Retrospective

Well, I promised a retrospective year in review, but, ironically, in retrospect I must recant that promise, at least in part. See, to review the year in whole would mean to once again rehash all the negative stuff as well as the positive stuff, and that's just not how I wish to end this year or start the next one. So I am simply going to list the positives instead and build upon those this coming year.

Near the beginning of this year I closed a chapter in my life and budding comics career that was due and opened another one. Though that chapter would be a short one, I was fortunate enough to meet friends I still converse with to this day, and I wouldn't trade either experience for anything. The change taught me a lot and it prepared me for the future, and it also revealed to me where my focus should be as far as comics are concerned.

I also was made Business Manager of Scryptic Studios, which has been quite an experience in and of itself. It's a great community and one I wish I had more time to devote to.

I landed my column at comicavalanche.com, and that has been a huge success and I have gotten a lot of feedback about it. I am thrilled and honored by the success of it and everyone who has supported it.

The biggest happening in comics for me was getting my gig with Platinum, which I take as a sign of great things to come. That's one thing I will definitely be building upon in '06.

There are several other high points in comic related stuff for me this year that I could take an hour or more to relate here, including a couple of projects that finally have legs. But I've commented on all of them in this very blog (which would be another plus for me as it opened many doors and friendships as well), so I don't feel the need to rehash.

In my personal life, I have gotten closer with my family, both immediate and extended, and both of those accomplishments were no small feats, believe you me. I also had to face some decisions and situations, and I truly believe that from them I have learned a great deal about myself, my convictions and many other things that will help me to become what I want to become from this point on in all facets of my life.

So, even though the negatives, which have been well documented, may have been in abundance, I've also had my fair share of positives to balance everything out. I had a wonderful Christmas despite so many things trying to ruin it. I am positive going into the new year, which is something I couldn't imagine being a few short months or even weeks ago. And while everything may not be worked out right now, I have high hopes for the coming year and beyond.

In closing, I'm looking forward to 2006 more than I ever thought I'd be. I turn 29 this coming year and that alone is a wake up call for me. I don't feel like 30 is old at all, but it is still somewhat of a milestone, or a marker at the least. And there are goals I had set for myself to accomplish by the age of 30. Some of them won't be possible, but others will, and I intend to get as close as possible to the ones that aren't possible. Every messageboard I have gone to people are asking what our New Years resolutions are. Mine are simple, and pretty much the same as every year. Improve on the things that need improving, get closer with friends and family, make steps towards my passions, whether that be in career or otherwise, get closer to God, and just try to better myself as much as I can. For me there are no better resolutions, and these aren't yearly, but daily. If there's one thing I could specify as a goal for this year it would be to find the youthful exhuberance, determination and passion that used to drive me in the face of adversity instead of being overcome with obstacles in my path. That would be my single resolution if I were to choose one.

With all that said, I wish you all a safe and happy new year, and as they say, may this one be better than the one before, and regardless of your religious preference, may God bless you all in the new year. Here's to good things to come! Happy New Year!