2007 In Review

In 2007, I am thankful for many wonderful things: my family, friends, my career and last but not least, my hobbies. My immediate and extended family are doing well. I am especially grateful that my younger brother, Shane, safely returned from Iraq for what was essentially his second tour of duty in the Middle East. He is currently in Kosovo amid other UN Peacekeeping troops, in a concerted effort to both stabilize and rebuild that war torn country.
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To all of my friends I say many, many “Thanks” as each of you has helped me this year in some form or fashion. In 2007, I met new friends and continued relationships with my established ones. Random Thought: It is extremely interesting to me (and it has been the subject of many philosophical discussions, both with and without adult beverage overtones) as to how we go about selecting the people that we call “friends.” There certainly is an endearing and alluring quality about them that seems to call us into a friendship with them. I once read a poignant statement that “Friendship is love minus sex and plus reason. Love, however, is friendship plus sex and minus reason” (M. Cooley). A strange little paradigm indeed but by all accounts appears to be true. Friends are like that…figuratively smashing a cymbal right near your ears, in an effort to wake you up to what’s going on in your world. We all need that from time to time. Again, thanks to each of you for that…
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I am certainly glad about my return to Crawford in March. I have been very comfortable and happy doing what I do for the San Antonio Office, along with ancillary assignments across other parts of Texas and the Gulf Coast South, en general. I am especially proud to be part of the Most Improved Branch Office of our company. This office was seventh from the bottom rank (out of seventy-three offices in the entire US) a year ago. Since then, we have worked very hard and diligently in all phases of what we do. This focused and concerted effort has moved us all the way up to the number three office in the entire US!! A little friendly competition is always good...
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My hobbies, of course, include sports. Some things never change. In early ’07 I purchased a Fuji road bike and also began running, as of the latter part of the year. While the running is still in its early, developmental phase I must say that I’ve really come to enjoy and excel at cycling. I completed my first Metric Century this year and continue to look forward to many more of these outdoor adventures in 2008. It sure beats the hell out of laying about on the couch. ...lol
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That's a wrap. Happy New Year Every One !!