Well, I’m sitting in Kowloon City, Hong Kong, preparing for New Year’s festivities and I can’t help but reflect back on a wild 2007. With the perspective of time, I look back and can say with certainty that after a little rocky ride in the summer, I have had a series of incredibly fun experiences since my 30th birthday in August.
I saw the Black Crowes on my birthday and then went to see the Counting Crows, Live, and Collective Soul later that week. Lawrence and I threw a big celebratory party at my house and had maybe 80 people and an ice luge in the basement. I visited my sister and her kids down in Charleston. I took a trip up to Burlington to see old friends from Exeter that I hadn’t seen in a while. I took a brief visit up to Exeter with my sister Anne, her husband Colby, and their little boy Mac. I had a great conversation with Mr. Weatherspoon reflecting on my life and he had some very insightful advice. The next day Colby and I decided it was well worth it, and pretty much imperative, that we attend game 7 of the ALCS at Fenway, so of course we went.
Shortly thereafter I took a trip across the pond to reconnect with old friends in Dundee, Scotland. It was fantastic to see them all again after ten years, and I hope to make that a regular trip now. Lawrence and I threw a sequel party and had even more people this time and yet another ice luge, but this time it didn’t melt all over the basement floor.
Now to close out the year, I’m currently in Hong Kong visiting my buddy Mike after spending several days in Vietnam and Cambodia with my dad. This has certainly been the crowning experience of the last five months.
I try to make a few lists here and there in my daily life and I think it’s important to list the things that I’ve learned in 2007. The first is that nothing can replace strong relationships with family and friends. They are extremely important to me and will always be. Second is everyone should strive to live their lives with dignity, respect, and above all, honesty. The third is that I don’t like tattoos. I never really have, because I think they’re a tacky form of self-expression. Lastly, the most important thing is reinforcing something I learned when I was five: follow the Golden Rule. Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you. A simple rule to follow, yet it has such a profound impact on how you live your life.
Here’s to a fantastic 2008. Happy New Year’s everyone!