Best & Worst Events of 2006 in the life of The James

Here's a quick compilation of the highlights (both good and bad) from last year for me. Looking back and analyzing things can give one a clearer mindset to interpret the road ahead, or at least make it easier to set up new goals, and that is the purpose for this post, along with recognizing and crediting some people for things that are important to me...something that I should do more concurrently. Let's start with the best and work our way down to the worst:

Best Moments of 2006 (Listed chronologically, not in any other significance):

1. Directing "Harvey" for the 2nd time at OPHS (Feb): It's not just because this is my favorite play of all time, or sentimentally because it's the first play I ever directed, but because it was a farewell, or last hurrah of one of my most talented and impressive collection of Imagination Players Troupe members since the founders left a few years back. Matt M, Matt W, Rachel W, Jarrell F, Hollie B, Kaitlyn G, Rachel M, and Lazenby...thank you for making it such an enjoyable experience, and know that you are all missed.

2. Running the Gate River Run in Jacksonville, FL...and surviving (March): I'm not a runner, don't claim to be, but am one who occasionally runs. I've always been into lifting and Scottish Heavy Athletics, but I did used to play soccer so running wasn't entirely foreign to me. In fact, my former answer to the question "Do you run?" used to be "Only when chased..." That changed when my mentor at OPHS, Mr. Combs laid down the gauntlet to me about running the River Run. He coached me on my training, and soon I developed 3 goals for said 15k (9.3 miles) race: 1) I wanted to live, 2) I wanted to finish the race, & 3) I wanted to do it in under 2 hours. These might not seem like impressive goals to some of you, but to a guy who had never run more than 2 miles before the training...it seemed like a lot. The good news is...I lived, finished, and did it at about 1:58:37 or so the newspaper said. Look for my results this year in the paper...

3. Reconnecting with the Lisas (March/Dec): I'd hate to jinx this, but I did reconnect with a pair of ladies who were some of my closest friends in the 80's and 90's, and only during this decade have we fallen out of touch...mostly due as usual, to me. Both named Lisa/Lise Fisher, and best friends and roommates, they were satellite members of the Fisher clan who were my second family growing up. Running into them at MegaCon last year was awesome, and then hanging out a little with Lisa at Christmas this year was enough to make some informal plans about visits for this year. Hopefully, this will turn out...my friends that I actually trust are always a short, exclusive clientelle, but unfortunately it only gets smaller...

4. All trips to Atlanta to stay/hang out with the Laytons & Crew (All year...probably more often than the Laytons would like): This proves to be an annual highlight on this list, but I have to mention it nonetheless. For some reason, Eric and Mimi Layton don't seem to mind me coming up to their place in Atlanta periodically and staying for a weekend. Many people think seeing me once in their lifetime is more than enough, but not these two. It's a testament to their graciousness and empathy towards a soulless, single, narcissistic guy like myself that I'm welcome, and actually feel "comfortable" in a world not of my own making. I'm usually travelling with John Higashi, and we ordinarilly include some other regulars in Atlanta there also (Brian, Stine, etc...) in eating, drinking (usually me and too much), and watching an independent flick at the Tara Mark Theatre on Cheshire Blvd. It's always a highlight to me, and one I look forward to again with great anticipation.

5. The 2006 World Cup (June/July): If you don't know what a huge soccer fan I am, then you don't know me. I think 1986 was my first World Cup, and I remember watching Argentina, Italy, and Brazil at my Aunt & Uncle's trailer in Middleburg. When I was a kid I played soccer for 5 or 6 years, and went to several of the Jacksonville Tea Men games, when we had a professional soccer team in the now defunct NASL. Fast forward to 1994 and I watched 48 out of 52 games in the World Cup when it was held here in the U.S.A., and even watched our International Squad take on Moldavia in a friendly after the Cup. It's always been a passion of mine, and the creation of the MLS in USA hasn't taken the edge off of the intensity that I get when World Cup gets closer. It truly is the World's Sport, and the Beautiful Game...nothing, not NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB nor any other sport even comes close. It's my dream to one day get to see a real World Cup match...hopefully one day that will happen. Anyway, while USA sucked thanks to Bruce Arena's backpedalling, and it will probably continue to suck since they won't do what's necessary to hire an elite international coach (IE the recent failure with Jurgen Klinsmann), it was nice to watch some of my favorite players play in their final Cup (Zidanne, Beckham, Figo, etc...) and new favorites discovered (Messi, Fabregas, Henry, Tevez). Italy won the show...but watching Zidanne up until he went nuts in the final with the head-butt was like watching art being created in front of your eyes.

6. Teaching A/P English (August to present): This year, OPHS decided to expand the A/P classes and sections taught to include more kids, so I was offered the chance to teach an A/P English 11 class. It was kind of an honor to be recommended, and I took the opportunity. Working with brighter kids is always a plus for me, and I took and passed the A/P English test when I was in school...so I thought "why not." I had no idea of how much I would have to learn as far as the content and material taught on this test...until I attended a 3 day workshop over the summer. It's intense, folks...and the kids? Well, some of the kids are brighter than the average duck...but others are about normal with good attitudes. We'll see how many, if any, of my kids pass at the end of the year.

7. Dragoncon & YOTJ (September): If you didn't know, last year was officially Year Of The James. I know because I dubbed it so myself, accidentally, and it caught on. People were saying it in communications back and forth that I wasn't even a part of...and Brian Stelfreeze, Artist Extraordinaire, was signing his emails with YOTJ. It all goes back to me declaring that '06 would be my next time to acquire a piece of Stelfreeze original art, to complement my previous pieces of black & white and watercolor pieces. It was supposed to happen at Dragoncon, and I had no clue of what to expect. To say that I was surprised when Eric and Mimi, John Higashi, and Brian wore T-shirts with YOTJ, my picture stolen from MySpace at last year's River Run, and images of my watercolor pieces from Brian, on them would be an understatement of my genuine shock, and the sincere humbleness I felt at this unexpected and moving gesture of their affection for me. Likewise, I was both shocked and moved by Brian's artwork...both pieces. My choice was Ra's Al Ghul, and Brian had pre-done a black & white piece, and did a watercolor piece during the show. It capped off an already awesome weekend at my favorite show to attend every year. Somehow, and for some reason unbeknownst to me...I was blessed with amazing friends. I hope they know how much I appreciate them, and what YOTJ '06 meant to me. Can't wait for the next YOTJ...

8. The Wire Season 4 on HBO (September to November): I love good drama, and if you didn't read my Best Shows Returning to TV post a couple of months ago...The Wire was at the top. The writing was the highest calibre, the acting, the direction...this show is better than all of the other cops shows you've ever seen...and doubled. This season, unbelievably, the show became even better and more complex...focusing subplot attention on a group of inner-city kids, their school, the usual cops/dealers/hoods, and the political arena. This season was also more enjoyable because I could finally talk about it with people who also watched (sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who truly seeks out things that are cool) like Dylan, JJ, Rick, and others. I can't describe the intense satisfaction I gained from watching this season develop, and stay true to the creators' intent. Congrats HBO...now give us those Deadwood films you promised us.

9. The Fox Soccer Channel/English Premier League Soccer (October to present): After watching every World Cup, I go into a heavy Post Soccer Depression. The symptoms are all there...plain as day: food doesn't taste as good, American Football lacks the same intensity, MLS Soccer just isn't enough...and then a miracle happened. I had intended to seek out pubs that catered to European clientelle (was thinking the Beach or 5 Points) and noticed listing for the Fox Soccer Channel. After making inquiries I discovered that it would only be an additional $5 per month, so I jumped on it. Folks...it has been a change in my life so fundamental, that I am almost moved when I talk about it. Every weekend, and sometimes during the week, I tune in to watch the English Premier League play, watch Italian Serie A, Argentinian Soccer, and even Champions League, and the FA Cup. I see the best of the World Cup players playing for their respective professional clubs, and it's so damn awesome. Maybe that's why I'm in a better mood lately than I usually have a right to be. Anyway...this definitely qualified as a highlight on my Best Of List for 2006.

10. Nominated for Teacher of the Year (December): At first I thought this was a joke, but it turned out to be genuine. I was nominated with 3 other people for Teacher of the Year at OPHS. I knew I wasn't going to win (I don't look the part, don't kiss ass, don't network, and don't take enough credit for things I do or claim to do, and I was right...I didn't), but it was "nice" in some ways to be considered. The only reason I even did the ridiculous little interview thing for it was because so many less-than-intelligent people at the school don't consider my department to be a serious entity, worthy of consideration, or "essential" to the curriculum. Congrats to my pal, Kim, for winning...she absolutely rocks, and especially since I voted for her anyway.

11. GCFF VII (December): My annual film festival event just gets bigger and better each year. I was extremely pleased with GCFF VI, and moderately so with VII. We had some glitches this year, but I am endeavoring to learn everything about Powerpoint, Editing, and so on to take more of a "hands-on" approach to the festival's award show finale, and take it to a higher level of coolness next year. Congrats to all my filmmakers this year for making it worthwhile, and especially to Bethany K and Ryan S for writing and directing Grave Silence, this year's Best Film winner.

12. Directing "Amber & Eve" at UNF in Dr. Monteleone's Playwrights Project '06 (December): After writing, directing and acting in last year's Playwrights Project at UNF, I was asked to direct a 1 Act play for the '06 event. Gathering up some former I Troupe members was fairly easy, and it made the experience surreal, nostalgic, wistful, thrilling, enjoyable, and immensely satisfying all simultaneously. I say we kicked some ass, and many others thought so as well. My thanks and my affection pour forth for Sheena, Hollie, Jen, Lazenby, Bad-News Crews, Steve, and Big Mo. I wouldn't have done it if it hadn't been an opportunity to work with you all again.

Worst Moments of 2006:

1. Nominated for Teacher of the Year: All of a sudden people I don't know "know" me, and I hate extra attention...added to the fact that it's a dog and pony show at best, and subjective B/S at worst.

2. Missing HeroesCon in June: I missed my first Heroes Convention in like 9 years or something this past year. I was low on funds since I chose watching the World Cup to be my summer job, and it doesn't pay much in dollars, but infinitely rewards the soul, and I had some family stuff going on, and these things conspired to prevent my attendance. I really like that show, for the art, meeting some of the guests, and hanging out with the crew most of all...and I plan to go back this year.

3. Being Sick for Oct, Nov, and Dec of '06: This totally sucked, since I loathe being sick at all. I was a wreck and just couldn't shake this sinus-infection/flu thing that I had. It prevented me from working out, and made doing the GCFF, directing "Amber," teaching, and pre-production work on "MND" incredibly difficult. Much of that period is a blur to me.

4. Comic Bodega Closing: My pal Dave closed his comic shop, and I lost another cool place to hang out and get comics. I went back to my old shop at Universe, and they are cool...but it's not like hanging with people and talking b/s for an extra hour or two every other week. That's a good comic shop, man.

5. No Money...Paying Off Bills: I had less money this year, since I decided to break the chains of slavery that still operate in this country: Credit Card Debt. I'm paying off stuff now, and unfortunately this leaves funds in a meager state...but I look forward to the day when I only have 1 or two major things taking money out of my check each month. Take my advice people...if you don't have money to pay for it in cash...you don't need it.

So that's it people...more good than bad, although the few bad things felt like forever. '06 was pretty cool, but I'm thinking '07 will be even better.