Like most of you, any given year is usually filled with many events which help to define it when we look back. Occasionally, we have years that are dominated by very few specific events. It’s that sort of year that 2009 has been for me. When I look back I really only see two events. To me, they are equally as big, though to others one will seem large and the other not quite so large.

Two Thousand Nine

Obviously, for me, this is the year of Terminator. When the year began I was doing a podcast and writing reviews. Starting in April, I found myself starting on a yet-to-be-completed project of writing scripts for a virtual third season of the too-soon-cancelled show, Terminator – The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Every two weeks (or so) I write and post a new hour-long teleplay of The Connor Wars for fans of TSCC to enjoy. As 2009 closes, Episode 20 is soon to be posted.

This became an unexpected full-time project for me. Everything else was put on the back-burner in service of one person pushing out scripts on a regular basis. Well…not everything was put on the back-burner.

In June, I had a reunion with the first person I’ve seen from high school since I left the DC area in 1990. It was just for a few hours, and in a year filled with cyborgs, plasma rifles, and unrelenting conflict, most wouldn’t think it all that significant. A dinner and a chat. For me, it was big. An oasis.

Twenty Ten

A lot of people make resolutions during the year-to-year transition. Me…not so much. I do make some plans. Usually I follow through with them; sometimes not. Let’s see what 2010 has in store for me.

First, of course, I need to finish up The Connor Wars. The season will be done by the end of January, and the story will be completed by very early Spring (probably). After that… barring any professional offers, I’ll be returning to normal life.

Normal life means pruning trees, painting some of the house exterior (as well as doing some procrastinated maintenance), and painting a few rooms. I have that annoying textured, “popcorn” ceiling that makes interior painting such a joy.

I’ll be getting back to committing random acts of art. I very much need to get back to having work hanging on gallery walls with the mercenary intent of making money. Honestly, I hate seeing my art go elsewhere, but it must be done. I have a living that needs to be earned.

Speaking of which… I’m seriously considering releasing my SF novel, Que Sera Serees, as a POD offering. I need to finish a final proof of it, but I hope to have it available sometime early in the year.

After that… I’m hoping for some time to “play”. As much as I’ve enjoyed writing the scripts — it’s the most fun I’ve ever dreamed of having writing — there has been a cost. While a good part of writing, to a non-writer, looks a lot like sitting in a chair and starting into blank space, it is, in fact, quite taxing to be creating a separate reality. For the most part, it’s all-consuming until a project is completed. The price has been free time.

So… while much of 2010 is expected to be in the “toil” category, it’s expected to be a variety of somewhat flexible, mostly physical toil. With 2009 being a year of self-indulgence, 2010 will bring me back into the world…hopefully rejuvenated. As a result, expect a return to the near-daily blog posts here at T I B. The art site will be getting a new look, and T I B will likely follow suit.

We will be returning CJ to his normal life shortly. Stay tuned….