My Thanks to Everyone!

I had planned on a blog post today to document the high, low and incredibly stupid points in my life. However, the result promised to be depressing, boring and embarrassing. Instead I'll limit it to a few thanks for favors past.

To my family: Great Grandparents, Grandparents, Parents, Brothers, Sisters, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces and Nephews. Each and every one of you has taught me something valuable. You have given love when I didn't deserve it, advice when I didn't want it and support when I couldn't ask for it. Most of all you have given me memories, one of the few things the IRS hasn't figured out how to tax. I thank you all for making me proud to be part of such a bizarre clan.

To the girl who, a few seconds after midnight, Jan. 1, 1981 gave me my first new year's kiss. That was a sweet, innocent and unselfish act, and if you read this and remember, I hope it brings a smile. Thank you for taking a few seconds to make my world a happier place.

To all of my friends through the years, Hollywood would need 20 years to make all the movies of our adventures. There have been horror stories, cliffhangers, love stories, high drama and low-brow humor. The ratings run from something too sweet and innocent for Disney to mess with to stuff that would shock and disgust the folks at Hustler. Thank you for the lessons learned, the scars gained and for destroying the incriminating evidence.

To Greg, Trudi, Gordon, Ron, Ginny and Carla, you taught me to do the Kingston Shuffle, expanded my horizons, threw food at me and sometimes made me want to scream. Remember the 3am calls to get punk rock dedications played for the Kingston Hot tub Party? Chartered bar hopping? Feeding the gophers after the toga party and of course the famous Plumbkinfest? We were all horrible at times, but somehow made it through. Thank you for breaking me out of my shell and teaching me the meaning of friendship.

To Lorane, you deserved better than me. I didn't realize what a treasure I held in my arms until you were forever beyond my reach. You gave me love without reservation and taught me the meaning of strength. Thank you for making my dreams come true, if only for awhile.

To all the women who have given me joy and pain, thank you for sharing a bit of yourselves with this wandering fool. Some gave advice and conversation, some gave friendship and laughter, some gave trouble and pain, but each of you had a hand in getting me to this day. As Paul Simon sang: "If you took all the girls I knew when I was single, and brought them all together for one night, I know they'd never match my sweet imagination, everything looks better in black and white."

To all the waiters, waitresses, bartenders and front desk clerks that have taken the steps beyond just doing your job, I give thanks. You've taken the time to make me feel at home. You make me feel like I'm more than just a another customer. Whether it's just a sincere smile and hearty welcome or a 4 hour conversation ranging from ghost stories to cooking experiences, you made an effort and made my life better.

To my fellow employees, both past and present, you've made it both a job and an adventure. My friends on the USS Michigan made me feel like a celebrity, and Ray at Sandia National Labs had me feeling like we owned the place. Of course I have to mention all the folks at McFarling Foods. Everyday is a cross between a freakshow and a revival mixed with LSD and viagra.

There have been teachers, instructors, professors and coaches that each gave a bit of themselves to me. I've had compliments from strangers and kindness when I least expected it. I've had smiles from pretty girls and lenience from police officers. Although my balance sheet is far enough in the red to need a government bailout, each of you has given me memories more precious than gold.

May you all experience in the coming year at least a portion of the joy you have brought to my life over the years!