Looking Back on 2009

I stared this post a while ago, back in January, and now it's time to finish it.

2009 was a good year. It all started in January. I worked January, February, and March--working full-time on my books and part-time for cash. Then in April, I worked my last day at my part-time job, which was with the good people in the Environmental Science and Technology Dept. at the University of Maryland. I believe my last day was April 7. Then I kept writing and getting ready for my spring/summer plans.

The Full-Time Friend mission obviously started with an idea. But the first action seems to be when I got on a Greyhound bus in Baltimore and headed west to Denver.

First out-and-back cross-country mission: I took the bus west to Denver to see my brother and friends. And then I got in the car with my brother and helped him drive from Denver back to Maryland.

We drove back. And it was a happy homecoming for Chris. And then some local parties and friending, and then a trip to MA for our family vacation. Great days up north.

Then back to Maryland. We're into June now. I squeezed in some writing days, and some meetings with my incredible mentor Dr. Baldwin, who's working with me on The Megatransect Data. And then the full-on wild madness of June! Hot and humid and wonderful. A great Pig Party with my friends the Dyers and Co. Travis's bachelor party, then Matt Posko's bachelor party: a Phish concert in PA. Jake Belvin was in town at this point, after some amazing roving adventures of his own, staying at my home with his car. And then Matt Brezina came to town, and we picked him up. Then Travis and Hilary's wedding, a beautiful celebration of love and friendship. And then the very next day we were off.

Second out-and-back cross-country mission: Jake Belvin's car was packed with bike tour stuff. Time to get down to business. Mary rode with us out to Denver, all of us taking turns driving. Fast and loose, like Fast Eddie Felson from The Hustler, that classic black and white film. Fast and loose like The Odyssey, the powerful words and translations of Homer--a story from 2,700 years ago. Another Odyssey for us, yes! Mary stayed in Denver and Jake and I began our adventures, a bike tour which would take us to fair and golden Yosemite--Where we met Travis and Hilary and Mary and Dave for some great Yosemite Days. And then I Greyhounded back to Pittsburgh for Adam and Brianne's wedding. Then back to MD, thanks to a ride from Jake Posko and Christina.

Now we're well into July. I was in MD till early August, with some local friending, and getting ready for a gig. I played music at Matt and Sharon's wedding, and then the next week I was on the road.

Third out-and-back cross-country mission: driving with Debbie from Maryland to Denver, to see some friends and then get my bike (Thanks again, Mary!) and then up to Gunnison, CO, where we met Chris and Kyle. After a mad night in Gunnison, Debbie and I went our separate ways (not because of the mad night; just because we each had our ways to go). I rode west with Chris and Kyle. Debbie had a Wilderness First Responder class. We met twelve days later. Then we made our way back home. We got back to MD in early September. Debbie gave another slide show at NASA, and I was in attendance. Then some local friending. Then my first serious wide-eyed NYC mission, which went so well that I'm forever grateful (Thanks Matt!). Then some music making and family time and some more local friending. And a trip to PA to see more family. Thanks to everyone, I can't put all the names in right now.

Fourth out and back cross-country mission: And then during the first weekend in October, after Jake's bachelor party, I headed west in a car with Dave Mecchi. Fast and loose, again, on the highway. I'm so lucky, I'm so lucky, I thought. Out to Denver, again. Then in the car--a different car--with Ilyse, out and on the road, rocking hard because we had many miles to go. Up to Seattle. Then down the coast. Kobus in Portland. Then sweet Cali. O how I love California! San Fran for some friending. Then back to Devner by way of Yosemite, Death Valley, Vegas, and Utah awesomeness. Then back to MD with Ilyse and her car packed with lifethings and another bout on Interstate 70.

Back to MD the day before Jake and Christina's wedding, which was perfect and good. And from here on, Maryland was my base camp again . . . .

October into> November, with some time in MD. And PA again to see the grandparents. Then the holidays and such, working and friending, which I've written about below.

Thanks again to all those who helped me in my travels and spent their time with me.

I appreciate it.

Jeff