I’m Continuing the tradition of answering the following questions together with you at year’s end. So read them, think about the questions for a moment, and then let’s discuss our answers…

YEAR IN REVIEW

When you consciously review your year, you may notice how little you noticed it as it whizzed past. To review is to re-view. To rewind, pause, look again. And in looking again, to see more clearly.

You may be astonished by how much happened. And how much didn’t. By how much has changed. And how much hasn’t. You may laugh or sigh to notice that your life remains its usual jumble of contradictions.

In 2009, I gained _______________________________________.

I lost _______________________________________.

I stopped _______________________________________.

I started _______________________________________.

I was hugely satisfied by

_______________________________________.

And frustrated by _______________________________________.

I am so embarrassed that I

_______________________________________.

Once again, I _______________________________________.

Once again, I did not

_______________________________________.

The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is

_______________________________________.

The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is

_______________________________________.

I loved spending time

_______________________________________.

I should have spent more time

_______________________________________.

I regret buying _______________________________________.

I will never regret buying ____________________ even though with that money I could have bought

_______________________________________.

I _______________________________________ way too much.

I didn’t _______________________________________ enough.

_______________________________________ drove me crazy.

Was __________________________ crazier than ever last year? Or was it me?

The most relaxing place I went was

_______________________________________.

I feel so _______________________________________ when I write that down.

Why did I go to _______________________________________?

The best thing I did for someone else was ______________________.

The best thing I did for myself was _______________________________.

The best thing someone did for me was _______________________________.

The one thing I’d like to do again, but do it better, is _____________________.

(credit to the Chicago Tribune’s longtime columnist Mary Schmich, published originally December 2005)

My answers are after the jump…

In 2009, I gained a son-in-law and a step-grand-daughter; both are absolutely lovely. Yes, I am now a 2-year-old’s grandmother! Crazy, right?!

Jordan, Jayda & Sarah

I lost a stressor that had been around since 2007. Sometimes losses can be an extremely good thing. I am proud of the way I conducted myself during the extraction process, and I feel that it made me a better person.

I stopped unconsciously chomping popcorn and coffee beans. It’s a long story, but yeah.

I started embracing my Farrah hair. Instead of flat-ironing it to death, I am now celebrating the waviness of it all … for now.

Kevin and me at the ranch Christmas dinner

I was hugely satisfied by something Kevin said to me. To paraphrase, it was that he thought I was amazing because when I said I was going to do something, I found a way to make it happen — even if it seemed like an impossible task. This seemed like such a lovely compliment when he said it, and I am smiling now, just remembering.

And frustrated by some of the choices made by others. I watched people founder, stumble, and do generally irresponsible or psychologically damaging things that at times left me shaking my head in disbelief. But at the end of the day, things always seemed to work out one way or another, so my stress over any of it was essentially a waste of time and energy. Now we shall see if I can remember that as a lesson learned next time the sh*t starts to hit the fan.

Kelsey & mimmie, Kevin’s 102 year old (!!) grandmother

I am so embarrassed that I chickened out of jail-breaking my iPhone. It’s okay though; Larry and Dan are already making plans to do it with me when we are in Vegas together for CES.

Once again, I was very pleased with Gear Diary’s continued growth and the behind the scenes rapport I enjoyed with the writers. Even when we didn’t agree about things, even when personalities would clash, there was always a feeling that we were working together to achieve something wonderful.

Mom enjoying the guitar pickers at the Chicken Farm in San Angelo, photo by Freddie Matthews

Once again, I did not worry as much about things that I couldn’t change. Instead I tried to focus on things I could control and improve. The key word is “tried”.

The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is that I wear glasses now! It’s a really low prescription, but I like wearing glasses … I think they make me look smarter.

The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is that I smile a whole lot more. They actually have a nickname for me in Eldorado … “Smiley”. Isn’t that lovely?

I loved spending time watching all the Battlestar Galactica DVDs with Kevin! We are both huge fans now, and we have Amisha and Helena to thank for that!

I should have spent more time exploring the ranches with Kev — especially the pasture we are living in now. It’s not like we don’t have the buggy to do it in (complete with CD player and Sirius Satellite Radio). Ah well; there is always 2010!!

I regret buying nothing! Not even the nook! Oh wait … I got that for free. Okay … maybe I regret using $300 in Amex points for that.

I will never regret buying my MacBook Pro 17″ even though with that money I could have bought a pretty impressive desktop computer. But this one can travel with me — in fact, I am writing this article on it while sitting in Kevin’s truck as we speed along to Austin for a New Year’s Eve party. Gotta love the MiFi! (Thanks Mom!)

I drank way too much beer! But it was good. And it went very nicely with the phaal.

with Amisha Gandhi after we had conquered the Phaal Curry Monster at the Brick Lane Curry House

I didn’t exercise nearly enough. Oh well.

The Economy drove me crazy. Between advertisers who couldn’t pay on time (if at all), the fluctuating stock market, and the BS that some of my credit card companies tried to pull — i. e. – HSBC raising my card’s rate from 12.9% to 21%, and trying to say that it was an across the board rate increase for everyone — even those with perfect credit?! Whatever. Paid off and moved on.

Was vacation crazier than ever last year? Or was it me? We loaded up and went to Big Bend with Lisa, Lee and their kids. We rented a house in Terlingua, and we proceeded to have a B-L-A-S-T! Not that you could tell it in this picture …

The most relaxing place I went was the back porch of our new home at the ranch; it is like a non-stop vacation living here! I feel so happy and satisfied when I write that down.

Why did I go to ? Urgh … I have no answer for this one. I don’t remember anything happening that would even qualify.

The best thing I did for someone else was let go.

Sarah & Jayda

The best thing I did for myself was reconnect with old friends. Many of them, believe it or not, were found through Facebook. Some I hadn’t seen or spoken to in nearly 30 years … amazing!

Cy’s barn: the UT vs. Tech game

The best thing someone did for me was believe in me, believe in my vision, and support me. Actually several people did that, and I want to personally thank Wayne, Dan, Larry and Carly for doing just that — as well as all of the Gear Diary writers!

The one thing I’d like to do again, but do it better, is not freak out when people let me down.

Jason Dunn, me, GA Gay at Mobius 2009; photo by Jenneth

How about you? Care to share any of your 2009 list?

Here’s to a 2010 that is full of even tighter family ties, good friends, happy times, lots of cool gadgets, new experiences, and no regrets.

Happy New Year!!!