Overly Positive

As 2009 comes to a close, I think that it’s a good time for everyone to kind of look back on what they achieved and reflect on it. The thing is, from both a non-geek and a geek perspective, it’s difficult at times to look positively on some of the things that have happened to you. Hardships, trials, and tribulations are things that everyone, even an eternal optimist like me, have had to deal with this year. Still, I’ve always been a big believer in silver linings, so without further ado, here are some things – some related to the geek arts, and some not – for people to think upon as 2010 comes upon us. They’re generic enough that you might fit into a few and apply them to your own situations in 2009.

1. The game you really wanted to play failed to meet your expectations.
It does suck when you anticipate a game release only to sour on it after playing it for some time.  Investing your time and energy into what you think is going to be great but isn’t is definitely a bear to overcome.
What’s positive: Focusing your tastes into what you really like as opposed to being marketed into them has no greater teacher than when a game doesn’t mean your standards. If you understand and learn that you like something very specific because of  feeling like you wasted a few bucks, trust me – the short term might hurt a bit but your cautious optimism will make you smarter in the long term.

2. You lost your job.
Employment is most folks’ means to make ends meet, and being laid off or let go is never fun as you struggle to find something else to pay the bills. When people end their employment before their time, there are feelings of anger, sadness, and overall chaos as they try to find something in a more competitive work environment.
What’s positive: While people can struggle to find work, there is always hope in the form of resume-blitzes, headhunters, and friendly connections, which are responsible for finding work for many an unemployed person. There are also ways to make the lack of work into an adjusted opportunity – I’ve known many people who have taken the time to go back to school, re-focus their priorities, or find a new field that interests them. There is, of course, something to be said about the hardship also making them stronger – something that, with the support of loved ones and friends, is entirely possible.

3. Your tech took a dive into the dumpster.
More and more, geeks rely on their tech to survive, whether that’s a smartphone, a computer, or some other device they use to help get themselves through the day. When they crap out, it’s a struggle to survive under other means or to even replace the misbehaving piece of geekery in question. I know of people who’ve lost years of data due to a random malfunction, and it’s never easy to get back on your feet after it.
What’s positive: A fresh start on your tech is sometimes needed, and even though you might miss those precious screenshots of when you totally /danced over someone’s dead corpse in a game, memories are meant to be created, not just remembered. Starting anew can provide a nice focus and re-prioritization to  what you’ve used your tech for, and frankly – there’s a nice sort of feeling to having it clean as a whistle, waiting for things to be done with it.

4. You had friend, family, or relationship troubles.
Unless you’re a true hermit or even a misanthrope (and trust me, despite the outward face, many people aren’t), then at some point or another during this trying year you might have had a problem with a friend, family member, or loved one. Whether it was a disagreement that got out of hand, a mistake you made, or a blowup of epic proportions, having issues with other people is certainly something that is inevitable and expected the more you interact with them – and that goes for online as well as offline.
What’s positive: The kinds of troubles you may experience with others you care about are always learning experiences. You either learn what to do, what not to do, and how to avoid problems in the future. Or even better, they end up working out somehow in the end. I know that I have had my fair share of trials and Homer Simpson-like “D’oh!” mistakes I’ve made with the people I choose to care about, and no matter what the outcome, I know I’m sorry for every single one of them. Being sorry, guilty, or otherwise feeling down about your troubles with others is normal, and if anything else, the regret of missing something like that ensures that you either patch it up to make it better, or learn that the bonds you do have are precious enough to be not taken for granted, and seriously.

5. You had an Internet snafu.
Put your foot in your mouth on a forum? Typed some text you shouldn’t have to someone over an online game or in chat? Or perhaps your secret fetish with Hello Kitty was discovered and revealed to the world. Somehow, some way, you done fucked up online, and unlike in real life where memories are fleeting and sometimes forgotten, the Internet is an archive of unforgettable moments.
What’s positive: The internet tends to be a domain where people where masks. Sometimes those masks cause some issues. While it may be shameful or awful to mess up online, the thing is, is that the experience forces you to be more honest with yourself and how you communicate with others online. Sure, it might suck that people remember that you’re “that guy”, but in the end, online mistakes are as inevitable as a Comcast cable connection drop – they just happen, and sometimes when you don’t expect it. Take solace in the fact that A)the Internet is a fickle and vast place, always looking for the next laugh or messup to ogle over and B)your online identity and persona is something that you become keenly aware of after a mistake, that you take measures to correct.

6. You just didn’t have a good 2009 overall (or: “this year sucked”)
Perhaps you experienced any or all of the above, or generally you’re just not feeling good about 2009. Maybe you just wanted it to be over so you could get on to a new year. Or it could be that a stressful mountain climb is ahead for the new year, caused by specific, really sucky events. Either way, 2009 was not 2000-fine.
What’s positive: New years are celebrated for a reason – they’re a fresh way to look at things for another 12 months where you can turn things around, make them better, or overall do what’s needed to improve. 2009 may have been a crappy year for some of you, but the fact of the matter is, it’s just about over, and 2010 looms on the horizon, where anything can happen. Will 2010 be better? Maybe, maybe not. But I’ll take my chances knowing that I can make 2010 an even better year for myself, rather than worrying about how 2009 bashed me over the head repeatedly.

There you go – 6 things that hopefully have a bright side for 2010. I wish and hope everyone the best and Happiest New Year, and if I have my way, I’ll be continuing to provide a regular dose of sunshine for when 2010 isn’t as great as it could be. Bring on the new hotness!