Best. Year. Ever.

I've had this big 2008 retrospective post planned in my head for a while now that would be an in-depth examination on why 2008 was the best year of my life, but sadly I never found the time to write it. I got a Wii for Xmas (along with a snazzy new camera bag, a tripod and new pair of Cole Haans) and Lego Star Wars has eaten up quite a bit of my free time. Instead we're going to recap the year High Fidelity steez. So here are Leaf's Top 5 Memories of 2008.

5) Being on the field when D.C. United won the U.S. Open Cup and shooting the ongoing celebration. I really hope 10 years from now when I am a bitter and jaded professional photographer (ha!) that I won't take nights like these for granted. Getting to shoot athletes at the moment of the payoff is an awesome thing to be able to do.

4) The Radiohead gig @ Nissan Pavilion. Not so much for the gig itself but for what came out of it. Namely my photos in the Washington Post and the ongoing work I've done for them as a result. Like spending the day hanging out with the Jonas Brothers at the White House.

3) Noel Gallagher attacked on stage in Toronto. I got the only photos of the attack and as a result, had my photos published in Canada, England and France. And now I am represented by a photo agency in England. Pretty awesome.

2) The Celtics won the NBA Title! And I went to Game One in Boston! And sat beside Gerald Henderson Sr. and Jr. at the bar before the game! It was sensory overload and I loved every minute of it. The title was bittersweet in one respect though. My grandfather, the biggest Celtics fan I know, passed away earlier in the year. I think of him a lot when I watch the C's these days.

1) The former Ms. Smith and I got married in an awesome ceremony with about 80 of our closest family and friends. Getting married was something I never thought I would do but I honestly could not be happier right now. Finding the perfect girl makes it all very easy. On a music geek note, I was super-stoked to walk down the aisle to Spiritualized and have the Super Furries soundtrack our first dance. Best.

Honorable mentions: Seeing the Super Furries in Philly, DC and Boston. Oasis at the Patriot Center. Finally getting to see John McEnroe play tennis. Going to the Rose Parade. Getting bylines on washingtonpost.com, Pitchfork and Blurt-Online and going to the US Open at Flushing Meadows.

2008, I am truly sad to see you go.

I'm focused on getting 2009 off to the right start. That means spending tomorrow snowboarding. Woo!

Happy New Year everyone!