Another Year, and I’m Still Here!

So what did I do in 2010?

• I tried playing racquetball again.  My elbow didn’t like it much, so I realized that racquetball is probably out for the rest of my life–at least, right-handed racquetball
• I slept in a burrito during another “Klondike Derby” with my younger son, then slept in a burrito yet again for my older son’s “Denali Base Camp.”
• I performed in a benefit concert for the Syd Riggs Scholarship Foundation.
• I earned my Wood Badge beads.
• I left Symantec and started working for the LDS Church
• My older son turned 16 and started driving, causing a spike in both blood pressure and insurance premium.
• I spent a few days on the Green River, canoeing 68 miles.
• I spent a week in San Diego with my family–a very fun family vacation.
• I camped with my scouts at Camp Bartlett near Montpelier, Idaho
• My younger son got a full set of braces
• I was made a development lead at my new job and was given a new project to work on
• I sold the last Saturn I will likely ever own and I purchased my third Subaru.
• I took the scouts to a “Centennial Camporall” in commemoration of 100 years of Scouting in the United States.  Early morning temperatures were lower than the winter campout in January.
• I shunned NaBloPoMo
• I cooked the perfect Thanksgiving turkey.
• I took up smoking–I smoked a couple of chickens.

What am I planning on for 2011?  A lot more of the same.  Scouting will continue to take up a lot of time.  I’m still enjoying it a lot.  However, tomorrow is younger son’s Birthday, and he won’t be in my troop any more.  I wonder if it will be the same without him.  I’m planning on doing a lot more cycling this year.  I need to get in shape or I’m going to end up on The Biggest Loser someday soon.  So I have several long rides planned, starting in February.  I’m also planning on playing my guitar more in 2011.  I miss making music when I get away from it.

I’m also hoping to learn how to smoke lots of things this year.  Before 2011 is over, I want to feel confident in smoking ribs, turkeys, brisket, and pork shoulder.

This June will be my 20th wedding anniversary.  20 years??  It’s crazy.  I was married shortly after my parents’ 25th anniversary.  There are a couple of family things that I need to focus on this year too.  I only have a couple more years left and my older son will be heading out on his own.  If I don’t focus on the family things now, the opportunity will pass me by completely.

My life is good and I’m looking forward to the opportunities this year will bring.

Disclaimer – The views expressed here are the opinions of DeShawn Smith and do not necessarily reflect the views of Employer Solutions Group or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.