Welcoming The New Year

Wow! I don't know where to start.

The end of 2007 and the start of 2008 are a bit of a blur for me because so much has happened is such a short period of time. For me, this year has been a very personal one. A few of the highlights...

June, 2007
I had a wonderful vacation to Seattle, and Olympic National Park, in Washington State (view photo sets). It was a two week vacation. We had a wonderful time. But right after I got back to work, at 8:00 Monday morning, one of my employees resigned. I don't have to tell you that after three days of the stress that caused, all the unwinding that my vacation provided me was gone.

It was tough for me because he had worked for me for 12 years. We worked well together and I really hated to see him go. We had a close working relationship, and he is a good friend of mine. But the opportunity was a good one for him and I didn't want to hold him back. Three days later, my second employee resigned. He had been free lancing for another firm. I knew about it and it was ok with me. It was just the timing that sucked. The first employee of my department left, followed three days later by the resignation of my second employee (we are a three person department). He said it was just the timing and the way things worked out. Still, had my first employee stayed, I don't believe he would have left at that time. Do I think he bailed on me? Yeah, I guess I do. The timing was just too precise. And I feel betrayed a bit about it. But, one thing I've learned is that you don't hold on to issues you have no control over. You have a choice in life on how much you will let any one issue bother you. I no longer get that bothered by issues that are outside my personal family, and my circle of friends.

So, I hired a new staff, and went through a very rigorous training regimen for them. It has taken time, patience, and endurance on my part. But we are 99.9% there now. The hard stuff is behind us and the team is working well together now. The challenge for me has been to let go of what I once knew -- the two guys that used to work for me that I cared a great deal for, and to embrace my new team. Recently, I realize that I've done that.

December, 2007
I'm not what you would call a social butterfly. I hate parties and social events. The problem is, I'm extremely shy when it comes to talking with people in party situations. It's a bit strange. I'm fine when I invite people over to our home to dine and entertain them. I'm fine talking to people at work or in meetings about work related issues. But at parties, I'm shy. But I really had to go to the "holiday party" this year at our company. I was asked to be the "official photographer" at this function (a title that will probably be mine from now on since they seem to think my photos are the best), and, I received my "20 year service award". So, I really couldn't blow the event off.

I actually had a great time. But I have to tell you, being called up to accept my 20 year service award was a sobering experience for me. Twenty years at one place. In brings up all kinds of questions for me. Did I stay too long? Can I do nothing else? Am I a loser for not doing more? The fact is, I'm comfortable where I'm at and I have an incredible amount of flexibility in my job. I can work anywhere (at home or at work), although I usually do drive in to work.

My Birthday
My birthday is on December 31st. Each year, I'm reminded just how many loving friends I have. I am a very lucky man! My mailbox is filled with birthday greetings and phone calls. On the 29th of December, we traveled to New Hampshire. This was a new experience, and it was perfect. We came back home on the first of January.

To end all of this, we went to the Flood Tide Restaurant last night at the Inn at Mystic. I love that place. We got a nice table overlooking the harbor. And speaking of special friends who make life even more special, I want thank two really great friends from Idaho for the gift certificate from the Flood Tide. It was truly a very thoughtful and special gift. Thank you Mary and Ernie!

I have so many things to be thankful for. I'm not sure where we are heading as a country. And being part of a still unpopular minority that seems to be the target of some politicians running for President doesn't give me a great feeling. But my personal life -- my home, friends, family -- are very much in tact. For that, I'm a lucky man.

Looking Forward
I look forward to 2008! And hopefully, we will elect a President who will unite us as a people instead of using some groups in this country as political footballs. We have more in common than we have in differences. My wish for 2008 is that when the American People go to the voting booth to determine the course this country will take, they will keep that in mind and turn their backs on those who would use their position to demonize those who don't fit into their picture of what this country should be, and those who would continue to erode our personal freedoms guaranteed by The Constitution. It would also be refreshing to have a President who is just as concerned for our citizens as he is in fighting the battles of other people in the world. Things like the housing crisis, hunger, poverty, heating fuel and gasoline rates, the environment, health care, equality in the legal system for ALL citizens, and education.

I know the President is concerned about education. He himself posed the question, "Is our children learning?" That kind of says it all, doesn't it?

Oh, and Happy New Year! And did I mention, I'm a lucky man?