2007 hasn't really been bad for us, but it has been supremely stressful and I'm not sad at all to see it go. With me focusing on my studies and not working money has been terribly (like payday loan store) tight. It's rare for us to go out to clubs, bars or even movies anymore as gas, groceries and keeping the power on take priority. Still, we're not homeless, we have food in the refrigerator, and I've now reached the official half-way point in school, so as stressful as it is it has all been for the best.
I've been playing quite a lot this year and thanks to the band we were able to enjoy a week in Hawai'i. I have two things that make me happiest: my wife and my sax. Having those two things along with sunny Hawai'i, Dole Whip, kalua pork and fruity luau drinks all in the same week made for one heck of a time.
I went back to Hemophilia camp (counselor) for the first time in eight years. I grew up there, but after seeing so many of my friends die due to AIDS/HIV it had reached a point where I needed a break, and as there were some political type things adding to the stress at the time I had to leave the Hemo community for a while. It was very bittersweet to go back. Bitter as, with the exception of one guy other than myself, everyone who was my age and in my cabin group growing up is gone, as are all of my favorite counselors and staff. It was very emotionally challenging to walk around seeing their ghosts everywhere, but I took solace in knowing that they'll never be forgotten. It was sweet, uplifting, and very bewildering, to see that the kids who had been my campers when I was on staff have now all grown up fit, healthy and most importantly AIDS-free. I was very caught off guard to see that guys who had been three feet tall and dimpled the last time I saw them are now towering over me and have six pack abs and are playing college sports. Cheers to modern medicine!
One thing that 2007 has brought that kind of freaks me out. With the exception of one couple, all of our friends have popped out little ones this year. There have been so many babies born this year that I've lost count. Sometimes it feels like we're the Last of the Mohicans or something. We both want to start having kids (not until school is finished, though) but it's scary to think that we'll be the last. And, I know this is terrible, but so far all the kids have been pretty adorable, so I'm worried that we're going to be the couple who gives birth to a cross-eyed little Sasquatch with buck teeth and a club foot. Ugh. Please let my kid be normal!
Yeah, it hasn't been bad, but I'm so ready for 2008. And I haven't even gotten into how this year treated my beloved Ducks! Blech!!
Is it too early to start singing Auld Lang Syne?
