2009 was a tumultuous year. I'm not going to recount all the gory details but I'll hit on some topics of interest. It started out wild with working on the CutandPaste show. I did write about that some. I did a lot of traveling in a short amount of time in the US. The work was new, exciting, and challenging, but it was always by the seat of the pants and I don't really like that. Then the tour continued in Asia, and the chaos got even worse, but the adventure even bigger. I was very glad to be apart of that project, but also very glad when it was over. I was asked back onto the Oracle Howard Street project. There was some vindication in being asked back. I knew last years project had not gone well. I wanted to stand up and yell "I told you so" but what good would come from that? Howard Street as we call it has become old hat. It's an extremely challenging game of logistics, but one I've done a couple of times so it didn't seem that hard until the rains came that is. We got hit with the biggest storm of the year that week. Not the best time to have a 800' long tent in the middle of a downtown street. Through the perseverance of my team we fought back against the storm, and with pride I say we never had to shut the tent, and we never tripped a single circuit. It was amazing. After Oracle came the normal series of fall events followed by holiday events, then one of my favorite projects the Oakland Zoo's Zoo Lights. By the time the end of December came I was burned out from an epic year of seemingly non-stop work. Yes I worked a lot in 2009. My best financial year ever and I'm not ashamed of it. Right place/Right time. Looking forward 2010 seems strong. Events that canceled last year are already back on the books. I'm glad to have work, but I have to find a better balance.
I did get to do some racing last year. I think I made it to 4 rounds with the AFM. I'm looking forward to 2010. I have a new number this year. 93 a 2 digit number. That's significant milestone in a racing career. It means you've been around a long time. It doesn't mean your fast, it just means you've stuck around. This will be my 7th year roadracing. There's a new series this year called the California State Championship. It's one round at each of the three west coast racing clubs. I plan to make it to those three races if none other. It'll provide some new challenges. I need to get my act together, and update my racing resume, and get my sponsors lined up if I'm going to be able to afford the travel to the away rounds. I made a big change to my race bike after the last race. I'll do a write up about that, and what I think it will do to help me. I can't wait to get back to the track, turn some laps and hang out with my friends.
2009 was a bit of a roller coaster, like any year really but the peaks and valleys seemed more extreme. There was love found, and love lost, moments of pride and moments of WTF? A decade has ended, and a new chapter is just beginning. New bikes, new tracks, new interesting projects to work on, new love. I think twentyten will be a good year. I plan to write about here. I hope you follow along.
-mickey
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