Honestly in 2008 I accomplished some great/incredible things. For one I learned a huge lot more than I did the year before. I had some GREAT opportunities. I performed for friends, for strangers. 2008 has been one of the best years for me.
On the learning note, I finally went to a real magic shop that has great lecturers( Wayne, soon to be Aaron) and have made some great friends. The shop owner Steve, has helped me become a better card handler(Magician, etc.) He has given me performance tips, help on patter, shown me to many more doors, and answered so many many questions I made him endure.
Another things this year has been great for is getting more courage to perform. In March, I went to the other side of the Country for a "People to People Leadership Conference" because I was nominated by on of my great teachers. There I performed for kids my age, who are now some of my great friends. That alone gave me a lot of courage to perform more, practice and get better.
Also, I guess being a member of Dnd, and t11, and even DN for a long time and showing my "knowledge" so many new members have come to me, asking for help, giving friends requests, and it's all quite flattering. But I hope to help many more members in the coming year.
One of the greatest things of 2008 was the communities. Especially Decknique. There I have gotten help, the members are nice (most of the time) there thoughtful and some are caring. Everytime I got on mebeam (back when it worked) I didn't have a camera but I could always ask people in the room on camera;s for help of a flourish move, or even a magic move. They were always helpful. Only recently I have gotten a new Computer with a webcam. I have been on Stickam and mebeam to finally "jam" with other flourishers.
In the past few days, even with a new webcam, I have made great friends. Some older (Abe) and others my age (Morten, Wilson, etc.) But ALL of them are incredibly nice. While on Stickam for those countless hours, we had random non flourishers come into the decknique room, but only to be impressed and even give us compliments on our flourishes and sleights/tricks. I owe a lot to the communities and in this upcoming year will try to pay back the communites with what I owe them.
Some other members of the communities have also given to the community that it makes me glad to be doing what I am. Though we have rough times, I really am grateful for the wonderful communities.
Damn, that was longer than I thought it would be.
Well I really love these SNC, and I hope you guys enjoy my story =)
Edit: My resolution for 2009 is to give back to the communities, try harder, and make many more friends, while hopefully seeing all the communities (HL, SH, DN, t11, DnD) all help each other to forward this "art." Also, try to help bring the communities together, with les fighting. And choose not to hurt new members, but to help them.