It's almost 6 AM. My back was killing me, so I had to get out of bed. I slept awkwardly on my side. Once the aching stops, I can return to bed for another hour or two before Kennedy wakes up. Later today, April and I are traveling to Wisconsin to visit her family. We'll be there for a few days pending weather. It's the first time I've had a chance to meet them, and I'm excited. They sound like wonderful people. Before we board a plane and head for much colder climates, I need to post my obligatory "year in review." While last year was the definition of bittersweet (i.e. getting divorced and then meeting April), this year has been incredible. I've never been happier, happy to be with April (my partner-in-crime who I absolutely love) and happy to be Kennedy's dad. Kennedy has grown up so much. Sometimes, I'll sneak into her room and just look at her while she sleeps. It's a parent-thing. Amazed at this little person before me, who refuses to play Candyland unless she wins. (We need to work on that for 2009.) These two women continually make me smile. And of course, Melissa is still very much a part of my life. I talk with her and see her almost every day. Melissa and I have accomplished the almost impossible: We're a divorced couple who separated on friendly terms. I hurt when she hurts, and I'm happy for her happiness. I know she feels the same. We're raising our daughter and keeping her as the priority.
If I have only one regret from this year, it's that I didn't get anything new published. I wrote some for D Magazine. The "Souvenir of Dallas" one page comic has certainly been a fun experience. And I've been working on other comic projects. It's simply the timing was such that nothing new hit the stores. After a busy 2006 and 2007, maybe I've been spoiled? I did self publish that mini-comic "Mine All Mine," and it was great to collaborate with all those talented artists. There's the irony. My comic work has been seen by more people this year (D Magazine = insanely large readership), and I've worked with more artists this year than ever before. And yet, I'm disappointed. I guess that's a good sign? I'm optimistic about 2009. I have to believe something will push through, and I'll have more to announce.
This "year in review" blog post is a tradition.
Previously: 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007
Memorable events for 2008:
* April moving in.
* Barack Obama elected president
* My cousin's wedding
* Family reunion
* Wolf Parade concert
* Meeting Lisa Loeb
* CAPE and Live Art Show / Birthday
* Taking Kennedy to the Great Wolf Lodge
Favorite comic books in 2008:
* Death Note
* Yotsuba&!
* Palestine
* Comic Book Comics
* Solanin
* Akira
* Echo
Favorite TV Shows in 2008:
* Lost
* How I Met Your Mother
* Weeds
* The Wire
* Venture Brothers
* Middleman
Favorite movies I watched in 2008:
* Dark Knight
* Slumdog Millionaire
* No Country For Old Men
* Steamboy
* Vicky Cristina Barcelona
* In Bruges
* Lars and the Real Girl
Favorite food for 2008:
* Steak burrito from Chipotle
Favorite music for 2008:
* Bon Iver, For Emma Forever Ago
* Sunset Rubdown, Random Spirit Lover
* Wolf Parade, At Mount Zoomer
* Joanna Newsom, The Milk-Eyed Mender
* The Walkmen, You & Me
Going to get some sleep now.
