kartooner.com

I’ve noticed that web folks are diligently recapping the events that occurred to them in the year 2006.

Always willing to follow suit when it comes to tradition, it’s no surprise to me that last year was one of the more plentiful years in my lifetime. There were many experiences that I’ll cherish for a lifetime and those can be attributed in most cases to the friends that I met for the first time (in person, and not through a computer screen) at SXSW.

Bear with me, as I’ve got a plethora of info to cover, but also know that while it’s intentionally “wordy” it’s also pretty meaningful to me.

To recap:

• My son, Quinn Harrison, was born February 9th, 2006. I remember receiving the call while I was at work from my father-in-law informing me that I needed to make a mad dash to the hospital. He didn’t use “mad” or “dash”, but I certainly didn’t need any more convincing. Quinn is a joy to have around–as is our daughter Zoe–and while they drive us a bit batty sometimes, it’s worth it.
• I also transitioned to a new job with new hours, after being let go from a job I held for close to 3 years. It wasn’t the easiest move to make, but turned out just fine in the end. If anything, it allowed me to spend more time with my kids and that to me is more important than anything.
• Going to SXSW ‘06 was a treat for sure. Meeting many talented, funny and down to earth people made me realize that deep down we’re all in the same boat. Honorable mentions, or shout outs, go to Jonathan Snook, Dave Seah, Eric Shepherd, Robert ‘The Swede’ Nyman (who carried on the tradition of calling me ‘Sagen’, passed down many generations no thanks to the US military), Nathan Smith, Joshua Lane, Zach Inglis, Derek Featherstone (thanks for the Star Wars arcade time) and many, many others. This year will be the first time that I’ll be participating on a panel with the likes of Dan Rubin, Anton Peck and Glenda Sims. (more to follow on that)
• Tragically, however, my mother passed away at the age of 45. It came as quite a shock to my brother and I as we had no clue that she was so sick. For the both us, it was a heartfelt and coming-of-age experience shared with our sister whom we’ve had little contact with over the years, or I should say not as much contact as we’d like.
• As a family we traveled once again to California (our old stomping grounds) to visit friends and family. It was too short but full of meaning and good memories to boot.
• Towards the end of the year my daughter Zoe turned 3 years old, proclaiming, every hour of every minute of every second of the day, that it was indeed her birthday. She even let complete strangers know of her wonderful day.

In the end, 2006 was pretty eventful and a year I’ll remember for a long time. I’m crossing my fingers and scrunching my face that 2007 will be just as good and alongside that thought that I’ll meet many others and continue pursuing my personal goals in life.

To my readers, thank you for staying with me this long (yes, you know who you are) and interacting with what I have to say. You, alone, have made this site something completely different than what it originally was supposed to be.

I hope every one of your resolutions came true last year, and that those you’ve set this year will carry you along.