2007 A Year in Review

Well this would mark my first successful year of blogging. Since I started posting on Blogger I have had now 100 posts including this one. I suppose if there was ever a year for the record books this one would be it. Not that I thought it would be the case going into the year but here we are another year older and hopefully that much more wiser.

I can say that this was the first year that I actually stuck to my New Year's Resolutions, at least for as long as I can remember. What were they? Well to save you the trouble of digging through the archives they I'll display them again since I think they really are going to go forward into this year:

1. Have more fun!

2. Get in better shape (not pear shape)

3. Reconnect with old friends.

4. Explore new friendships.

5. Just be a good person.

This year also brought some of the biggest challenges to this list, but so far (knock on wood) I have turned out OK. Some would say better for it. I have learned a lot this year, and experienced the gamut of emotions that it entails. I have played the part of Sinner and Saint, I've spent more time searching my sole than the channels on the TV. I forged a new sense of self out of shards of a broken heart. I learned that unconditional love is a concept beyond some, and that sacrificing one's own self in the name of love can do more harm than good. I learned that its not having emotions that can be an issue its how you act on them, the actions of one person can have a multitude of effects not foreseen.

I've met new friends and have possibly gained a few enemies along the road. I have had some great trips and late parties. I have played the hero, and have been played the fool. I have received rewards for my years of work, and have lost more than I ever thought I gained. Its definitely been a year and while some might suggest it would be one to forget, I would say it is one to remember for all time. It was one of those defining times in my life. Who knew? I always knew I dreaded 30 for some reason, but while last year I went into it with trepidation this year I go into it with hope and cautious optimism.

I have no idea what next year will bring me; however, I am determined to not let it get the better of me. It can't possibly be as turbulent as this year, but I may find myself eating those words next year. We will just have to see.

I believe that you can't force things, they have to come in time. There is a natural flow to this universe and there is such a thing as Karma. I tend to believe that I am a just person so I know that one day those that wronged me will find there own lives effected. Conversely I know that I need to lead myself in a good way otherwise it will come back to me as well. So first on the list is 1) To be a Good Person.

I had made great strides last year in getting into better shape. I am now involved in 3 weight loss competitions for this year. I plan on being a major threat in all of them. This year will be the most fit I have been in awhile. So next on the list is 2) Lose weight and become fit.

I've made some good friends this year and I'm looking forward to developing those relationships. I know alot of people too so hopefully I will have quite the social life this year. I do love all my friends otherwise I would not be spending my time with them. So next is 3) Value the friends I have and be open for new relationships.

Whether you call it the river of life, or just plane old opportunity knocking its true that we are all in it. Change is the only constant, some change is good its called evolution, you learn from it. Change can also be bad, but you need to also learn from it so as not to repeat the pattern. So next on the list 4) I believe that I am here for a reason, what that is I can not say, but I know that as long as I leave myself open to life I will find all the opportunities I could ever want.

Lastly somewhere in there with making friends and leaving myself open to exploring life's little mysteries I hope to find someone who wants to share in the adventure. I have found that you can't force it and it evolves naturally. So where I won't say that I will be stocking the next Mr. Right. I will say: 5) Infatuation is fast, Passion can be a flash in the pan, but Love is worth sticking around for. Its every bit more elusive, but I am hoping to find it one day.

I think the idea of past live is intriguing and while I am not really committed to the idea I do sometimes think that maybe if such a thing were true I was an explorer in my former life. I've been described as an old sole and that I seem to just know things. Well I don't know if that's true but what I do know is that this life is an adventure and as with the best of them they have their treasures and their sorrows. Personally I am enjoying the ride and look forward to tomorrow.

Finally I wish you all Peace in this New Year and much thanks in your readership. I look forward to talking to you all in the days to come, and for those of you who have not said hi feel free to do so.

Good Night!

Back in the Saddle Again

OK so the thing about Thanksgiving is that you have a weekend to recover after it. When Christmas falls on a weekday you don't get much rest after it. So I found myself heading into work this morning. Trust me I am already working on this for next year. I guess its a sign that I am getting older, I know I have another birthday next month. They won't be so bad now until I turn 40. Remember a birthday is natures way of getting more cake in your diet.

Speaking of diet I am coordinating this year's office Biggest Loser competition. Its what spring boarded my weight loss last year and since I really haven't done much to continue to lose since fall I need to get back on that. I have to look good come swimsuit season this year. So this year in addition to the weight loss I will be attempting to convert some of this weight into muscle. All in all I am in good shape again and hoping that I can take on the competitions again. We have a lot more men participating this year so there will be a bigger challenged. Not that the ladies are not perfectly capable of keeping up its just the old belief that men lose it faster then women. I guess we'll see what happens. I for one know one remarkable woman who has lost a boat load of weight as she works her ass of quite literally in her own BL competition. Jessica you got all my love and support behind you. I hope you win. I know I kind of petered out toward the end of the year but I'm jumping back on the bandwagon again.

Wow the new year is almost here and this is my 99th post. The next will be my big 100 post year end extravaganza LOL. It won't be tomorrow but I can promise it will be by the first. Talk you all later.

And so ends Christmas 2007

I'll keep it brief since frankly I need the rest. I just wanted to say Merry Christmas and soon a Happy New Year. I know I did not get to see everyone before the holiday and I hope to see you all soon; I have gifts for some special onces too. Its going to be a long week at work eventhough it will only be 3 days. I have decided that I am putting in for next Christmas off already, frankly all this running around sucks. Granted I have less places to visit on the holidays recently but I am hoping that will not always be the case.

I figured the greatest gift I could give myself this year is piece/peace of mind. When I figure out how to get such a thing I'll tell you cause frankly these past few days have been a roller coaster of emotion. I'm hoping to sweep away the rest of my woes next week with the start of the new year. I know it won't be that easy but I can try. Which leads me to letting you know I am planning a big post for the end of the year. I'll say goodbye (and good riddance) to 2007 and be celebrating my 100th post here on blogger. Stay tuned...

Do You Hear What I Hear . . .

I know a lot of you liked my post from a couple of weeks ago concerning the Christmas songs that just weren't quite right. Well in what looks like to be a big cosmic foot in the mouth event it turns out that Dan Fogelberg has passed away. He died at the age of 54 from complications with his battle with cancer. It is sad really. However I believe his song came up as number 2 on my list of songs to avoid. Before it was kept to a certain few stations now they all play the song in his memory I heard it twice today in the 6 minutes it took me to drive to the hardware store I seriously contemplated sticking the drill bit in my eye as it came on the store's music system.

Sorry I've just been in a mood today. Not sure why exactly nothing has happened really. Just know Christmas is coming and while I have been looking forward to it and have actually filled out cards this year I can't help but still feel a bit out of sorts. Yes I know its because I'm single now, and this is quite a major holiday to go by without thinking about Christmases Past. Well when I look back there was definitely something there that I don't have now and it makes me sad. Its like your favorite sweater the day after it rips. It really won't work, you can't really fix it and you can't find another one just like it. You just have to find another one and hope it doesn't tare like the last one. Well I'm missing that sweater tonight.

The 2007 Garrett Awards

Its that time of year when all the lists come out so I "borrowed" this list and made it my own by adding some. What do you want for 11 PM?

1) DRINKING BUDDY OF THE YEAR?
Would go to Jeff Marcy!

2) LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD (longest friend)
Mat (aka my roommate, eventhough we haven't lived together in 7 years)

3) NEWCOMER AWARD - COOLEST NEWEST FRIEND?
Chuti and Glen

3) HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR?
I can't pinpoint the exact highpoint, but each day seems to better than the previous.

4) POINT OF THE YEAR YOU REGRET?
I have none, it would imply I did something wrong.

5) BEST HOLIDAY?
I'm going to say Christmas or maybe New Years, I know they have not happened yet but I have high hopes.

6) YOUR SONG FOR 2007?
Over You - by Daughtry

7) MOVIE FOR 2007?
Transformers

8) TV SHOW FOR 2007?
Heroes

9) CELEBRITY OF 2007?
Oprah

10) WORST/HARDEST DAY OF 2007?
June 14th 2007

11) BEST RELATIONSHIP?
Me and Melanie

12) COSTUME OF THE YEAR?
I don't recall wearing any this year although watch out next Halloween.

13) RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR?
Fresh City! (those of you who know me, know why!)

15) BEST DECISION MADE THIS YEAR?
Moving to the City

16) WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR?
Find myself a good man!

17) STUPIDEST IDEA?
Walk-toberfest (inside joke)

18)who is the craziest friend of the year?
Allison (I love you!)

19) MOST LOYAL FRIEND?
I'm proud to say they all are!

20) BIGGEST CHANGE OF THE YEAR?
Being Single

21) BIGGEST BITCH/ASSHOLE AWARD?
HMMM! No Comment, they know who they are!

22) NEW YEAR RESOLUTION?
To Grow and learn and continue to have fun while doing it.

23) THE PERSON WHO INSPIRED YOU THE MOST?
That would be Jessica!

24) THE PERSON WHO SUPPORTED YOU THE MOST?
Toss up Elizabeth and Nora

25) THE MOST ELUSIVE FRIEND
Dave Bruce! Maybe we can catch a drink in '08

26) BEST TRIP
I would have to say Chicago

27) WORST TRIP
My commute last Thursday was pretty bad.

28) BEST PURCHASE/INVESTMENT
My E-Book

29) MOST EMBARASSING MOMENT
Falling flat on the ground last Thursday in front of my co-workers

30) BEST PARTY
Newton Party September 29th/2007 Ghost Tour it was Tie

Confesssions of an Introvert

So while in Chicago I attended my conference about Leading with Emotional Intelligence. I got alot out of it. I'll impart some knowledge here and there at times in my blog, but the important thing that I realized is that yes I am introverted. That doesn't mean though that I can't be a good leader. For years I thought I was just shy and had problems with social situations but over the past few months I have come to realize that this just isn't so. I like group situations and need to be social but I need to have time to myself as well. Its just how I recharge sometimes. I need to be with my own thoughts sometimes, and as it turns out there is a whole train of thought around Extroversion and Introversion. How the brain actually operates differently. Do you know that a persons IQ is set by the time they are 7. You see IQ is not the measure of how smart you are, its the measure of your capacity to learn. With years of training and study you can expect to increase your IQ by only a point or two. Your personality is the same way. Imagine that 7 years old and its set. If that isn't motivation for early childhood development I don't know what is.

So the class teaches you about your own Emotional Intelligence and how to deal with others. Because lets face it most people walking around today are Emotional time bombs, and if those people are going to work for your company you are going to want to know how to work with them. One of the keys is knowing yourself and to better understand that I took the Myers-Briggs test and sure enough it was pretty damn accurate. Essentially it determines your personality types. My score of INFJ plants me as having the temperament of an idealist specifically as a Counselor. What does that mean? Follow the link for Counselor. You want to find out what type you? This seems to be a good online test to take. Its kind of interesting to find these things out about yourself and see how you place. I was surprised to find that only about 2% of the people who took the test got my results.

OK enough for now. I'll chat with you later.

I left my Voice in Chicago

So it has come to pass that I have returned from Chicago. Would it be an excursion of mine if I did not manage to get myself sick somehow. Its probably because I pushed myself to get through the week before. OH well at least this sickness is not a flu or even a cold. It just happens to have been my throat. I can't tell you the last time I had Laryngitis. I haven't been able to speak right since last Sunday. The trip to Chicago was good even though I was sick I was able to get a lot out of the trip. I was able to meet up with an old friend and meet someone who will one day become one. Remarkably despite my poor health they were able to have a good time while visiting. Of course who can resist a hot tub and steam room. Really the steam room at the hotel was the only thing that got me through the week since the air was so dry every where else.

I did get a chance to visit Giordano's and sample an authentic Chicago pie. Although my appetite was not the best so most of my meal ended up with the valet at the hotel. I know what its like to work at a hotel having done it for a few years so I know its appreciated. Well the front desk staff at my hotel was a bit snobby so it was there loss. Besides I think the valet guys appreciated it more.

Tomorrow I will write more on what I learned.