HAPPY NEW YEAR

I thought I'd take a moment to wish all a Happy and Prosperous 2007. In my last entry I focused primarily on the past. I believe it is now prudent to be forward looking. This year is filled with so many opportunities and challenges. In the past few weeks, I've welcomed some wonderful new friends into my life and am very excited about getting to know them and letting them have the chance to know me. I spent New Year's Eve with Britt and our friend Tim, as well as some of the new friends we've met. We went to Grand Central (a pub in Baltimore) and had an incredible time. I actually danced. I haven't allowed myself to dance in quite some time and it felt amazing and liberating. We cheered, drank, and laughed all night. That's the way to ring in a new year! 

Over the past week I have been working diligently on my new condominium. I've been fortunate to have the help of friends to do the dirty work. Thank you all. I especially want to offer my gratitude to my friends for believing in and supporting me throughout this change in my life. Tomorrow it's back to work, and I'm very fortunate to have a great job with even better colleagues. Due to my current home purchase, I am going to seek additional income. I think I'll work for a new cigar store that is opening in Crofton. More to come on this. 

As with last year, I'll make no resolutions, but continue with the goals I set out in my previous posting. I hope that all of my friends allow me the opportunity to share in their goals, achievements, and near misses in the year and those years that follow. I have to admit that home ownership is as challenging as I imagined. I've had a few friends liken it to child rearing, and that is such a true analogy. My proverbial labor pains (selecting, financing, and closing) were minimal, however the real work is going to be raising this domiciliary child. I have cut the umbilical cord (removing old carpet and wallpaper). Tomorrow, I pick out carpets and flooring. I also have to choose the paint and begin the aesthetic transmogrification of the walls. 

The place is currently all white. I like color, so painting is an exciting endeavor. I'm at present on the balcony of my old apartment (I'm here for a few more weeks) and the weather is rather pleasant for a January morning. It is about 50 degrees and cloudy, but it feels so good to be sitting outside. The air is brisk and invigorating. So, I'm about to head back inside, have a shower and well-deserved nap. Thank you for taking the time to read my postings. Have a wonderful 2007 and join me in a toast to the new year and a bright future. Bibendum!!!