For us restless few, the passing of time and the merciless analysis of its expenditure, can be daunting and damning.
Along with other milestones the rapid approaching end of year, sounds alarms and unearths no few recriminations, doubly so when one can judge a passing decade as largely misspent.
You, as I do, might tell yourself “I spent X hours watching videos online, Y hours engaged in surface level socialization, and Z in days since I last did that thing I should” (or shouldn’t,) though it’s important to take an unflinching review of our actions or lack thereof and adjust accordingly, it’s over easy to set the wrong narrative in stone, to forever remember the year that was with regret.
To ensure that accomplishments earned, lessons learned and memorable moments aren’t overlooked or allowed to fade, we should enshrine them too.
When I found myself lamenting the year, in its entirety, as a loss, it proved a valuable lifeline to summon and compile those moments. Amongst the highlights, or at least those I’m willing to share 😉
SoCal Sun & Sea
In the spring, I reconciled with what had been an unpleasant tenure in Southern California and celebrated my brother’s new status as a resident there by ticking off something we’d been talking about doing forever for ages… deep-sea fishing.
He’s admittedly the better angler and his Corvette made for the best back road chariot one could ask for. Those golden SoCal sunsets and moments shared were special, but the dolphins swimming alongside and keeping pace with our vessel and, at full speed, performing missile-like feats, obviously showing off and delighting in their prowess.
The ling-cod caught in the diamond glimmering waters off the Channel Islands made for one of the better meals enjoyed this year.
Note: I owe ya’ll some video from the above and a few of the items below. Will update when edited and uploaded.
East Coast Antics. BOS > NYC & ECHQ
I returned to Boston for a conference and was given cause to reunite, and perhaps – though not an admission – mischief, with my closest friend. A Riesling masterclass, of course, ensued.
Said accomplice er… friend and I summoned business ideas and culture-shifting strategies for fun at a bagel place, toured a maker-space that would, begrudgingly, put any I’ve encountered on the best coast to shame, and embarked on a bus ride – while equipped with an array of travel cheeses and stealthy libations – to Nieuw Amsterdam.
A heavy handshake later and we were in mid-Manhattan, NYC with bags in tow.
I’ll skip incriminating retellings of time spent in Brooklyn and Bed-Stuy, sharing footage of disco pizza, late-night revelry, and save Chinese food recommendations in Flushing for another post, but after a bit of clothes shopping and foraging in Central Park we made our ways to and into our primary objective, the hallowed halls of the Explorers Club.
Though not yet members, we might have made some friends in the process and enjoyed access to some members only areas. Highlights include the Apollo 11 flag, the company and wee dram of Shackleton shared at the bar.
Yellowstone. Alone
In June, I flew into Bozeman, Montana and drove to Yellowstone National Park.
The fact that it was snowing or hailing and under 23°F (-5°C) – in June – was an unexpected surprise! My resolution to build no fires at camp until the last day became doubly disagreeable when my pen hand grew too damp and cold to grasp a writing implement and carry on with it’s intended task anymore. My reward for writing outside whilst wet and not wearing wool gloves.
Had close encounters with a few creatures most of us on this continent take for granted not being around, and on one or more occasion, experienced unintended opportunities to explore when two herds of bison cut me off from my hike’s return path to my car and I overshot the way around it, becoming slightly lost in the Lamar Valley walking back in a bit of mild hail. .
Summer Solstice & Camp-outs
While celebrating a friend’s recent move to a new neighborhood and toasting the Summer Solstice, I met and was ever-so enthralled by a Women. Alas, she was married but, it was a welcome reminder that engaging companionship can still be found.
More weekends than not were spent camping in the spring and summer, a few missteps and a moment or two where – lost – I nearly ran out of gas with two full jerry cans sitting at home on a shelf aside… I carved out time enough in the woods, with a clear canopy of stars to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the aforementioned Apollo 11 mission in style. Enjoying a few crystal clear river soaks while salmon spawnlings swam around my feet and tried to touch the sky in my own manner with a proper fire in the evening.
Coastal Handstands & Hot Tub Banter
If not yet fully reconciled… a former friend and I, at least, buried the hatchet ahead of the visit of a now moved and soon to be father we both missed. Introduced the latter to the joy of deep-water wading and handstands in the cold waves of the Oregon coast, and enjoyed a hot-tub soak or two in-between.
Central & S. Oregon Adventure
Many more musings and lessons to write and share, but road-tripped through and camped in much of central and S. Eastern Oregon. Followed herds of wild mustangs after navigating through Steen’s Mountain in the thickets fog imaginable, learned the sound of a snake’s rattle first-hand in an inopportune moment, enjoyed spectacular scenery and may have gotten a wee bit mired attempting a reverse Icarus.
Autumn Approaches
Accompanied a couple of nurses to the coast, taught them to harvest mussels, and prepare moules marinières.
Seattle
On a whim, I booked a last minute place in Seattle and, more importantly, registered for the PNW Chapter of the Explorers Club’s annual luncheon. It bears repeating that I’m not yet a member, nor affiliated or endorsed in any official capacity, it’d also be indiscreet to talk about some of the truly impressive people I met there and what they’re up to without first obtaining their permission. More to come when warranted, but suffice it to say I think I can be of some small service in aiding their future endeavors with my fundraising experience and meet more of their sort.
I also enjoyed an evening of late night revelry with an assortment of international visitors I met, had some great Chinese pork BBQ and less than mediocre dim sum before departing in the morning.
Thanksgiving. Turkey? Nyet!
Due to flight delays, our Thanksgiving beef-wellington wasn’t plated until slightly after midnight. But I was lucky enough to host my brother and his Girlfriend for Thanksgiving. A minor mashed potato making injury aside, we had a grand time. Enjoying a rare open house at one of the Willamette Valley’s O.G. and most venerable wineries, along with a many a stop at food cart pods, my favorite cocktail place in town and a certain whisky library.
Winter Solstice. Sol Invictus
In Mid-December, a handful of my more hardy friends and I went winter camping in Mt. Hood National Forest. A tad warmer than expected, which was pleasant but certainly damp with 38+ hours of incessant rain. Taught a friend how to build a fire in the rain and greeted the darkness with a roaring fire while enjoying the sound of a roaring river behind it. Most memorable for the hours afforded deep thoughts re: some decisions overlong left unresolved.
Was time spent sub-optimally this year too? Of course, but our inclination is often to focus on the missteps, to note only the pain.
I can, and will of course, track time poorly spent or in some instances outright squandered, but our inclination cannot always be to focus on the missteps, to note only the pain and subsequent condemnations.
Looking at the above, a goal of shortening the interlude between worthy moments and growth spurring obstacles becomes a better target to aim for, a better internal metric to track..
Though falling prey to gains goblins in the forms of some needless stress driven consumption over the last two months, I end this year – and decade – thinner, stronger, and wiser (if only slightly,), than when it began.
So this evening I’ve lit some candles, have some bubbly chilling and will bid 2019 goodbye.
So when looking at the year that was…
What was worth remembering? Where to next?
P.S. I find I need something to look forward to too, most of us do. But those are ambitions best shared in person, over a pint, or – as someone who speaks overmuch of intention – only relayed post-facto.