2011 in Review

OK so 2012 has begun, so with that, here's a Top 5 list of what 2011 brought me:

1) Getting married. This should be no surprise, surrounded by friends and family (even though some were missing and we'd have loved to have seen them) it was a great day and more fun than I could have possibly expected. Having people make such an effort to be there for us meant so much, and making official my desire to spend the rest of the days with the girl I love was an unbeatable day. (It also featured a stellar soundtrack)

2) Cardinals win World Series #11 in 2011. This was the most improbable run to the Championship that I've ever seen, and in any other year, would be the #1 highlight of the year. Everyone knows the details by now, and if you don't, well then, I'm not going over it again. David Freese swung himself into legend, Tony LaRussa worked magic and fostered belief, and if we had to lose him, it was the best end for Pujols in Busch.

3) Seeing Robert Plant at Jazzfest/Soundgarden at Bluesfest. The greatness of Zep has never been in doubt, and having a chance to hear the voice live was something I wasn't about to pass up, and it surpassed expectations, especially with a number of Zeppelin tunes and a stellar, absolutely cracking back-up band. (The fantastically named Band of Joy). I rode the high of that show all the way until my next show...Soundgarden. Soundgarden was probably the closest thing we had to Led Zeppelin growing up, heavy, loud, and great. Whereas they were always lumped in with the grunge sound, they were always just that little bit more heavy than the rest. Seeing them live was a borderline unbelievable experience, hearing the heavy rotation from my high school and university days live in all its LOUD glory. They were a sonic force, and combined with the Robert Plant show barely 10 days before, was the greatest 1-2 punch of shows I'll ever see, at least for a while. (It will be hard pressed to beat, considering Soundgarden was broken up, and Robert Plant is Robert Plant.)

4) Meeting little Reena Mehta. Cutest 6lbs I've ever held. This was really the year where babies took over. This was the only one we met this year, but both my best men and their wives are expecting babies in the Spring, so I'm very excited for both of them. I look forward to enjoying watching friends grow into fatherhood and motherhood in the years to come. I might even join them sometime.

5) Spending my first Christmas with my wife in St. Louis with my dad's family, just as he spent his first Christmas with my mother in St. Louis 30+ yrs ago. It was fun to experience a midwest Christmas (50 degrees Farenheit on the 25th doesn't constitute cold, no matter what anyone says). I went to the Schwier Family Christmas Party on Christmas Eve, and got to hear stories about my dad as a kid, and to hear just how much he was missed there, even though he'd not lived in the country for over 40 years. Then Boxing Day was spent with the other half of dad's family, relaxing again and hearing lots of great family stories. Best of all was the time spent with my soon to be 88yr old grandmother, who's still sharp as a tack, but as my only remaining grandparent, one who I cherish still having a chance to spend time with and knowing that she enjoys it as much as I do.

So, it might not seem big or flashy, but those were the highlights of my 2011. All the best to everyone for 2012.