Year in Review

I actually have a bunch of stuff I want to blog about, but I haven't taken the time to sit down and compose my thoughts on them yet, so you'll have to wait.

However, you won't have to wait for my 2008 Year in Review post.

Rather than post lists of the best of everything, I will just list Dave's Top Ten Greatest Moments of 2008.

10) I dump my HTC Tilt and buy an iPhone.

I started down the slippery slope a few years ago when I purchased an iPod so I could easily play music in my car. I was quite happy with my purchase, so much so that I bought an Apple TV last year to stream movies for me.

I had always been happy with my AT&T Tilt, but the browsing functionality on the iPhone was tempting, not to mention how well apps were installed on it and seamlessly worked together. As I coughed up 300 bones to pay for my phone, I felt myself pulling down Mr. Jobs' trousers in the process.

If I ended up buying a MacBook next year, I will have place Steve Jobs' nuts fully in my mouth. Let's hope I don't sink that low.

9) I paint two of my spare bedrooms.

My entire house is painted in a mostly neutral, but not that pleasing shade of yellow. I don't really like yellow to begin with, and this one has a matte finish that really seems to absorb the light in the room. Frankly, I think it just sucks in general.

I would love to paint the whole house at once, but time and money preclude that, so instead I'm stuck one room at a time. And the fact that I managed to get two rooms painted this year speaks of my desperation to get this color out of my life.

8) Playing childish pranks on fellow internet users becomes popular (but jumps the shark in the same day).

7) The bottomless party scene in Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.



I can't remember the last time gratuitous nudity was so awesome.

6) Woot shirts.



Finally, I am able to indulge my taste for the strange and quirky. The Greasy Grasp of God, Bats Bats Bats, Now Let Me Get This Straight - there are too many to name!

5) The family pets get upgraded to a larger house.



I've had a 20 gallon aquarium for as long as I can remember. At least ten years. I previously had a bunch of tiger barbs and bala sharks in there, but they eventually died off for some reason. It may have had something to do with the fact that I'd routinely let the tank go without food or cleaning for six months at a time, but we can never be sure.

However, after much nagging and pestering, I was talked into buying a larger aquarium for the few remaining fish. Lo and behold, they received a beautiful 55 gallon aquarium, and a bunch of new buddies were added. I'm sure the fish are happier, and I am too!

4) I manage to land a brief stay in Armenia.



I don't know why Armenia had interested me for as long as it had, but it did. I was able to spend a few days there this summer, along with visiting some other friends along the way. The area wasn't what I expected, but it was still thoroughly enjoyable, and I hope to go again in the near future, this time being able to stay for more than four days.

3) Concerned about the cleanliness of my carpets, we adopt Goomba.



I've wanted a dog for a while, but I was concerned about being able to spend enough time with him, the vet bills, the destroyed furniture, the dirty carpets, and the training. Despite that, I was successfully talked into getting Goomba, and I've loved him ever since. Even if he does still leave me presents on the carpet on occasion.

2) Jenny comes to visit.



I've managed to visit Sweden several times thanks to my friend Jenny, and I've always wanted her to come out here to see what Utah has to offer. Thanks to a huge stash of frequent flyer miles, we were able to make it happen this year, and I had a great time showing her all the oddities that this part of the US has to offer. I hope she's able to return soon.

1) Kate manages to stick with me for nearly a full year.

I was crazy about Kate the first time I saw her, but she was completely unobtainable to me. Somehow circumstances changed in my favor, and we ended up together. She's stuck with me and all my crap for almost a year now, and I hope things will continue this way.