2009 in Retrospect

To quote Dickens, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times". 2009 was a year of both highs and lows. Some very good things happened and some very bad things happened. The best things that happened to me during 2009:

1> My marriage finally failed. Nothing is worse than feeling trapped in a bad marriage. Looking at someone and asking yourself which would be better? a> Spending the next 40 years with this person? b> Being humanely euthanized and having your parts harvested and donated for transplant? My answer was b.

2> Fracturing my bottom right rib. Necessity is the mother of invention. I was working towards a fitness goal. I thought I found the perfect exercise to take me towards my desired fitness level (rowing). I failed to follow the safety directions of my rowing instructor. I snapped a carbon fibre outrigger of a racing scull with my rib and fractured my rib. Doctors orders to rest the rib area for 6 to 8 weeks. My solution, learn how to isolate body regions that require repair and train the rest of the body at increased intensity.

3> Getting strong enough to do two two pull ups from a full dead hang. I was working out with dumbbells six days a week, doing an hour long workout. Once I was strong enough to do two proper pull ups, I realized lifting weights was a waste of time and energy. Now in three ten minute sessions of attacking my pull up bar, I accomplish far more than I could doing six hours of weights. I had gained 5 hours and 30 minutes of quality time every week.

4> Starting to write again. My gay friends tell me "there is no therapy like retail therapy". I have found that "there is no therapy like writing therapy". Giving myself deadlines to compose my thoughts in a coherent manner is training my mind. God gave us a brain, use it or lose it.

Wishing everybody a safe and prosperous 2010. I will be continuing with my analysis of what I saw at the ICTY in the new year.