Friday, January 1, 2010

Things to do, places to go and people to see

2010? Are you kidding me? Weren't we just talking about the start of 2009 recently? And the whole Y2K thing seems like it was just yesterday rather than 10 years ago. Yet it is indeed a new year - so Happy New Year to everyone.



Historically, I've never been one who's known as much of a goal-setter - much less someone who latches onto a set of New Year's resolutions. I kind of just take things a few days at a time without giving a whole lot of thought about what the long-term holds.

Yet, 2010 seems different. Maybe its because the round number '10' looms before me like some sort of milestone begging for action. For the near term - whether it be 2010 or a year or so later, I'd like to do the following:

Places to go:
  • Washington DC...again. This one is easy. Booked. Family vacation in spring.
  • Vancouver BC/Victoria. I don't want to travel there during Olympic time. But my 20th anniversary is in September, so its an idea that's popped in my head as of late.
  • At least two NASCAR races...hopefully three. I really want to go to Martinsville. I'm in my mid 40s, have followed racing for 75% of those years, and still haven't had a Martinsville hot dog.
  • A TBD trip with my daughter. We had such a big time in Chicago this fall so I may need to do a follow-up in 2010. St. Louis maybe?
  • Toronto - Have never been there, but based on all I've read the city just seems like its one of those great world cities that begs visiting.
  • Seattle and/or Portland - Home of great coffee and beer. Plus, one of my long-term goals is to visit each of the lower 48 states at least once in my life. I still need to hit both Washington and Oregon.
Singers/Bands to see live:
  • John Prine - this one is a book-it. I have tickets to his Nashville show in March.
  • The Tragically Hip - A great Canadian band I've listened to off and on for years yet one that doesn't tour down to my part of the US very often. So I guess their song It Can't Be Nashville Every Night is quite true.

  • Scott Miller & The Commonwealth - plays Nashville fairly regularly. Just seems like every time he's been here, I've had something else on deck. That's got to change.
  • Jeffrey Foucault - His original songwriting is strong enough on its own, but now would be a good time to see him in support of his release of Prine covers. (MP3: One Part Love)
  • Slaid Cleaves - Pandora introduced me to his music - specifically Horseshoe Lounge. And now the more I listen to his songs, the more I'd enjoy the chance to see him live.

  • Rush - I became a Rush geek in high school and stayed one until around age 30. I've followed them from a distance the last 15 years or so. I've got more bootlegs of their shows than any other artist (closing in on 350 shows). Yet I haven't seen them live since around 1984. Should they tour again, I've got to make it a priority to once again see Geddy, Alex, and Neil.
  • Bob Walkenhorst & Jeff Porter - Bob was the frontman of the fantastic 1980s-1990s rockin' Americana band, The Rainmakers. These days, he and Jeff Porter have a standing Wednesday night gig in Kansas City, MO playing their more recent individual and collaborative writings and a healthy dose of Rainmakers revisits. But with a 2009 release, they're hoping to tour a bit outside their home turf. And I'm hoping a Nashville date hits their schedule.

  • Todd Thibaud - With some initial dollars in his pocket by penning some songs for ESPN's college baseball world series, he was then able to branch out to record some full-length releases. I'm not sure Todd tours much. But he is from Boston, and I tend to visit there about every year or two. So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Other
  • Teach my soon-to-be-15-year-old to drive.
  • Help my son earn his Boy Scout Eagle rank.
  • Spend more time getting to know more of the 140 people in my department vs. limiting it to just my team as I've likely been guilty of in the past.
  • Strengthen four key areas of my life - home, spiritual, professional, and physical.
TMC

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