Staying still. Keeping quiet - so as to not wake the beast...

2008 - The Great Beast

I like beasts, so it seemed 2008 was gentler to me than most - but perhaps the bigger beast offspring of 09 won’t be in the near future.

I write these as a nostalgic remembrance of sorts, in order to look back as a wizened old man and smile fondly. So in writing this, it’s not necessary to discus the titanic year 2008 was for most…as it will be solid in memory as the beginning of the next great depression.

But for me it ruled. After a decade of desire, I finally set my mind to learning protools (Audio Software supreme) and, thanks to Aaron Molho tech help…was able to complete my second album, “TWO RED HERRINGS.” This was as “solo” as it gets. I played ukulele’s, guitars, bass, spoons, clapped and sang my way to some of my favorite creations. I like my own music. You won’t find me hiding behind a veil of false humility saying, “I suck,’ nor will you find me thinking I’m an amazing vocalist…I simply like the tunes I hear inside my dome, and thought I’d get them as close to perfect as I could. Since my first album, ONE WRONG STEP was a live creature, I longed for the perfection of editing, as is my way. I made 22 deluxe, canvas-burnt-edged custom albums, stained with age…for those who have actually shown an interest in my music over the last decade.

My two boys continue to rule. Aaron’s speech is quickly getting on track – now he won’t stop talking! Alex continues to be Gymnast supreme as well as big brother deluxe and crazy good student. I wish I was that naturally smart at that age, he’s about 5 years ahead of me already J Soccer is really important to him as well.

My wife Amy and I had a fine year, nothing tragic, nor amazing…just right. Our 10 year anniversary comes up this year, about 15 overall…and the neatest thing, is the safe feeling I have. Amy is like a bed of lavender beneath a nimbus sky. If I had only one word to describe her, and I’ve given this a lot of thought, it would be the humble word: HOME. I only hope my son’s, if they desire so, find a love so sound.

I got a little national exposure thanks to Tyra Banks this year regarding my voice acting. It was a spooky, Halloween spot, go figure :)

I painted a lot of watercolors this year, but made very few masks.
Our game collection grew with Blokus, which thanks to an old friend Lisa Bacon – is now a member of our game room and we play it almost daily.
The boys love the Disney show, Imagination Movers – it’s nice to find a show they both like so much, like “Peep and the big wide world.” Our favorite show, Avatar the last Airbender ended this year, and was so well done it actually brought tears to my eyes.

I'm starting to think Alex and Aaron are me from another dimension..
A.G.M.
January 9th, 2009