Summary

Every year, everyone and everything racks up a host of best of the year passed and so forth. I instead want to reflect on what I've done this year.

Parenting.

If 2008 was the first trembleing year of parenthood, where both of us read up on methods for this and sollutions to that (kind of like your child was a problem), this year has been smoother sailing. In 2008 some good books were read and placed in the bookcase, this year they've stayed there. A kid means infinite discoveries, and rediscovering, reassessing and understanding things quite differently. It's an exhausting but exhillarating ride.

Music.

Although plans were more extensive I released the I Need a Bassline single together with Waveplant. There's been some other music works in the wings, but I'm waiting for the proper possibilities for this music, rather than just throwing it out there on a wim.

Theology and religious studies.

After reading a load of fantastic books during the last few years, and thereafter having to sum them up in essays - always with a rigorous limit on the maximum number of pages allowed - I've finally been let loose to produce serious academic text. My fieldwork how young muslims view the political left-right-scale in Sweden is finished, and will be published as a pdf (as all exam works are) at the beginning of next year. But more excitingly it will also be made into an article in a book about religion and politics! More about this when it happens.

Wine.

I've found a little collector's streak in me. Although my alcohol consumption is modest, I've managed to try a number of good new wines, and more importantly; understand why I find these wines good. I've gained some knowledge about a few grapes and what characterize them. My main focus has been Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Chardonnay is wonderful because it generates such an array of wines. I really like American and South African ones that are heavy in oak and butter notes, and I'm also very keen on the crispness of a good Chablis (which is always done on Chardonnay). Even though I've so far been much of a new world-guy I'm very very keen on the french region of Sancerre. And I've learned, as with Chablis, that Sancerre wines are always made from the same grape, which in Sancerre's case is Sauvignon Blanc.

Bread.

To my great delight we had our kitchen re-done this summer. New appliances, and among them a new oven. And so I've started to make bread with a great deal of help from my good friend Manitoba Cream who is always present in my baking. I've also got a lot of inspiration from the blog Pain De Martin (in Swedish). As a rookie baker I've come a long way in a short time. As I'm writing this for instance, my home-made leaven Ciabatta (that has taken me three days to make) are in the oven.

Earlier, I've had some gatherings at home where we ate bread and cheese and drank some exciting wine. This year the wine pairing has gotten more informed and exciting and the bread on which the cheese is places - has been a home-made success!

So, not listing anything as the best or the most exciting, these are things that I've been excited about in 2009. It's probably no stretch to imagine that 2010 may look similar, although it will hopefully involve more music not only being made but also being released.

Best wishes for the futuristic year of 2010!

Jonatan