2014: A Good Year

Ups? Yes. Downs? Yes.

This has been one of the most interesting years. And in all reality, there have been some firsts this year.

I mean, not only did I go to my first con (Fantasy Con), I got to go to 2 cons this year (Yay for Salt Lake Comic Con!) And hopefully I'll get to go to FanX next month (and spend all my time in the artist's alley because, let's be honest, it's just so awesome.)

For me, it seems like this year had two themes: Doctor Who and Batman.


From January through July, my wife and I spent a lot of our time watching the 7 modern seasons (series, whatever) of Doctor Who. Transitioning from Eccleston to Tenant to Smith to Capaldi. And then we spent Augsut-November enjoying(ish) the new season. And then there's all my blog posts about the Doctor as well as the podcast (which we'll get back to in 2015.) And of course, I've taken my new obsession to a different level where I've gone and watched classic Who and have taken on an appreciation for Hartnell, Troughton, and Baker. Jon Pertwee has grown on me and I haven't gotten to Davison, the lesser-liked Baker, and McCoy really. I did watch McGann's film and really appreciate it for what it was.

This year also re-awakened my obsession of my favorite childhood superhero: Batman. I finally got around to watching The Dark Knight Rises earlier this year (loved it, actually). Then I borrowed and read the Hush series from Joe. I also bought myself a Batman keychain. This year, I received 4 Lego Batman sets as well as a tissue box holder my wife made for me, a tumbler, and a dollar store action figure from my daughter for Christmas. And despite it's gruesomeness, I've enjoyed watching Gotham, with Alfred being portrayed by the 3rd Doctor's son, Sean Pertwee. (Oddly enough, I wish he was the current doctor of Capaldi, but his kick-butt style of Alfred is awesome to watch.)

Even though I spent a lot of time on watching my geek obsessions this year, 2014 has had some good lessons in it. I've learned that it's okay to be childlike. There's a little boy in me who has always loved Batman and WWE and it's okay. He doesn't have to suddenly stop appreciating those things because he's older and more mature. It's helped that I have weekly meetings with a Batman-obsessed bishopric.

I've learned that as much as I enjoy numbers and analyzing and what not, I need a creative outlet. Whether it's writing or sketching, I need to be able to do something that requires creativity.

I've learned that I don't have to get over something to move on. The best example of this was when it was my mother's birthday. It was my saddest day of the year, by far. I was able to take a moment to be by myself and speak out to her while tears streamed down my cheeks. Yes, it's been over 12 years since she passed. And even though some years come and go without issue, this year just seemed to be more difficult on me. And you know what, that's okay. There's nothing wrong with that. But at the same time, I'm so happy to have had her in my life. And I'm even more happy when my oldest wants to talk about her. There's a special bond that my daughter feels toward the grandmother she's never met in this life. It's beautiful.

So...moving on. This has been a year of ups and downs, like any other year. And like any other year, I hope to appreciate the joys that the ups have given me as well as appreciate the lessons the downs have taught me.

Alien abductions are involuntary, but probings are scheduled.