Busy but Happy

I've been meaning to write another post for days now, and I never seem to find the time. I added my Twitter feed to this, to somewhat make up for my lack of legitimate activity. Life is always hectic during the first two weeks of the month, as we scramble to put together the next issue of Jagazine. This month has the added pressure of being our year-anniversary issue, which we need to have no later than February 4th -- the day of our anniversary show/party/event. Any free time we have goes into planning for that, as well as trying to get the remodeled website up and running. It's been going pretty well, but we need to pick up the pace if we want it all ready by next month.

Aside from Jagazine, I've been shuffling through my day job. Some days are hectic, but most are pretty slow. I've been doing design work for the Husky rescue I volunteer for. This weekend also holds the possibility of taking a road trip to VA to pick up a wolfdog for Howling Woods Farm. That could make for an interesting mini-adventure.

Oh, how could I forget? I've got relatively big, dork news. I purchased a Nikon D90 body! I was going to hold off until Spring, after getting tax money back, but I just couldn't wait. I received a $500 holiday bonus from work, which made buying the D90 less painful. I managed to snag one for $760, and after selling my D60 body for about $300, I made out like a bandit. I didn't have to dip into my savings at all! Total success.

Anyway, I'll probably have an entry comparing the D60 and the D90 once I get more familiar with it. We did a mini photo shoot for Jagazine last week, which was my D90's first big test. The photos came out spectacular. The quality is so much better than what I could get on my D60. It's probably more noticeable for me, because I scrutinize my photos at like, 600% in PSD. But overall, I'm very happy with my purchase.

More blogging to come soon, I promise.

2009 + 1 = 2010

As with many of my previous journals, I think a year wrap up entry is required. Above is a (crappy) photo, taken from the rooftop where I welcomed 2010. That's New York's hazy skyline from Brooklyn.

This year marked changes in myself, and in my friends. Little traumas changed mindsets, relationships began, ended, or even rekindled, friends moved away and came home.

My travels didn't take me too far this year. In early 2009 we ventured to Chaz's Poconos retreat (hence the above photo). A few weeks later we drove to Stockton to visit our friend Ed.

Dan moved to Brooklyn for a few months, which resulted in more NY trips than usual. But it was to be short-lived.

When the weather warmed, we went outside... we hiked Watchung Reservation, Rutgers Gardens and Hacklebarny. We warmed ourselves at Sandy Hook. I accompanied my mom to the old Neshanic flea market that I remember fondly from my childhood.

I saw balloons take flight while volunteering for Howling Woods Farms. Friends and family gathered for South Plainfield's Labor Day celebrations. Dan and I traveled to an obscure Pennsylvania town for GameCore Con. We camped in Wharton State Park with Teresita.

Fall crept up on us, and we kept to our traditions. We hiked more, we visited Ort Farm for pumpkins and cider, and chowed down on Mexican food afterwards.

The day before Thanksgiving, we shared a meal with friends. And the day before X-mas eve, we had our yearly "Eve Eve" party. Dan and I traveled to Massachusetts to film and photograph our musician friends, which was an adventure I won't forget.

This past year cannot be described completely by my travels alone. A great deal of it was shaped by our creation of Jagazine. Despite the struggles to keep the magazine alive, the monthly rush to get everything together and printed, we've made it. Many doors were opened thanks to our little 5 and 1/2 by 8 and a 1/4 publication. We've made some great connections, and friendships. I can really feel the community beginning to grow, and it's exhilarating.

2009 also marked my college graduation and the beginning of my first full-time job. After working from home for several years, I started working in a cubicle for the first time. Two and a half months in, I've learned I definitely need more out of life.

Big things are already in motion for 2010. Thanks to an unexpected holiday bonus, I purchased a $700+ Nikon D90 camera body today. It was tough for me to spend that much, but photography is quickly becoming a big part of my life. It'll be hard for me to sell my D60 body, because I form silly emotional attachments to objects I've loved so much. But the new year means new adventure, and a new camera will only make them better.

Jagazine will be taking off to greater heights this year. We've set some high, but attainable goals. We'll be celebrating our year anniversary in style at the Crossroads, thanks to a new connection and friend, Katie. We're launching a completely remodeled website thanks to another friend, Wallace.

Before I sign off on this entry, I feel I must at least mention some of 2009's let-downs. After all, it's our victories and our failures that shape who we are. The good thing is, I'm having a hard time thinking of the bad, so they must've been greatly outweighed.

Probably our biggest disappointment was the falling-through of Jagafest. It was a learning experience, and we'll surely rise up with our next event and completely obliterate the bad feelings left over.

In 2009, Rob and I grew closer to Dan, and to each other. This is overwhelmingly a good thing, but we had our fights and hurt feelings.

In the winter of 2009, my pool began to collapse. This might seem like a silly thing to be depressed about, especially based on how little I actually swam. Growing up, I spent most of my summer days around the pool. Usually my friends liked it more than I did, but I didn't care. It was there literally my entire life. It sparkled every Labor Day and kept me afloat as I did my summer reading years ago. I remember the excitement of opening it up every summer, and the anticipation of waiting until it was clean to swim in it. I remember swimming with my Nana, my parents, even attempting to take my old cat in with me.

So rest in peace, Kizmann family swimming pool. You served us well and provided countless memories. I know, in the long run, closing you will help my parents save money -- but you will be missed regardless.