A new year is upon us. What will go down in the history books as the year of ______ has just started. Of course that blank will be filled with numerous different photos, headlines and names. Some we know, some we don't. Ten years from now what will be the biggest thing remembered about 2009? What decisions will people shake their heads at and what will they cheer about? We've got 365 days to figure that out.

This is a shot of my desk. The first photo I've taken in 2009. I didn't move anything around. I just grabbed my camera and took a shot because I think it captures what my life is right now. A lot of different interests, passions and goals that I want to pull together.

You may not see them all, but I can see my microphone, my new video camera, the latest Bentley University magazine, a DVD on Annie Leibovitz that I can't wait to watch, the new calendar with philosophy from Abe, a Gamefly rental, my moleskine that contains everything I'm working on and my wallet. I can also see some Akoha cards, my iPhone, a to do list for work and a copy of the Biddy Christmas Album. Everything makes me think of something else that I want to accomplish in the coming year. Each has it's own story to tell that I wonder what I'll look back at and shake my head or laugh about.

I've got a nice mix of personal and professional goals for the new year. I really have three main areas I want to focus on.

1. The continued growth and success of The Advance Guard.  We had a great 2008, but I want to continue to push on to bigger and better things in 2009. There are a lot of companies of all sizes that can use our help and I want to work hard to find them and make them happy clients. Plus, I want to make sure that our current clients continue to find success in the work we deliver.
2. Live a more active, healthy life. This isn't just another new year's diet. That doesn't work for anyone. I want to focus on being more active. Getting out of the chair and out into the woods or on the lake down the road. Rumors of new hiking boots and a kayak are highly possible truths.
3. Create more and better quality content. First and foremost this focuses on my photography. I want to take more, learn more and get better at it. I also want to produce more video. Editing has always been my least favorite part of the process, but I want to learn the basics and create more. Finally I want to continue to produce Managing the Gray and Accident Hash. People still seem to enjoy both and I love doing them. I also have at least one new writing project and perhaps another audio one in the works that I'm hoping to breath life into.

Those are really my three main focuses for this year. I hope to look back a year from now and nod my head in agreement that I focused and succeeded in each of them. At the end of the day that is the real goal isn't it?

Happy New Year everyone.