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.
- 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.
- Tom Freund - Former member of The Silos, occasional touring musician with Ben Harper, solo singer/songwriter (MP3: North American Long Weekend)
- 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.
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