End of the Year.

In a case of "why reinvent the wheel" I'm going to chat a little bit about this past year, get mildly introspective, and maybe post a link or 2. No heavy-lifting here!

This year I was laid-off from what can only be described as the most dysfunctional company I've ever worked for. They're now being sued for more than their sale price.

I'm normally not one to publicly demean prior companies, and will leave my comments to the above, but let's just say parting isn't always sweet sorrow.

I will take the friendships I made with me, and leave the rest. Lessons learned, case closed.

Spending the Summer by the pool catching up on numerous books in lieu of working is highly recommended, and should be instituted as part of the American work culture.

I don't think this will ever come to fruition if we hope to pay back all our debt to China and India, much less beat them economically. Yet again, another reason I'm happy not to be the Man in Charge. Or the Woman.

After this Summer's experience I've become a firm believer in everyone needing downtime. It's important for the brain to go to it's happy place for a while and reset.

At least, that was my own experience after being laid-off. No answers to life were revealed, but a lot more interesting questions were raised. Mysterious enough for you?

Small scale chicken-farming became a hobby/habit.

As did volunteering at the SF Zoo.

Bee-keeping still remains a challenge, but I learn more with each hive I (gulp!) kill.

I bought some bearded dragons and sold some bearded dragons.

I bought and sold leopard geckos.

I debated creating a stock market devoted solely to lizard futures, but got too lazy.

We adopted a rabbit for about a week before he disappeared.

We bought a baby African Sulcata tortoise on a whim before knowing anything about African Sulcata tortoises and their 60 year, 200 lbs, life cycles.

Sadly Byron was lost and eaten by neighborhood raccoons. Rest in shell little guy.

International travel was, sadly, on a downturn.

We did manage to visit Costa Rica for a week. Oh, and we almost moved to Poland. And Singapore. Too bad almost only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades.

Here's to hoping 2010 has plenty more international adventures in foreign climes!

Domestic travel took an upturn, and I finally reconnected with my old high school friend Keith Joesel. Fittingly at Austin City Limits for an amazing music-going experience.

Although older/wiser and with a 1000-yard "I'm a father" stare, Keith looks the same. Acts the same too.

Just don't tell his wife Julie.

Took a new job in October with PubMatic. The publisher ad-optimization space definitely appears to be heating up, and I love being back in the start-up environment with people who care more about working hard than politics. I'm also enjoying looking at the advertising space from a meta level. Lots of building yet to be done.

Music...oh music.

Without expending the grey matter to remember all the groups I fell in love with, I'll just mention a few:

- Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros: Reminiscent of Arcade Fire meets hippie love bus music. Made me feel happy and warm inside.

- Fuck Buttons: Reminded me electronic music is still worth listening to.

- The XX: Doesn't overwhelm, and has a great aftertaste.

- The Pains of Being Pure at Heart: Nothing new here, yet also powerfully addicting.

- Grizzly Bear: I finally got on board. You should too.

- Frightened Rabbit: Maybe not a band from 2009, but definitely one who I gave hours of listening time to and will continue to do so.

I'm sure there were more, but I'm sticking to my "no heavy lifting" mantra.

In line with the bands above use this handy guide, Stereotyping People by Their Favorite Indie Bands, to stereotype the hell out of me. Because remember, stereotypes save time.

What else? I'm sure there's more...

I saw some great movies and played some great video games. Too many to list at this point.

I laughed.

I cried.

I hurled.

Here's to 2009. Rest in peace.