twotoner

So we're just four days into 2009 and now is as good a time as any to look back on 2008. Tough to decide if the year gone by was worse or better than the one that came before it.

The newspaper business continues to suck the life out of me, but not as bad as it has been. At times it has been trying dealing with editors who aren't the the swiftest characters out there. The towns I cover continue to be an ever-increasing pain in my ass, as the people who run them put their own agendas above the good of their communities.

Naturally, the job search is ongoing. Really no secret that everyone who has their name on newsprint is always looking for something better.

Speaking of something better...

2008 was a year which my on-again, off-again four year relationship with a certain young lady ultimately came to a close so she could find just that. Apparently, the hockey lifestyle was just too much for her and she was sick of spending weekend nights alone.

She also accused me of coddling my mother after the death of my father. Told me I had to let mom do things on her own or she'd never learn for herself.

Not that 2007 was a breeze. Dad was diagnosed with cancer in July of that year and was gone by September. The stress of things with him and starting a new job was something she couldn't handle me handling.

I guess I became cold and distant in trying to be a rock for mom and Cori and just shut down emotionally.

Funny that things at work have quieted down and the decision of the league to bring in another linesman has cut down on my games dramatically.

But 2008 hasn't been all that bad in retrospect. The Phillies won the World Series. I also spent a lot of time with some really great people along the way and shared some pretty cool experiences.

Here's hoping 2009 is a bit better than the 731 days which proceeded it.