As Grammy Award winning recording artist Seal once proclaimed "time keeps on slippin, slippin, slippin, into the future". Birthdays are a strange thing. Every year you take stock of what you've accomplished over the previous year. The years that end in 0 have an added importance because you look back at the last 5, and 10 years and think about what you would have, could have, or should have done differently and some of the major things you wouldn't change even if you could turn back time.
I think a lot of people that just had the year I had would chalk it up as a loss. Economically it was a disaster, the first year since I started working (paperboy at 12) that I've made less money than the previous year. The economy killed the job that I loved, one that was tailor made for someone with a great sense of adventure and an even better sense for time management. Living so darn far from Maine is tough. I miss my friends and family and so many great traditions that come with the Holidays at home. Wild Turkey shots with the boys on Thanksgiving Eve, my dad's peanut butter fudge and chocolate covered peanut butter balls, The Portland-Deering Thanksgiving Day game, going to the movies with my brother on Christmas Day, and all the tomfoolery that is New Years Eve in Portland.
For all the thoughts of what I lost this year, I feel like I've gained so much more. Its great not to spend 2-3 hours a day on the phone and to come home and have a big hug waiting for me every night. I now live in one of the most wonderful cities in the world. There is always so much to see and do, no snow, no windshield scraping, and palm trees. When I visit home I get a hero's welcome (no parades yet, but next time perhaps). I have a job that covers my bills and I've even broken down the door that leads to the realm of broadcasting. Not bad for someone who has spent only 6 months in a state with a grotesque unemployment percentage. It gives me strong hope that 30 will be even better than 29!
