Greetings for the New Year, everyone.
I don't make it a habit to use the word "Happy" in my New Year greeting, because to me, the New Year is the same as the old year, and I'm still not happy, nearly nine years after hitting my professional apex in life. This should be the best and most prime years in my life, and I'm not experiencing that euphoria that should be equated with my age.
Not much happened in the past year, but that is actually good news over 2005, when things went downhill and I missed five months of work due to an illness. I was at least able to put 12 good months of work in.
In January, I caught what I considered to be another case of the runny nose. It ended up lasting all year long, save for a five-day break in May. No amount of medication has been able to affect it.
I stuck with the same car all year long for the first time since 2004. It managed to avoid the repair bug until November, when everything came crashing down on it. Still, it survives.
I had resolved to make one more trip to Niagara Falls in 2006. It didn't happen, mostly because of guilt over using my last week of vacation at the expense of work suffering. I read an article in the fall about people not using vacation time because of guilt over the job, and I was laughing at their rationale. Now I laugh at myself. I'm not the loyal company man, and yet I sacrificed time off?
I had also resolved to get back into television production, my major in college. I went to a total of three events, and the fourth was cancelled with no notice. I haven't even heard from that producer in three months, so I figure all the hoopla is just that, and not concrete results. On the other hand, I put in for two positions in my dream field: however, they are in Massachusetts. To date, I've not heard any follow-up from the company.
Resolution: to finally complete my backyard gardening project I began in 2003. Not accomplished, due to finances.
I also wanted to find that one true friend. That mission has been accomplished ten-fold with Sheila. A man cannot be more lucky and fortunate.
I finally saw land west of the Mississippi as well, having visited my father in Arizona in May. It was time well spent, although it was out of my normal element. It is great to see that he and my stepmom are doing so well. Coincidentally, that is when I started this blog, which will provide lasting memories.
The stress continued unabated, and probably will so long as I work at the airport. But I still thank my lucky stars that I'm fed, clothed and sheltered. That would be a resolution I would not dare break.
So as always, I resolve for this year to go a bit more smoothly than last year. All I can say is: enjoy the ride, however bumpy it may be.ear
