2009 is almost over and I look back on the last year to see how things went. Well it doesn’t really compare to last year, but it wasn’t too bad.

Spent the year here in Doha. I have really enjoyed the job. The students are great and the equipment is great. Working to put all of that together to get the school started here in Qatar seems like an accomplishment. I am glad that it is off to a good start, and I have been very impressed with the quality of the student work.

Made a couple of trips to the states. First in April to check out the Evanston campus and attend NAB in Vegas. Both provided a lot of useful information that was used in preparing the equipment list for here at NU-Q. The second trip was to LA for a week of RED training at their first official REDucation week. Very informative and gave me a great understanding of the RED one cameras that we are using.

Financially the job has been great. I achieved my resolution of getting out of debt. That is a huge weight lifted from my life. I remember how close things were to collapse in 2008, and don’t want to be back there again. Now I need to start saving.

I have learned a lot this year. Learned new programs, audacity, InDesign, soundslides, and others. I became more familiar with Journalism and Cinematography. I am really comfortable on the RED work flow. I didn’t make it to certification classes for Final Cut Studio (almost made it this month), but it looks like I might be able to do that early next year.

Creatively, I have been writing a poem everyday since April, but it hasn’t really felt satisfying. They aren’t very good and just feel like a hassle. I’m on 264, so only about 100 left. I plan on finishing up, but I wish it had lead to the goal of getting the creative juices flowing again. Other than that not much has happened creatively this last year.

I haven’t done much for my health this year. Pretty much staying level, but I need to get better with that.

Probably have to give myself a C+ this year. I’ll have to step it up a notch next year.