Goodbye 2006... Really Hate to See You Go

Well 2006, you were really good to me so I kind of hate to see you go. Here's the great things that have happened: DB gets big job, we get first house, first pet and lots of other firsts that come with that kind of stuff. Not so many scary things in 2006, lots of awareness and learning though.

I guess that it means that 2006 was a great year and that perhaps 2007 will bring some more cool stuff, events, fun, good times, good times. I vow to be kind to you, 2007 even if you are not always kind to me. I'm ready for a nap right now, but that's only because I know that I have to get ready for all that you have to offer, 2007. Like re-discovering my passion for making beef jerky, playing guitar. I might even like to learn some new things things year. I want to learn five magic tricks, go ice skating with a hockey stick and a puck, go on a week long camping trip and who knows what else? Work smarter I guess.

Things I would rather not do in 2007: take up old bad habits again, get another speeding ticket, lose anybody, lose myself, lose money.

Christmas Time is Here

Family, friends, food. Life's greatest blessings. Love and happiness. We'll be with family on Christmas Eve. I am very much looking forward to it. What's most important is that we will be together.

On the First Day of Vacation

Today is the first day of vacation. I have already started to do some laundry and vaccuumed. Still some Christmas shopping to do and I am waiting for some furniture to be delivered.

Today will be a busy day, but busy with what I want to do. I like that. Looking forward to Christmas Eve. We'll spend it at my brother's house with a lot of family. That will be a long and wonderful day.

As I Was Saying...

Well, we have some excitement around here... Christmas, Nutcracker, Shopping, Eating, Playing and all of that.

It's been a great year when I think about 2006. Our first home, re-discovering friends, finding new friends, re-discovering myself and my passions, becoming stronger in my relationships with others, becoming more assured that I am blessed for so many reasons.

Not to say that I don't have a lot to work on in 2007. There's plenty that I haven't gotten right yet. Always can do better. For instance: Don't get a speeding ticket, don't think for a minute that I'm better than someone else, don't pressure myself, don't let others pressure me... avoid pressure through preparation and organization.

Always remember the people in my life.

Home

I am home. I have been gone since Monday on a trip. This is the first work trip that I have taken since we have owned our home. Even nicer to come home now to my own living room and to Betty the Cat.

Should be a busy weekend... hope to rock and roll... and watch football.

I Met Barry Williams... a Celebrity Experience

I met Barry Williams once. He played "Greg Brady" on The Brady Bunch. It was then that I realized that celebrities are people too. He was pleasant enough. It has to be something being best known for something you did many years ago. Frustrating to think that people will love you only for what you were... not who you are.

This was about 10 or 12 years ago. So it wasn't yesterday. I guess it made me glad that I never got to meet Eddie Van Halen. It would have been a let down. I guess he is a lot shorter than me. That's fine, but when you have a larger than life image of somebody, that could be a thing that brings you back down to Earth.

Ever met any celebrities? What happened?

We Have a Cat

Betty is home to stay. She is our cat. We love her. She is sweet and pretty and nice. We were pretty lucky that she found us. I am glad that she is here.

I am also glad that the weekend is coming and that the holidays are not far off. That means vacation. Last day is Thursday, December 21st. Nice. I'll be off until January 2nd. Also nice. I am looking forward to the time off. We have fun things happening, some things are planned, while we might just be crazy on other days with what we do.

We're almost done with the Christmas shopping, but there is still a bit more to do. Better get on the stick. The Christmas cards are addressed, but need to be written in and signed. Better get on that stick too.

Jackson Pollock

Jackson Pollock is my favorite painter, not like I am art expert or anything. I just really like his work. I also am intrigued by his story. It's interesting how people express themselves. I like how Jackson Pollock did it. To me, he is fascinating.

I have always had an interest in art, but never until I saw a Phil Donahue Show (of all things) that had to do with a book that came out in the early 90s. I never thought very much about an artist's life and how it would influence his work until then.

Here's a cool website: www.jacksonpollock.org. It's fun.

Blue Poles picture from www.jacksonpollock.com.

Christmas Time is Here

Here is a picture of our Christmas Tree. I have wanted a white tree with blue ornaments and blue lights since I was very little. My Aunt Rosie had two trees when I was a kid. One in the "front room" that was a regulation artificial green tree and the other was a white and white flocked tree with blue lights and blue ornaments. It was beautiful.

When Dan and I were first together we had a 4 foot green tree... with white lights. I had never had white lights on a green tree. Always multi-colored lights. Dan told me that one day we would have a white tree. Here it is. My dream of a white tree is realized. It has satin aquamarine ornaments and shiny silver ornaments with white lights. It is pretty cool. I am glad. This year has had a few dreams come true, the little ones are important. Just as the big dreams are.