End of Year Greetings

End of Year Greetings! So much to be thankful for this year. My girlfriend of five years and I finally broke up. It was all downhill after she fell off the boat and caused us to capsize (as captain, I take full responsibility), but it wasn't until that happened that I really started living again.

Here are the highlights of 2009 (not in chronological order or level of importance . . . and keep reading as the list gets less mushy, more interesting, and funnier):

I grew as a person, healed some old wounds, discovered a lot of peace, and found a way to once again feel really excited about life; whipped myself into great shape--gained a lot of strength, developed cardiovascular endurance, and really toned up; developed a stronger, better friendship with Jim (and beat him in a footrace to a cheering crowd of bartenders and servers); accepted a job offer; participated in Sean's and Wayner's weddings as a groomsman; officially received title to a 1967 Universal sailboat that my grandfather completely restored; visited every part of Florida in a three week span; worked on NASCAR and Florida CCI (street motorcycle racing) pit crews; surfed huge waves in Jacksonville with my brother; made out with at least five different women (i.e. I have made an effort to be discerning); played a lot of golf (still suck); became closer with Dad; survived my first (and hopefully only) real fist fight--street brawl, really--two guys against me, dimly lit alley . . . you get the picture, seriously though; helped Raul and Hillary move into their first house; read "Sperm Wars," a great book that takes evolutionary biology to another level; put together an amazing, lightweight first-aid kit; spent a lot of time exploring Washington, D.C.; expanded my collection of weapons; Sarah June and Z both came home from Iraq; I participated in a number of chautauquas; co-invented the "manship"; officially became a stoic; and spent a lot of time with close family and friends, particularly the Boullosas in Tampa.

Of course, the year was topped off with Noche Buena--our annual pig roast. Here are a few photos of 2009:

Festivus Pole:

Festivus Miracle:

The Pig (after being marinated):

The Pig (after seven hours on the cooker--notice how nice her complexion remained--thanks for being a great sport, Eliza):

Hunting/Fishing Knife Sheaths that I made out of an old, sentimental football that didn't hold air:


Me on a NASCAR Pit Crew:


Tiffy Waking Me Up (I am not gay, not there's anything wrong with that):

In 2010, I have to drop the term "unemployed vagabond" from my self-description, since I will have a job and a house for at least a year and hopefully longer. I also plan to seriously chase some long-time dreams that I allowed myself to get discouraged and derailed from as young college student.

In the coming year I plan to sail my little boat--"Sueno de Pirata"--from Everglade City to Marathon in the Florida Keys with my friend Ryan. It's about 100 nautical miles each direction, and it should be fun. My ENTIRE family and many friends have been extremely supportive of the adventure, and I cannot say how thankful I am for everyone--Mom, Dad, Mimi & Pirata, Raul, the Boullosas, and Jim.

Later in the year a few of us (Jim, Tucker, and possibly Sean) are going to hike Yosemite for four days and about forty miles. I've been collecting gear and often find myself awake at night feeling excited about the trip!

This coming year, I will finish earning my pilot license, Raul and I are going to see Bobby Bowden's last game as head coach of the Noles, and I plan to compete in a couple Olympic length triathlons. I also hope to ramp up my charitable giving and volunteerism in 2010.

See you next year, when I will post some pictures of me with bigger, more masculine dogs! Just be thankful that I didn't include pictures of me wearing my elf outfit or the Michelangelo's David apron that I bought in Rome! (But those photos are available upon request.)

I wish you all many blessings in 2010--health, wealth, happiness, and lots of love!