My 2013 Year in Review

Every year, Facebook offers you the option of cruising through all of your posts and determining what were the most important moments of your life, in the past 12 months. You know who knows more about my life than you do, Facebook? I do. Here's my 2013 Year in review.

The biggest thing that happened to me in 2013 happened at the very beginning of the year, as I made the move to Bismarck. I had spent the past seven months at a station in Missouri, which I quickly decided was not where I wanted to be. So, I applied for a bunch of gigs, went on a few interviews, and decided that Bismarck was the place I wanted to be.

I started at 96.5 The Fox on January 3rd, as the station was going through massive changes. We were introducing a new morning show, Free Beer and Hot Wings, and tweaking the format a bit. For the past year, I have uttered the phrase "The New Evolution of Classic Rock" more than I can remember, but it's all part of the gig. I'm excited to continue making 96.5 The Fox one of the best classic rock stations in the country in 2014. I'm also looking forward to more great events and concerts. Having the chance to see B.B King, Styx, REO Speedwagon, and Tesla this year was absolutely awesome.

Outside of my new gig here in Bismarck, the other landmark moments of my life in 2013 involved trips back home and my 30th birthday in Las Vegas.

My first trip back home was Memorial Day Weekend and it was definitely not planned. I had been dating a girl, long-distance, since I had left Michigan back in May of 2012. Things had taken a turn for the worse, so I thought my best option would be to fly home and show her that I was still committed. Unfortunately, she wasn't, and I got to spend an impromptu weekend with my friends. It was a short trip, but any time I have a chance to hang out with my buddies is good by me.

In July, it was off to Vegas. I had never been to Vegas before and my buddy Dustin and I had planned on celebrating my 30th there because....why not? I arrived in Las Vegas on my birthday and it was "Game On!" from the start. My friends picked me up in the airport, in a limo, with a stocked bar. We cruised the strip, drank our weight in alcohol, spent an entire day at the pool, rode a roller coaster, drank some more, saw a comedy show, gambled, more booze, and then I was back on a plane headed to Bismarck. I think the best part about the trip, though, was when Dustin asked me to be the Best Man at his wedding in 2014. Should "Best Man" be capitalized? Whatever.

With Vegas in the books, my next trip home was in October for my buddy Matt's wedding. He had asked me to be the Best Man, as well, which is pretty surprising...considering how many people dislike me. I decided to drive from Bismarck back to Michigan. 17 hours in a car...alone...isn't exactly my idea of a vacation, but it was definitely worth it. I spent over ten days back in Michigan and was able to see everyone I wanted, plus I stood in the wedding of a friend I've known for over 15 years.  I also had the chance to drink more alcohol than the state of Michigan could supply and go see a Detroit Tigers playoff game. Another successful trip.

My final trip home was a surprise trip, which just happened this week. I had planned on spending Christmas here in Bismarck, but because my sister was returning to Michigan with my niece and nephew, I also decided to return. I didn't, however, inform anyone of my plans. So, December 23rd came and I hopped on a plane back to Michigan, unbeknownst to most of my family and friends. I surprised my family by walking through their front door at 11pm. The look on everyone's faces was absolutely priceless. We decided to keep the surprise from the rest of my family, as we had plans both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I don't know that there's a better feeling than surprising someone on Christmas and I look forward to doing it again.

So, there you have it...the major events of my life in 2013. As the year wraps up, I am truly grateful for everyone I've met, everything I've experience, everything about 2013. Sure, I have my regrets, my disappointments, my hardships, but so does everyone else and mine are minuscule compared to those of others.

With that said, best of luck in 2014. You're probably going to need it.