Yearly Summaries on thenullpointer.net

2025 Summary

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 18:27:11 -0700

The highlights from 2025—a year of personal victories, home improvements, and Canadian adventures.

1000 Miles: Mission Accomplished

I hit my 1000-mile walking goal around two weeks before the end of the year, which felt pretty damn good. There’s something satisfying about setting an ambitious target and then actually following through on it.

Turns out consistency wins when it comes to walking a ridiculous number of miles. Who knew?

2024 Summary

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 18:27:11 -0700

Here are the highlights from my 2024—a year of adventures, setbacks, and new beginnings.

Hawaii - Mother-in-law Friends (MILFs)

This spring, Miranda and I took both our mothers to Maui. The acronym was too good to pass up.

Hawaii had been at the top of my mom’s bucket list forever, so when Miranda suggested making it a multi-generational trip, I knew we had to make it happen. It turned out to be one of those perfect vacation experiences you remember for years.

2023 Summary

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 18:27:11 -0700

The standout moments from 2023—a year defined by staying put, milestone celebrations, and deepening relationships.

Staying in One Spot

For the first time in years, we didn’t move in 2023. 😂

This was primarily because Miranda threatened my life if I even suggested it. Secondarily, because Mason and Sophie would have been thoroughly confused by yet another relocation. And finally, because all the uncertainty that drove our 2022 move was still very much a thing throughout 2023. 🔮

2022 Summary

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 18:27:11 -0700

The major chapters from 2022—a year of unexpected moves, heartbreaking goodbyes, and joyful new beginnings.

Moving (Again)

We bought a house in Renton, WA, marking our return to the central Puget Sound region after just one year in Bellingham.

While our Bellingham adventure definitely “paid off” in many ways, it didn’t unfold quite as we’d imagined. Why did we decide to move back so quickly?

gestures broadly at everything happening in early 2022

2021 Summary

Fri, 31 Dec 2021 18:27:11 -0700

The defining moments of 2021—a year of bold moves, career changes, and ongoing pandemic challenges.

Moving

We bought a house in Bellingham, WA, trading city life for something altogether different.

I’m excited to explore everything Bellingham and Whatcom County have to offer. After eighteen years in Seattle and King County, this represents a significant change of pace—one that feels both necessary and invigorating.

2020 Summary

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 20:31:11 -0700

The most surreal year of our lifetimes—defined entirely by a global pandemic that changed everything.

COVID-19 - In the Beginning

COVID-19 dominated every aspect of 2020. That’s not hyperbole—it literally reshaped how we lived, worked, and related to each other.

While no country handled the pandemic perfectly, the United States’ response can only be described as a catastrophic failure. President Trump and the federal government dismissed it as a hoax for months, while many states—primarily those led by Republicans—refused to implement basic social distancing or quarantine protocols even as their death tolls skyrocketed.

2019 Summary

Tue, 31 Dec 2019 21:18:12 -0700

The adventures and misadventures that defined 2019—from bureaucratic nightmares to outdoor euphoria.

Nexus Passes

Getting our Nexus passes turned into an epic saga involving approval delays, government shutdowns, and snowmageddon.

After multiple reschedulings, we finally had our interview appointment in Blaine. The night before, we obsessively checked weather forecasts for both Seattle and Blaine—everything looked clear. The drive north started perfectly, with cities just south of the border seeing no snow at all.

2018 Summary

Mon, 31 Dec 2018 21:18:12 -0700

The memorable moments from 2018—new family members, tropical adventures, and career pivots.

Family Addition

February brought the newest member of our family: Scrambles, a 10-year-old floofy Maine Coon who immediately captured our hearts.

We rescued Scrambles from a stressful situation, offering her the calm, loving home she deserved. And judging by her behavior, I think she genuinely likes us. 😸

It only took a few years of me bombarding Miranda with cute kitten GIFs to finally wear down her resistance. Persistence pays off! 😻

2017 Summary

Sun, 31 Dec 2017 21:18:12 -0700

The challenging year that was 2017—recovery, resilience, and rediscovering joy in simple moments together.

Road to Recovery

Miranda’s health journey dominated every aspect of 2017.

For at least eight months, our lives revolved around an endless parade of appointments, tests, specialists, and procedures. We still have medical check-ins, but now they’re spaced months apart instead of happening every few days. If this year was challenging for me, I can’t begin to imagine what Miranda endured. She faced everything with remarkable courage and strength—I’m profoundly grateful she’s still here beside me.

2016 Summary

Sat, 31 Dec 2016 22:34:42 -0700

The unforgettable moments from 2016—triumph, adventure, and life-altering challenges that changed everything.

Seattle to Portland

Miranda and I accomplished something incredible: riding our bicycles 204 miles from Seattle to Portland in a single day.

What an achievement as a couple! The months of preparation were intense—our entire spring was consumed by training rides, building endurance, and preparing our bodies for this epic challenge. (Apparently, I hadn’t learned my lesson from 2011.)

2015 Summary

Thu, 31 Dec 2015 19:24:15 -0700

The memorable moments from 2015—wilderness adventures, family growth, and learning when to let go.

The High Divide Trail

Miranda and I tackled the High Divide Trail with my brother-in-law Mark—an epic 18-mile loop through Olympic National Park that definitely tested our limits.

This wasn’t exactly a leisurely stroll, but the payoff was absolutely worth it. There’s something about pushing yourself to the edge of exhaustion while surrounded by that kind of beauty that just puts everything in perspective.

2014 Summary

Wed, 31 Dec 2014 19:24:15 -0700

Sometimes the quiet years are exactly what you need.

Just Grilling

After months of procrastinating about building a proper deck in our yard, we decided to take a more manageable step forward: buying a grill.

That simple decision transformed our entire summer into a season of delicious outdoor cooking and impromptu backyard gatherings.

The Beauty of Ordinary

Looking back, 2014 might seem unremarkable on paper—but sometimes the most valuable years are the ones that don’t demand constant documentation. This was a year of settling in, enjoying simple pleasures, and appreciating the steady rhythm of everyday life.

2013 Summary

Tue, 31 Dec 2013 19:24:15 -0700

The defining moments of 2013—letting go of the past and embracing the future.

Going, Going, Gone!

I sold two of my three major worldly possessions this year: my beloved 2006 Suzuki SV650 and my first-ever house on Ashworth Ave N.

Sometimes life requires you to shed what once defined you to make room for what’s coming next. Plus, I needed the cash for what came next.

Wedding

This summer, I married the woman of my dreams in what can only be described as the most perfect day of my life.

2012 Summary

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 19:24:15 -0700

The highlights from 2012—bold moves, life-changing commitments, and everything falling perfectly into place.

New Job

In June, I left my position with Facilities Services to start fresh with University Services (UW-IT). Sometimes you need to take a leap of faith and hope for the best—here’s to being happier, at least for a while.

Engagement

I got engaged to the most beautiful woman in the world! The move from North Seattle to South Seattle with Miranda marks the beginning of our shared adventure.

2011 Summary

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:17:23 -0700

The defining moments of 2011—meeting my person, embracing new adventures, and achieving the impossible.

New Relationship

The single best thing to happen to me all year occurred on April 17th—the day I met Miranda at the 72nd Street Cafe near Green Lake.

From the moment we started talking, the chemistry was undeniable. After that first meeting, I couldn’t get enough of her company (and still can’t). I can honestly say I’ve never been happier in my entire life. Everything is simply better with Miranda in it.

2010 Summary

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 19:24:15 -0700

A year of significant losses, difficult endings, and one beautiful bright spot.

Work/Family/Relationships

2010 brought a perfect storm of life changes, and not all of them were welcome. Work became increasingly frustrating and unfulfilling. My sister and her family relocated to Virginia, taking away some of my closest family connections. And I ended my long-term relationship when my girlfriend moved back to California.

It was a year of saying goodbye to important parts of my life. 😭

2009 Summary

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:24:15 -0700

A year of major milestones, relationship shifts, and unexpected connections.

Moving

I’m definitely sensing a theme in my life at this point.

I bought a house! It’s simultaneously the most exciting and terrifying thing I’ve ever done. Now I feel completely crushed by the mountain of debt that is my mortgage, but at least I won’t have to move every single year anymore.

Well, at least for the time being. (Narrator: he would indeed move again.)

2008 Summary

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:54:24 -0700

A year of new locations, growing relationships, and adorable new family members.

Moving

Carolynn and I took the plunge and moved to Federal Way together, though I’m still adjusting to feeling somewhat isolated from my Seattle friends.

I continue saving for a house, but despite having stable employment, homeownership feels frustratingly out of reach. Maybe the American Dream isn’t meant for everyone—or maybe I just need to be more patient. (Spoiler alert: patience was indeed required.)

2007 Summary

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 11:54:12 -0700

A year of workplace frustrations, major living changes, and exciting family milestones.

Work

I find myself questioning how much longer I’ll stay with Facilities. The job isn’t terrible, but my lack of control over the websites I’m responsible for is becoming increasingly frustrating. There’s nothing worse than being held accountable for things you can’t actually influence.

Moving

My living situation changed dramatically when Gordy relocated to California, forcing me to find new housing. I ended up moving from Seattle to Auburn to live with my grandparents.

2006 Summary

Sun, 31 Dec 2006 14:44:16 -0700

A milestone year marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of my professional life.

Graduated from UW

I graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science in Informatics—a moment that meant more to my family than I initially realized.

I’m the first person in my family to graduate from a four-year institution. While others have earned Associate degrees from community college, I’m the trailblazer with a bachelor’s degree. There’s something both humbling and empowering about being the first to reach this particular milestone.