JediWright.com

Time for some list-making with my first, Top 10 list of the new year.

This is a Top 10 of all my favorites, spanning any and every category. From favorite travel destinations, films, books, websites, events, jobs, and anything else that tickles my list-making fancy. Also, it should be noted that it’s been posted in no particular order.

1. Favorite Trip
I flew into Barcelona after my first European trip and job with The Do LaB in Portugal and did some sight-seeing with Patricio and finally got to see Amanda, meet her husband and otherwise catch up with her life of 10-years there in Europe.

2. Favorite Job With The Do LaB
I think my favorite job with these guys this past year was the one for SpeakerCraft. Everyone kicked ass for weeks in the pre-fab, load-in and setup in Denver at the Cedia Convention. That job was the most taxing in terms of details we’ve yet done and it really showed. It was so much work but in the end it turned out amazingly beautiful.

3. Favorite Live Show
Nine Inch Nails’ show in Baltimore, MD at the Virgin Music Festival was definitely my favorite show of the year. I always love Trent Reznor’s music and his live performances with a band are one of the best. Plus, I got to bring Tristan and my old high-school friend Jesse Buck along too; it was both their first time seeing NIN live.

4. Favorite New Web Service
I think definitely without a doubt, that Posterous was the coolest new web utility service. I discovered it late in the year but have been thoroughly enjoying its use ever since.

5. Favorite New Book
My favorite new read of the year had to be “From Program To Product – Turning Your Code Into A Saleable Product” by Rocky Smolin.

6. Favorite Gift
Definitely without a doubt was Tristan’s handmade pregnant belly cast she made for me at Christmas.

7. Favorite News
No it wasn’t Obama winning, it was the unforgettable news that I was going to have my first child and a son at that. He’s growing nice and strong and due in 3 weeks.

8. Favorite New Album
This is a bit tough but would have to say Booka Shade’s “Movements”. Then Santogold’s self-titled album, followed by Death Cab’s “Narrow Stairs”.

9. Favorite New Movie
Hmm, another toughie but I’m gonna’ have to say Iron Man I think. Tropic Thunder, Batman: The Dark Knight, Speedracer, and a few others were all great too, but I think Iron Man was one of the most well done comic book adaptations yet, and a great first-time effort in one from Robery Downey, Jr.

10. Favorite Activity
Blogging has proven the most enjoyable activity that I’ve pursued this year. My creative pursuits have kind of been up and down a lot over the last few years so blogging has helped to stabilize and fulfill the need for a healthy, consistent outlet of expression. Plus, I received my first check in related advertising.

Ball Drop

Originally uploaded by JediWright

New Year’s Eve celebrations are a dime a dozen, especially in cities ’round the world. House parties with friends are probably the most common here in the States, next to major towns and cities hosting public celebrations.

This year, er last year, Tristan and I spent our night with my brother Ben and his girlfriend Jen, our step-brother Justin and his girlfriend, and some of our friends, totaling just 11.

We were the first to arrive, getting to Jen’s parents place around 8:30pm. We took a small soundsystem, some food and drink left-over from my 30th bday party (love me some recycling in any way possible . The other guests started showing up not long after.

We had a nice selection of beer thanks to my bro and a great spread of food by Jen. We chatted about relationships, politics, law, beer, the house we were hanging in, our accident from earlier that day, and a host of other random subjects.

We probably had our most fun though when playing Taboo – good ol’ slapstick fun. Or whatever. Not quite my normal activities compared to the last 6-7 years’ celebratons, but still a good time.

Last year we dropped by Tristan’s sister Olivia’s place for a drink and then headed off to our last major Green Sector party, which was held at Creativity in Venice. That was an okay time, but it too was pretty low-key.

Seems like things are mellowing out, year after year. I think everyone’s just so overstimulated these days that not much is super-exciting. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed myself last night. But part of me always craves for the big lights/soundsystems/crowds/etc.

Maybe next year will be that all-out-year, if The Do LaB does another NYE event; their last was back in 2004.

No matter what though, that transition will always retain some measure of magic and excitement. Change is an awesome thing.

Happy New Year!

p.s. The rest of my pics from last night are up on my Flickr now.

I just took a quick look and count of the year in blogging here on my blog and see that I’ve posted 97-times (not including this…my 98th . Not bad, not super-prolific, but still a decent count for my first determined year to represent my life, times and thoughts here consistently.

I’m very eager to press onwards in 2009 with all the new mediums I’ve enabled over the year: Flickr, Instinct phone, Posterous, etc.

I’ve still got a few things to configure but am comfortable moving ahead with what I’ve got enabled, as they stand now.

My biggest goal here in the coming year is to really widen the breadth of content I post here. I’ve really wanted to amp up my writing, in terms of detail, content, etc. and have yet to break through to another level of writing. And on a related note, hope to cultivate a greater following in readership and commentators.

I also hope to increase the size of my Adsense checks and the frequency with which they arrive.

I’m confident I’m on the right track building my readership and cultivating greater skill and interest here. Connected social network outlets like my Facebook and Tribe profiles are furthering my efforts in this.

As blogging and its culture, technology and general popularity continue to grow and evolve, I’m confident that I’ll continue on the same path. I look forward to the journey.