2009 in Retrospect.

[Agrajag]

I give 2009 a 6/10. Not an awful year, in fact there was some good times and new friends, but more than enough bad shit to bring it down overall. 2010 is already looking better though.

[Joopac_Badur]

Thoughts on 2009

Spoiler: show

The year started out poorly. I transferred out of Ohio University for personal and financial reasons, which was upsetting. Realized that while the University of Tennessee is considerably cheaper, it isn't as good of a college. Realized that I could connect with old friends from high school, since I'm back in my home state, but most of them have moved on with their lives and many of them have moved on to a bad place (i.e. recklessly abandoning themselves to drugs). I also chose to stay in a relationship that was only making me marginally happy. I was being listless and unmotivated in school and generally did not have a goal for myself.

However, some Good Points

Spoiler: show

1. Broke off that mediocre relationship
2. Got a new girlfriend
3. Had sex with new girlfriend
4. Slowly but surely developing a goal for self
5. Decided to end reclusive, quiet persona and become cocky bastard persona (this switch is directly responsible for points 2 and 3 coincidentally)
6. Found a lot of music that I really like (Lady Gaga, the Protomen, Taylor Swift, Hot Leg, etc etc)
7. Still keeping up with this Forum
8. Managed to party many times this year, but didn't black out once (this is a good thing)

And like Aggers said, 2010 looks to be bitchin'.

[MrSquishyDBC]

Yeah, I was hoping that 2009 would be my year, but it wasn't quite.
2010 for sure, though.

[pie]

Been a weird one for me, got a job that wasn't that great and worked for 4 months, but felt pretty ok about it. Spent the summer working and rock climbing and seeing friends who I hadn't seen in a while, so that was kind of nice. Drove across Canada, moved to Vancouver, started university. Had some expectations for university that really didn't turn out, developed severe anxiety, went on medication for anxiety and worsened depression, didn't have any affect. Coming home over Christmas I realise that other than my family this place no longer holds any draw for me; feeling better about living in Vancouver. Found someone I want to fall in love with. It's been a bad year overall, but 2010 is looking better! Yay for new years, an arbitrary occurence which nonetheless gives a sense of renewal and potential. Woo!

[PyscoUno]

Year started with univeristy final year build up, which induced a fair bit of madness. Fianlly graduated and started watching more news based programming. Learnt from those shows, that this is a bad time to graduate, everyne firing staff, work slowing down and the media industry in UK is small and was already tough to get in (already knew this in uni but still aaah).
Now unemployed, i'm getting more social (even wents on dates, gasps) and getting work via volunteering and some unpaid internship. My Dadcu had a stroke, but family rallying round him and Mamgu, they look to be fine for 2010. Had a wiff of an internship in Bristol animation studio for 2010 and already got three weeks sceduled interning at Current TV.

2009 has been mild, chaotic but maturing, hoping 2010 has better health and paid work .

[Jim North]

Just another year.

[Joopac_Badur]

interning at Current TV.

CurrentTV is pretty sweet. Sounds like it'd be a fun opportunity.

Just another year.

Jim, the rules of this thread are that you have to either be mildly depressed or casually optimistic about the past year, not blatantly neutral.

[Matador]

I left school, worked at an Italian restaurant and met a lot of burnouts. I set a goal to save money and move out to California but that didn't do much good since working as a waiter instead of cooking means an unpredictable income. So I left it and went back to Cracker Barrel... which I left because of shitty management... which it still has... at least I'm meeting my savings goals.

I've met a couple of cool people. One I work with an d one I used to work with and don't get to see because I'm always working. I need to call him and get them both together for drinks.

I turned 21 and started drinking, which is one of the reasons saving was difficult. I found some really shitty places to drink and one really cool one. I knowingly went inside a gay bar thinking that some friends were there, but weren't. It's not something I'll ever repeat.

I decided that I want to be a writer instead of an artist, though I want to keep drawing as a skill. I decided that I'm going to move out to California so I can start a career in gaming [which is why I'm saving, and why I quit school].

I learned that long distance relationships are hard, and whither if you can't stayed in contact. I learned what it's like to break someones heart, get back together, then part ways again; it makes you feel like a jerk. But I wouldn't take it back, because I got to know someone special.

So... 2009 was an important year for me, but it definitely wasn't a fun year. There were some great things, but considering I'm back where I started... same job, no girlfriend, and still not in my career...

At least I'm back on the forum.

[kleptoman]

I worked in that boring and tedious job I hated for 6 months. I got better at bass and rhythm guitar. I recorded an EP with some friends.

I went to Montreal and spent time with my friend, who I sadly won't see again for at least another 6 months. I visited New York for three days, staying with ten people I didn't know in a small apartment, which was great.

I volunteered as a sound tech at a christian festival, getting me free entry and food, as well as an amazing sound desk to play around with for a week.

I started uni, started playing ultimate frisbee again, switched my Civil Eng course to a slightly different course that's got Architecture in it. Still not sure if this is what I want to do with my life though.

On the down side, nothing has happened romantically, but I haven't made a fool of myself. I also haven't been as outgoing at uni as I want to be, I haven't played bass there at all other than in my room.

My new years resolutions are to get in a band, get out more, and talk to my friends at home more. And to get a decent amp.

[MrSquishyDBC]

Ah yes, resolutions!!
Let me revist last year's too see if I accomplished any...
-Salvage the friendships I lost (Sort of accomplished. I'm friends with the ones I want to be friends with, and I left the ones I couldn't take anymore)
-Fall in love and not get my heart broken (Nope, didn't fall in love, and didn't have my heart broken)
-Become more socialable and outgoing (Kind of. I can always be better)
-Speak slower, and work on being more charismatic (Work in progress)
-Start planning my future life and career (This one probably took a few steps backwards, and I don't mind)
-Learn Japanese (Taking an independent study, so mission accomplished!)
-Not get kicked out of the forum. (WOO! 100% NOT KICKED OUT! ALRIGHT!)

This year's Resolutions:
-Retain the friends I have (and like) and screw the rest
-Get a girlfriend, 'cause I'm tired of being "the single one"
-Get my Black Belt after nine years of hard work
-Keep practicing the piano and learning new songs (this will be an easy one)
-Decide on a college to go to
-Be even more outgoing and charismatic

Who else would like to share their resolutions?

[Matador]

Just looked at my resolution from last year: write an adventure game. Man that was kick ass and I never did anything towards it. Crap!!!

[Joopac_Badur]

Just looked at my resolution from last year: write an adventure game. Man that was kick ass and I never did anything towards it. Crap!!!

There's always the new year!

[Matador]

But then it'll never come true.

I resolve to make no resolutions, just plans.

[Leetmuffin]

My only resolutions last year were improve my art and to fix my life.

Well I've improved art wise...

Resolutions this year:
Fix my life.
Stop feeling sorry for myself.
Be braver.
Build a portfolio.
Improve at art even more.
Get a steady job.
Don't get fired from being a cartoonist.

[Jim North]

Just another year.

Jim, the rules of this thread are that you have to either be mildly depressed or casually optimistic about the past year, not blatantly neutral.

Meh.