2009: A Good Year

My mom has wanted a nice picture of me since the summer, so I figured, why not? My pal Marisa took this the other day and I gave it to my mom in a frame. This photo essentially sums me up. Young professional, pretentious literature snob (that’s a Vonnegut book in my hand), dude who writes in the park. Eric Smith. 2009.

2009 was a great year. I turned 27 and celebrated two years with my gorgeous girlfriend. Friends from Buffalo came to visit, and I almost died saving a chicken nugget. I flew out to and explored Chicago, spent Spring break in Buffalo, and visited Lake Placid with Heather and her family. My 3rd nephew, Issiah, was born, and my cousin Kevin and his Kate welcomed their own little munchkin into the world, Natalie Anne.

Me? I adopted a new bunny and welcomed a bouncing baby Playstation 3 into my life. I suppose that’s something.

Geekadelphia celebrated three years of being online. This year we threw a release party for Section 8, hosted a Halloween party with Indy Hall, had a Rock Band competition at National Mechanics for Child’s Play Charity, and threw a massive three year anniversary bash at North Bowl. Saw a lot of crazy interviews on the site, from talking to Billy Boyd (Pippin from Lord of the Rings) to stars in James Cameron’s Avatar.

The site is growing, and I’m thrilled. Despite its position as one of the most popular blogs in Philly, I still don’t make any real money off it… but I don’t care.

I write because it makes me happy, not because it makes me money.

It was also a great year for me career wise. I taught three courses at three different colleges (Holy Family University, Montgomery County Community College, Peirce College), gave guest lectures at Long Island University, St Joseph’s University, and appeared on a panel or two, pitched a book idea to a publisher that supports me, and started volunteering with the Academy of Natural Sciences, my favorite museum in Philadelphia.

In 2010, I’m looking forward to starting my new book, traveling across the country with one of my best friends in the Spring, vacationing in Japan with Heather during the summer, and who knows what else. And now, some pictures.

Trip to Lake Placid (Jan 2009)

A shiny new bun! (March 2009)

Trips to Eastern State Penn with friends from Orlando. Hi Krystine! (May 2009)

Surprise trip to LBI, two year anniversary (June 2009)

July 4th in Philadelphia, along the Schuylkill Banks (July 2009)

I grew an obscene mustache strictly for a party in Manayunk, won a trophy (August 2009)

Section 8 Party @ Tattooed Mom… is that a trident?! (Sept 2009)

At Heather’s Mom’s wedding (Sept 2009)

A visit to the sculpture gardens with college friends (Sept 2009)

Turning 27, celebrating at Rum Bar w/ Heather & Friends (Oct 2009)

Decked out for Halloween @ Brave New Worlds (Oct 2009)