2012...

Actually sunrise, but it's like the sunrise of a new year...

...in review.

This year was a good one.  They all are, but I've felt particularly good this year.  Since this is my diary, it's time for a little perspective...

In 2012 the following affected me or my family:

Each of the boys got to drive a boat for the first time.

Them thar's Burnt Ends.  They are better than they look.

Lost the first of my uncles or aunts.  At 44, and with a total of 5 sets (4 sets and 1 divorced set), that's pretty fucking amazing.

Got to sing "Who Can I Turn To?" for a paying audience.

Renewed a friendship that had been lost.

Watched my oldest son go to second grade.

Watched the sun rise on Kroon Lake in Lindstrom, MN.

For that matter, set foot in the state of Minnesota for the first time.

Took in a baseball game with Nolan Ryan and George W. Bush.

Visited the Texas Book Depository.  Or the Sixth Floor Museum as it's called now.

Found Lee Harvey Oswald's grave.  And Clyde Barrow's, and Bonnie Parker's.

Spent two months with a ridiculous mustache.

"Black Comedy" - the most fun I've ever had directing.

Added Burnt Ends to my resume.  You'd understand why that's momentous if you tried them.

Got to sing at a surprise party for a dear friend.

Watched my wife get fired into a promotion.  Amazing where opportunities arise sometimes...

Saw yet another Republican kowtow to the insane portion of the right to the loss of his own Presidential Campaign.

Helped my youngest celebrate his third birthday.

Lost our full-time babysitter as a better opportunity for her and her family arose.

Got to ball games at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Wrigley Field, US Cellular Field, Miller Park and Target Field.  That's 6 stadiums and, if memory serves, 13 ball games.  I really hate baseball.

Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm and the Countess. 

Tried Harold's Chicken.  I'm not eating chicken anywhere else real soon.

Took in a ball game with some LONG AGO friends in September.

Went to a practice round of the Ryder Cup at Medinah.  Got some pretty amazing photos of the losing team.


Used GPS guidance technology for the first time while in Texas.  I'm converted.

Directed "Black Comedy," a farce, in the spring.

Appeared in "Broadway Ballot," a cabaret featuring a bunch of the most talented people in the community theatre scene in August.

Appeared as Carl Magnus in "A Little Night Music" in the fall.  Got to sing a duet with someone I've been waiting a LONG time to sing a duet with...while meeting some great people.  P'raps one of the easiest/most in my wheelhouse roles I've tackled.  Fun to really look like you know what you're doing....

Played the character of the host of a "radio broadcast" of "It's A Wonderful Life" at Christmas.  I did a lot of theatre work this year.

Assembled.

Probably spent too little time with my in-laws.  Not that I didn't want to, but I was pretty busy with theatre.

Probably spent too little time with my family that doesn't live with me.  Not that I didn't want to, but I was pretty busy with theatre.

Guess who his daddy is.

Saw "War Horse."  More to come on that in the coming days.

Took my son and nieces to "Blue Man Group."  Third time for me.  First time for them.  Still a great night at the theatre.

Met Tom Ricketts.  And Jose Cardenal.  And Starlin Castro.  And Rick Monday.  And Steve Trout.  And Lee Smith.  And Keith Moreland.  And Anthony Rizzo.  Talked to Theo Epstein.  For a moment, but it counts.  Shit.  I met a lot of Cubs.  I may be a fan.

Saw "Million Dollar Quartet."

Celebrated nine years of marriage in style.

Managed to not pick up my golf clubs once.

Dropped 25 pounds at the end of the year.  Got more to go.

Took Brady to see "The Wiggles" on his birthday.

Both boys loved fishing in Minnesota.

Took my family on a vacation.  Much needed, and it WILL be repeated annually.  Brady's old enough to go now.  Won't skip time away like that again.

Used my smoker a LOT.

Had my oldest nephew get accepted to college.

Made a lot of new friends.  Really like them, and feel really blessed to know them all.

Marked 24 years without drugs or alcohol.

Made a lot of visits to the Museum of Science and Industry.

Did not make any visits to the zoo.  Gotta change that in 2013.

Led a canoe trip with a group of friends for entirely too long a distance down the Fox River before the drought hit.

Had far too many thoughts of tragedy befalling strangers, friends, and family.  I never expected to get through this life unscarred.  I think we all could use a year of less loss. I don't expect that, now that I'm getting older, but it would be nice.

Tried my best to maintain perspective on my life, my love, my family, my job, and my world.  Often lost that perspective.

Spent far too little time on this blog.  I'm going to try and change that in 2013.  No promises.  P'raps I'll still suck at this.

Thanks for reading.  Blessings or whatever you call them in 2013.  Let's make it a good one.  Without any fear.

Perspective.  A smiling family, good food in our bellies, and a
baseball game in our memory from that afternoon.  Photo taken by a friend.
I think that pretty much nails everything that's truly important.