get up at 5 a.m. every day of the week.
The flavor of the world changed radically this year. Yes September 11th was traumatic and shocking, but for me, the Dot com bust and economic slowdown were more tangible. An era of optimism, prosperity, and style had ended. Gone was the assurance of work and yearly raises. Gone was the giddy tech industry buzz. The colorful shirts in my closet and bright blue Macintosh computer at work now seem strangely dated - overexhubrant relics. Gone as well, was Bill Clinton. Replaced by a more conservative, less gay-friendly administration.
In My Life
- Was awarded by Black Belt (although I took the test the year before).
- I formed a band, which wrote some tunes, played some parties and then broke up.
- Learned Mac OS X, Livestage Pro, iMovie, Filemaker, and some basic Unix.
- Travelled to New York, Pennsic, Rehoboth, and spent a weekend playing D&D with my friends.
- Bought one house - had the seller renege on the deal and sued him and won a large settlement.
- Bought another house - the seller behaved himself - and now I own an investment property.
- Rebuilt and refurbished my basement studio.
- Built the massive Liber Vespertilionis with Lea.
- Reconciled with my ex Tom
- Threw a pretty good Pumpkin carving party
In the World
- The US economic slowdown
- September 11th and the resultant war in Afghanistan
- Anthrax in the mail
- Cloning makes huge strides
Of Friends and Family
- Sam's band Humwawa finished an album - and then broke up.
- Patrick's Dad, Taylor Burke passed away.
- Tom went to work at a new Job.
- Paul moved to Philadelphia, and back
- Brian and Phil continued their slum lord expansions...
- Jay got to work on the Pentagon after Sept. 11th.
Entertainment
- Films I'll remember
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
- Life Without Death
- Lord of the Rings
- Books on the night stand
- Roosevelt: A Life
- The Book of Skulls
- Terminal City
- Music in the player
- Riven the soundtrack
- Anything from the Doors
- Kraftwerk
