a look back at 2010

This was probably the greatest year (so far) of my life. Going back through some memories the past few days this past year has been nothing short of an adventure. It has also reminded me that I have so many great things to be thankful for.

2010 started with a hobby that I have just picked up this year: ice skating. At the Depot in Minneapolis is where I brought in the new year. That night also included the science museum which is one of my favorite places as well. It's funny that I had barely been ice skating before this year, now that I'm away from the snow covered state of Wisconsin, I've probably been skating more times in 2010 than the rest of my life put together.

NFA. No photographic evidence of HFO.

2010 was my senior year in college, and also the last opportunity I had to do forensics competitively. I couldn't have asked for a better turnout. There were lots of incredible moments in forensics in 2010, but I think my fondest memory was HFO in January. It's a tournament I had never done well at in the past, and always seemed like the pro bowl for forensics. Individuals who have big names and talent always seem to do well there, and to see so many of my teammates do well at that tournament and scoring a fifth place trophy was incredible. Something just clicked that weekend, I broke 4 of my 5 events to finals (including impromptu, as much as Karen Morris will deny it) and was able to share the stage with Dylan Jambrek getting 1st and 2nd in Persuasion. 2010 had other forensic accomplishments, I finally realized my long term goal of a national final, and IOC was incredible as well, but there was something about HFO that I'll never forget. It was walking between finals, UT-Austin's campus was quiet, it was 70 degrees in January and the sun was going down over the capital building. Whenever I think of that memory I always smile. It's a good one.

I'm slowly realizing that writing a blog about how awesome the past year was makes me sound pretty conceited, but I'm not writing this to brag, I'm writing it to remember and celebrate how fortunate I've been in 2010.

Mean Streak, the coaster I worked on.

I graduated college in four years. That was pretty cool too. The ceremony was hot and long and all I can remember is live tweeting to pass the time and giving a dumb grin to the camera company that was trying to pinch me for more money (as if I hadn't given the University enough money in 4 years!) After the ceremony and incredible grad party I packed the car and drove to Sandusky, Ohio for one last adventure before joining the real world. I was there for 3 weeks, but looking back it was a pretty positive learning experience, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I rode so many roller coasters in those three weeks, and that was pretty damn cool. I also finally got to see what an amusement park employee does and how everything works behind the scenes. I also learned how not to treat employees (and how to as well) and what makes a good respectable manager. Most importantly, I made a few friends that I wouldn't trade for anything. Not many of you know some of the people I met in my short time in Sandusky, but I really wouldn't trade that time for anything. I went back to Ohio for a couple days at the end of summer to meet up with those friends. The worst part of Cedar Point was the way they treated their employees. If I was 17, I don't think I would have had any problems with how things worked, but being 22 I think I have the right to have friends overnight where I live, or be able to have a bottle of wine. The rules given to employees and their personal lives was ridiculous, which is why when I went back to visit I had to climb under a fence (destroying a woot shirt and giving me bear attack like scars on my back in the process) just to stay the night in a friend's room.

I went home to work at West Allis Memorial Hospital in the OR. I met two of the greatest people in the process. Both Tony and Jamie were in their 40s and had families, and they taught me more about life than I ever could have ever expected. I learned about politics in the work place, how to deal with drama, and that if my dreams ever wear out becoming a medical equipment salesman is a very lucrative position to have. I also got to reconnect with Sam Simonson, a great friend from high school and college. I went out with him and his friends quite a few times over the summer, and explored his apartment complexes pool a few more times than I expected to.

Perhaps the most important thing to happen in 2010 was the call I got in early August. I remember being at work ordering medical equipment when I saw my phone buzz with an unfamiliar number. Right before I was able to answer, the phone went black and I missed the call. 5 Seconds later I realized the call was from England, and it was the call I had been waiting for over 6 months to receive. About 30 minutes later the same number called back, and after a 5 minute conversation I was employed with a real job. Tony was in the room when I took the call, and he knew right away. He had been encouraging me the entire summer with this job opportunity, and he instantly chest bumped me when I hung up the phone.

Ferris Wheel at Chessington World of Adventure

Now I'm working for the second largest amusement company in the world next to Disney. Every six months I change locations and have been working in Times Square since September. Looking back a year from now I could have never seen any of this coming. 2010 was a year of extreme change for me, a year that will no doubt be remembered as one giant adventure. Leaving one part of my life and starting a brand new one. Accomplishing numerous goals while setting even more difficult ones in the future. Meeting loads of new people from different parts of the world and learning what it means to live in the real world by jumping straight into the largest city in the United States. Things haven't always been easy, and they shouldn't be. The world isn't the nicest place to live in sometimes, but it allows us to make mistakes a learn from them. It allows us to appreciate the things we do have and the things we do accomplish.

I will never forget 2010.

El Toro Rocks.

Oh, and probably the most important thing about this past year. I added 30 new roller coasters to my count, including my first international coasters. I've added loads of new coasters to my Top 10, including a brand new #1 wooden coaster, El Toro. There was a topic in a coaster dork forum I post in about 2010 coasters. Here was my response:

First Park of 2010: Valleyfair
First Coaster: High Roller
Last Park of 2010: Six Flags New England
Last Coaster: Bizzaro
Best new to me Coasters of 2010: El Toro and Bizarro
Worst Coaster: Mind Eraser (SFNE)



With that said. Bring on 2011.