Things don't always as planned, do they?

Well, it's been almost a month since I posted last. I had stated that I would give a best of 2009 or some sort of recap, but that has yet to happen. Many reasons came into play of the 'whys' and 'hows' of that came to be, but to be honest, By the end of the year my brain was kinda fried.
2009 was an incredible year for me and while it had it's ups and downs, it was overall one of the best, if not THE best year for me. Kim and I had our share of problems, just as any relationship does, and even in the darkest moments, I kept faith that things would work themselves out. Even if things hadn't gone the way I hoped, I knew that somehow it would be what was best. In the end, here we are in 2010 and we're still together.
We started 2009 on a high note, and it carried thru most of the year that way. We spent some great weekends together and shared many great life experiences together. We had problems and tests just like any relationship does and thru it all, we found a way to make things work. I trust her with my life and while I'm sure she'd say "Thanks, no pressure there..." ( in a playful way, of course ) she knows that when I say that I mean it, and that there IS no pressure from me. I don't expect anything more than she can give when she can give it. That's what works for us, and I'm happy for it.
My racing took all kinds of twists and turns. This was the 1st year with the Corvette, and it was a STEEP learning curve. I THINK I managed to make the most of it, and while there was alot accomplished, there's still tons to learn. I had a great co-driver to push me plus I had some great 'special' co-drivers thru the season to sit in and not only give me a critique of the car's setup, but also of my driving and places to work on. I made some GREAT new friends and contacts thru the year as well. I hope that those continue to grow with time and become even better.
I finally was able to trust and push the car, and while sometimes the outcome wasn't great, I don't regret a minute of it.

Moving on to 2010 there was already big changes afoot.
With the car, I found that there would be no permanent co-driver this year, and with the economy the way it is, I won't be doing as many events as I'd like, but the truth is, I think I need to spend some time away more this year. I have spent the past 4 years now basically living at the tracks all over and I want to see more of the world.
That started shortly after the new year started. I went on my 1st cruise ever with Kim and her son. It was incredible. The weather wasn't as nice as we'd hoped for, but for ME I was happy that I was away from work, with no cell phone, no emails, and no outside world. We got to see some beautiful scenery and experience what life is like ( on a tame scale ) outside of the comfy US. We truly DO take for granted just how good we have it here. Simple things that we never think of are a big deal other places.
I had a great time not only because of where I was, but more importantly WHO I was with. Kim is a pro at cruises and it wouldn't have been as fun without her at my side. Most things in my life are that way... sure they are fun, but without her there to share it with me, it's just not the same.

Kim and I have a bit of an agreement... that I will try new foods as much as possible. I TRY to try 1 new thing when I visit her, but that doesn't always happen. I DID eat something that I never had before over the weekend. I had tried some that she had made a while back, and when we were out for a banquet for her Corvette club, I ate some more. It's baby steps, and while it's nothing earth-shattering of what I ate, it was a big deal to me.

2010 is all about me stepping outside of my comfort zone more. Life is too short.

I'm working on other aspects of me... like some of my insecurities about myself and life, and those will take some more time. Like most of us, I have my own issues that I need to work on. My mind plays games with me and makes things seem different than they really are. Most of that is due to some past life experiences and being hurt or 'taken for a ride' by less than honest people. It's hard to break those feelings. It only takes one bad thing to ruin you and 100 good ones to negate that one thing.
So much of what we allow to get under our skin and fester for no reason can easy be dissolved if we keep our minds and hearts clear and NOT read too much into things. Like just about anything else, if we're willing to TALK about something, 99% of the fears, concerns, problems, etc... can be worked out and made to make more sense. Doesn't always work, but it is better than letting that nagging thing in the back of your mind build into something so big and nasty, that one day you just can't 'deal with it' any longer and you let it come between the things you want in life.
It's not fair to yourself, or anyone else that you're around.

If anything has been learned in the 1st month of 2010, is that life is uncertain and anything can happen. Don't take it for granted and lay back thinking that things will take care of themselves.

So, moving on to the rest of 2010... may you all have great fortunes and don't squander the gift we all have... life. So far, it appears this is the only one we get, so make it count.