Keeper of the note....
Sunday, 30 December 2007 17:08![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
a_bit_of_wit_2Well, it's been a couple of years since I last did one of these--a final note, a recap of the year as told from my point of view. I began this tradition, well--stole it, really--back in high school, 10th grade to be precise. I yoinked the idea from one of the greatest teachers I ever had, Mr. Doug Austin. And so, it returns.
A final note...
It seems only yesterday that I watched the ball drop on TV, safe in the house of April's family, away from the melee and insanity that is Times Square. Regardless, I think I can safely say that 2007 was better than 2006. It was a much happier year for both April and myself--2006 saw us starting off in Kingston, barely making ends meet, then taking a job with the Lottery and moving thrice in quick succession from Kingston, Albany, and finally here in Schenectady, and then me getting afflicted with the chronic illness known as Crohn's disease...yeah, this year was much better. And like the previous few years before it, it will begin and end with Monopoly. It's become a year-end and year-beginning tradition...I started it back when I was living on the Cape, back when 291 Old Barnstable Road hadn't quite fallen into such depravity, chaos, and madness. It was a head-to-head match, usually with cousin Jim, or sometimes my sister Heather would get in on the fun. For the last 3 years, though, this head-to-head cutthroat game of Monopoly has been with April's brother, Ryan. Once again, it'll be with Ryan, and maybe this time it won't take me 50 minutes to beat him.
Last winter, it seemed, was a bit lacking in the snow front. We had dribs and drabs and light dustings, but nothing really that was of any substance...until Valentine's Day. Then we got walloped by a huge snowstorm which brought nearly two feet of the stuff. Next day, I was going absolutely crazy with my camera, getting some beautiful wintry shots, and after I got them developed, I saw that the black and white images were the best of the bunch, possibly some of my best work. Also in February, April, Ryan, and myself went to see a performance of Phantom of the Opera at the gorgeous Proctors Theatre, right here in Schenectady. Funny story about that--April and I had seen the Lloyd Webber musical in Boston, for the US tour of the show was there, and we went there for our 1st anniversary. Now, here we were again for the US tour--same cast, same everything. Gary Mauer plays an excellent Phantom, and his wife plays an amazing Christine. Wonderful, wonderful show. This was our Christmas present from April's mom. Another snowstorm hit on St. Patrick's day, and for the local bars, not a lot of people willing to celebrate and get plastered. Last winter also saw my seventh character battle contest, an old-school vs. new theme here. I nearly canceled the contest toward the end of the first round because of such piss-poor turnout, but the contest went on and Kinie ended up winning his second contest. Winter was a time where I didn't do much, alas...with the constant overtime at work, it prevented both April and myself from, well, life.
As we moved into April, my beloved's birthday came around again, and once again, we were going to see a show. This time, the US tour of RENT came to Proctors, and until then, I'd never seen any incarnation of the musical before--I only heard the soundtrack. This US touring company did not disappoint, and it was very amusing to see the rabid fans inside the restored Vaudeville theater. Loud, crazy, but a great show, and April enjoyed her birthday present immensely. Two or three weeks later, my friend Nick came here from Binghamton and we (along with April's family) went to see Bill Engvall, once again at Proctors...what a hysterical show that was. Also in the month, I got to go to my first live baseball game with Ben and Brie, a game in Yankee Stadium to watch the Yanks play the Orioles. What an electrifying atmosphere that was, and even though I am a Red Sox fan, it's very hard not to get caught up in the excitement that the home team can provide. The Yankees lost, 6-4, but I did get some good pics (official scoring decision: Error SS, Error SS), a great time, and the most expensive meal I've ever bought for myself--2 hot dogs, fries, and a drink...$22. This is how the Yankees can afford those monster payrolls. April and I were also in New Paltz to enjoy the springtime air, and we rounded up most of our friends there (Mary, James, Wyatt, Shanti, Jess, and Brie) and went to Peter's Kill in Minnewaska State Park, near Mohonk. We spent several hours there and enjoyed the beauty that nature gave us, including several pictures of the various female rumps in our company. Again, nature's beauty. James tried to be Superman and fell into the drink, Wyatt was climbing everything he could (funny, he isn't blue and doesn't speak with a German accent), Shanti became a wood nymph, Mary was stuffing rocks into wherever she could, and Wyatt also became the sheep.
Moving into May, April and I decided to spend our 3rd anniversary in New Paltz, and it was there that we kicked off RenFaire season, when we went to the fairgrounds nearby for the Hudson Valley Mayfaire, a very tiny faire, but fun nonetheless. Many actors who take part in the New York RenFaire were here, and the Mayfaire here was to raise money for a charity called the Queen's Galley, a program raising money to aid the hungry. There, I purchased a present for April--a dagger with a naked man on the hilt. We also made friends with a few of the performers there, including a musician who plays a mean violin and has an excellent voice by the name of NeidFyre. It was amusing to watch April sing along with her, and it nearly became the NeidFyre and April show. Most fun. We were pleasantly surprised to see NeidFyre show up once again as a guest musician at the NY RenFaire. In mid-May, we went to Cape Cod to visit my family and to celebrate my sister's birthday as well as my stepfather's. Heather and Heather had their junior prom, and the two of them looked amazing in prom dress.
With overtime continuing, we headed into June, and in late June, April and I went to Tanglewood for the first of our two trips there, seeing Garrison Keillor and the rest of the A Prairie Home Companion gang, with special guest James Taylor. I only found out about his presence the night before, and he did not disappoint at all. Of the people there at a packed Tanglewood, I have no idea how many of them were there to see JT, Garrison, or both, but even after the 2-hour show ended, Garrison and James continued entertaining the crowd with a full hour's worth of encores. The next day was spent in North Adams, and April got to go to Papyri Books, a used bookstore near Jack's (the amazing grease pit) and the MCLA campus. We also ventured into another of our must-stops, Persnickety Toys, a small toy store that carries real toys--the stuff we used to play with growing up, toys made out of real wood and metal. Not too long later, we headed into 4th of July weekend, and with that, it was a 4-day romp at Indian Head Canoes, located on the Delaware River in Barryville, NY. This was a huge adventure, as it comprised of April, Ryan, Mary, myself, and my family. And of course, it rained, POURED, nearly the entire trip, with convenient breaks in the rain for us to have a few day trips on the river itself. We had rented 2 campsites, but one of them ended up underwater. So we crammed 5 tents onto one campsite and dealt with it. My stepfather was feeling a bit bummed with the way things were going, but I wasn't going to let the natural pessimism of him ruin my experience. Despite all the rain, it was a wonderful trip. I missed being there, and everyone had fun. I may have to go back next summer, if only for the bald eagles and amazing photos I ended up getting of the scenery. God, I love nature photography. Unlike portraits, the trees don't talk back.
August officially kicked off the NY RenFaire part of the season, and opening weekend was spent with April and Wyatt, and we stayed at my grandmother's place. We blew our budget on opening day, and so the next day was spent partially at the Palisades Mall, and a romp down Lake Street, out near the edge of the 'Burg (Sloatsburg, that is). However, this particular season was of special importance to me. I had entered the Faire's annual photo contest, entered 5 pictures. None of them won, but sometimes the company uses images for their own promotional purposes. Imagine my pleasant shock when I saw that my shot of a smiling Dextre Tripp playing with fire made the back cover of the program! Then he went and signed the program for me. The man is nuts, but he's great. We would end up going to the Faire five more times, but more later. In the middle of August, Annie came up here and we went to go see the Dave Matthews Band live at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, SPAC for short. It was my first time going to an actual live concert, and it was an amazing experience. The music and the band were great, and I was rather amused being surrounded in 25,000 stoners. The 3-hour concert was very enjoyable, and even though I came home reeking of pot (and I hadn't smoked a damn thing), I'll go back there again if DMB comes around next summer. Not too long later, April and I went to Tanglewood once again, and now that I had my driver's license, April was now the passenger. This time, we went to see John Williams and the Boston Pops performing music from films--specifically, the films of director David Lean. The second part of the show, though, the Pops performed music from Williams himself, music from the Harry Potter movies, which closed with an encore from the Indiana Jones movies. At the end of the month, RenFaire once again, but before that, Ryan, April, Carolyn, big gay Dan, and myself went down to Point Pleasant Beach in NJ for the day, and it was a wonderful feeling getting to swim in the ocean again...I hadn't swam in the ocean since before I moved off the Cape. And with the waves taller than I, it was wonderful getting absolutely raped by mother nature, getting sand into every orifice in my body...to you, it may be annoying, but to me, I was having the time of my life. However, I don't ever want to pay those exorbitant fees to park and then to actually place your feet on the sand again. I like how Falmouth works--pay to park, unless you go after 5, then it's free. After 5, though, it's swim at your own risk. As it was Labor Day weekend, Sara and Shanna were also along for the Faire, including the New Paltz gang.
With September now in full swing, we went back to the Faire for the final time on its closing weekend, and there, I received a blast from the past. It was while I was at the Wrong Show/Wet Chemise contest that it happened--I saw a friend of mine that I hadn't seen since she graduated from Suffern High School, a girl who was awesome in many ways...we were in choir, and also did the spring musicals. And here she was, up on stage baring nearly all for the wet chemise contest...Meghann John. When I said hi to her after the show, it took a minute, but she remembered me, and we reminisced and caught up as we walked back to the Pub Sing. She's a teacher now, but like me, she was there at the Faire to have fun. What a trip down memory lane that was. However, Faire season wasn't over yet! In October, April and I went to Cape Cod once again to visit my family, but also to go to King Richard's Faire. It's a bit cleaner than the NY Faire in terms of humor (it's a bit more family friendly at King Richard's), but much fun was had, and my stepdad got to lie comfortably on April's chest...a happy man. We bought him an oil lamp, and I got some beautiful artwork. Finally, our Faire season would come to an end, but for all the dollars and time spent at these events...the fun and enjoyment had is always worth it.While there, my stepbrother was due to become a father any day, with his girlfriend Tanya set to go at any time. I was expecting to be jolted out of a sound sleep in the middle of the night by a screaming Tanya, but Tanya ended up being two weeks overdue. Happily, she gave birth to a healthy boy, Dakota. My aunt too was pregnant, and eventually gave birth to a healthy adorable girl, Natalie. October would end on another great note: the Red Sox winning the World Series for the second time in my lifetime. As my friend Doug so boldly proclaimed, "BECAUSE 2004 WASN'T JUST A FLUKE!"
We went to the New Paltz Gaming Convention in early November, where I was reunited with Ben and the rest of the NP gang. Video games EVERYWHERE. Hell, a couple of fuses blew out thanks to Guitar Hero, and I shot off a few rolls of film there as well. Fun times. For Veterans' Day weekend, I was asked by my boss at work if I could do some freelance photography work for the city's annual 15K race. So I did, and he was so taken with the great pictures that not only did he reimburse me for film and developing, but he gave me $30 extra for the work. I was grinning from ear to ear. As my birthday came round, Dan H. was in the area and decided to crash with us for several days. Meanwhile, I'd been plotting something since the beginning of the month--how and when I would propose to April. I had promised her in January that I'd propose before the year ended, and needless to say, she'd been asking me constantly if I was going to marry her. The question was how I would get the ring in the apartment without her knowing. She knew where it was coming from, and so if I had the ring sent directly to the apartment, she'd see the package, see where it came from, and immediately know what was inside. So, I enlisted the help of our friend Erica--I would purchase the ring and have it sent to her, and then she could take the ring, bring it to work, and I could take the tiny box and pocket it. So we did, and I hid the box in a little Coca-Cola tin I had. And April didn't have a clue. So on my birthday, after we'd gone to Red Lobster and opened my gifts, I went into the bedroom, opened with a quote from Red Dwarf, and asked April to marry me, catching her completely off guard in the process. And of course, she said yes, and then came the outpouring of congratulations. I think Facebook said it best, though, when I changed the relationship status to "engaged," and it said in my profile: "April French has approved your relationship request." Now she's getting dragged about by the ring around her neck, and she couldn't be happier. That, I believe, is the highlight of my year. And shortly after that, we went to Cape Cod to spend Thanksgiving with my family, and I finally got to see babies Dakota and Natalie, and they were cute. And quiet, which surprised me.
So finally, we come to December, the end of the year. We had our holiday party held here in the apartment, and it was quite a feat cramming everyone in, but we did. All of our guests had fun, and while some couldn't make it, we hope you come see us soon. I got to experience the insanity that is Raving Rabbids, the hilarity of Apples to Apples, and Dan D. fell in love with April's typewriter. Now he has one. Clackity clackity clackity. I began a part-time job as a photographer at a portrait studio--even though I ultimately wish to do nature photography, I could use the experience. Finally, Christmas came around, an enjoyable time, and here we are, about to say farewell to 2007. Despite the horrible politics here, the sorry state of global affairs, it was still a good year personally...I hope the good times continue throughout. What next year holds we wait to find out, but I hope it brings joy to me and mine. And the same to all of you, who've been with me for the ride. The only thing I can say for sure is that I'll be beginning to plan a wedding with my lovely, and that I'll be holding my final large character battle contest as well as trying to get back into college. Other than that, I haven't a clue. Hopefully I can get down to Ramapo and visit, hopefully you can come up here to visit me. But whatever you all decide to do next year, don't stop smiling. And keep in touch. Enjoy the new year, everyone.
If you'll excuse me, I've got a Monopoly game to win.
A final note...
It seems only yesterday that I watched the ball drop on TV, safe in the house of April's family, away from the melee and insanity that is Times Square. Regardless, I think I can safely say that 2007 was better than 2006. It was a much happier year for both April and myself--2006 saw us starting off in Kingston, barely making ends meet, then taking a job with the Lottery and moving thrice in quick succession from Kingston, Albany, and finally here in Schenectady, and then me getting afflicted with the chronic illness known as Crohn's disease...yeah, this year was much better. And like the previous few years before it, it will begin and end with Monopoly. It's become a year-end and year-beginning tradition...I started it back when I was living on the Cape, back when 291 Old Barnstable Road hadn't quite fallen into such depravity, chaos, and madness. It was a head-to-head match, usually with cousin Jim, or sometimes my sister Heather would get in on the fun. For the last 3 years, though, this head-to-head cutthroat game of Monopoly has been with April's brother, Ryan. Once again, it'll be with Ryan, and maybe this time it won't take me 50 minutes to beat him.
Last winter, it seemed, was a bit lacking in the snow front. We had dribs and drabs and light dustings, but nothing really that was of any substance...until Valentine's Day. Then we got walloped by a huge snowstorm which brought nearly two feet of the stuff. Next day, I was going absolutely crazy with my camera, getting some beautiful wintry shots, and after I got them developed, I saw that the black and white images were the best of the bunch, possibly some of my best work. Also in February, April, Ryan, and myself went to see a performance of Phantom of the Opera at the gorgeous Proctors Theatre, right here in Schenectady. Funny story about that--April and I had seen the Lloyd Webber musical in Boston, for the US tour of the show was there, and we went there for our 1st anniversary. Now, here we were again for the US tour--same cast, same everything. Gary Mauer plays an excellent Phantom, and his wife plays an amazing Christine. Wonderful, wonderful show. This was our Christmas present from April's mom. Another snowstorm hit on St. Patrick's day, and for the local bars, not a lot of people willing to celebrate and get plastered. Last winter also saw my seventh character battle contest, an old-school vs. new theme here. I nearly canceled the contest toward the end of the first round because of such piss-poor turnout, but the contest went on and Kinie ended up winning his second contest. Winter was a time where I didn't do much, alas...with the constant overtime at work, it prevented both April and myself from, well, life.
As we moved into April, my beloved's birthday came around again, and once again, we were going to see a show. This time, the US tour of RENT came to Proctors, and until then, I'd never seen any incarnation of the musical before--I only heard the soundtrack. This US touring company did not disappoint, and it was very amusing to see the rabid fans inside the restored Vaudeville theater. Loud, crazy, but a great show, and April enjoyed her birthday present immensely. Two or three weeks later, my friend Nick came here from Binghamton and we (along with April's family) went to see Bill Engvall, once again at Proctors...what a hysterical show that was. Also in the month, I got to go to my first live baseball game with Ben and Brie, a game in Yankee Stadium to watch the Yanks play the Orioles. What an electrifying atmosphere that was, and even though I am a Red Sox fan, it's very hard not to get caught up in the excitement that the home team can provide. The Yankees lost, 6-4, but I did get some good pics (official scoring decision: Error SS, Error SS), a great time, and the most expensive meal I've ever bought for myself--2 hot dogs, fries, and a drink...$22. This is how the Yankees can afford those monster payrolls. April and I were also in New Paltz to enjoy the springtime air, and we rounded up most of our friends there (Mary, James, Wyatt, Shanti, Jess, and Brie) and went to Peter's Kill in Minnewaska State Park, near Mohonk. We spent several hours there and enjoyed the beauty that nature gave us, including several pictures of the various female rumps in our company. Again, nature's beauty. James tried to be Superman and fell into the drink, Wyatt was climbing everything he could (funny, he isn't blue and doesn't speak with a German accent), Shanti became a wood nymph, Mary was stuffing rocks into wherever she could, and Wyatt also became the sheep.
Moving into May, April and I decided to spend our 3rd anniversary in New Paltz, and it was there that we kicked off RenFaire season, when we went to the fairgrounds nearby for the Hudson Valley Mayfaire, a very tiny faire, but fun nonetheless. Many actors who take part in the New York RenFaire were here, and the Mayfaire here was to raise money for a charity called the Queen's Galley, a program raising money to aid the hungry. There, I purchased a present for April--a dagger with a naked man on the hilt. We also made friends with a few of the performers there, including a musician who plays a mean violin and has an excellent voice by the name of NeidFyre. It was amusing to watch April sing along with her, and it nearly became the NeidFyre and April show. Most fun. We were pleasantly surprised to see NeidFyre show up once again as a guest musician at the NY RenFaire. In mid-May, we went to Cape Cod to visit my family and to celebrate my sister's birthday as well as my stepfather's. Heather and Heather had their junior prom, and the two of them looked amazing in prom dress.
With overtime continuing, we headed into June, and in late June, April and I went to Tanglewood for the first of our two trips there, seeing Garrison Keillor and the rest of the A Prairie Home Companion gang, with special guest James Taylor. I only found out about his presence the night before, and he did not disappoint at all. Of the people there at a packed Tanglewood, I have no idea how many of them were there to see JT, Garrison, or both, but even after the 2-hour show ended, Garrison and James continued entertaining the crowd with a full hour's worth of encores. The next day was spent in North Adams, and April got to go to Papyri Books, a used bookstore near Jack's (the amazing grease pit) and the MCLA campus. We also ventured into another of our must-stops, Persnickety Toys, a small toy store that carries real toys--the stuff we used to play with growing up, toys made out of real wood and metal. Not too long later, we headed into 4th of July weekend, and with that, it was a 4-day romp at Indian Head Canoes, located on the Delaware River in Barryville, NY. This was a huge adventure, as it comprised of April, Ryan, Mary, myself, and my family. And of course, it rained, POURED, nearly the entire trip, with convenient breaks in the rain for us to have a few day trips on the river itself. We had rented 2 campsites, but one of them ended up underwater. So we crammed 5 tents onto one campsite and dealt with it. My stepfather was feeling a bit bummed with the way things were going, but I wasn't going to let the natural pessimism of him ruin my experience. Despite all the rain, it was a wonderful trip. I missed being there, and everyone had fun. I may have to go back next summer, if only for the bald eagles and amazing photos I ended up getting of the scenery. God, I love nature photography. Unlike portraits, the trees don't talk back.
August officially kicked off the NY RenFaire part of the season, and opening weekend was spent with April and Wyatt, and we stayed at my grandmother's place. We blew our budget on opening day, and so the next day was spent partially at the Palisades Mall, and a romp down Lake Street, out near the edge of the 'Burg (Sloatsburg, that is). However, this particular season was of special importance to me. I had entered the Faire's annual photo contest, entered 5 pictures. None of them won, but sometimes the company uses images for their own promotional purposes. Imagine my pleasant shock when I saw that my shot of a smiling Dextre Tripp playing with fire made the back cover of the program! Then he went and signed the program for me. The man is nuts, but he's great. We would end up going to the Faire five more times, but more later. In the middle of August, Annie came up here and we went to go see the Dave Matthews Band live at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, SPAC for short. It was my first time going to an actual live concert, and it was an amazing experience. The music and the band were great, and I was rather amused being surrounded in 25,000 stoners. The 3-hour concert was very enjoyable, and even though I came home reeking of pot (and I hadn't smoked a damn thing), I'll go back there again if DMB comes around next summer. Not too long later, April and I went to Tanglewood once again, and now that I had my driver's license, April was now the passenger. This time, we went to see John Williams and the Boston Pops performing music from films--specifically, the films of director David Lean. The second part of the show, though, the Pops performed music from Williams himself, music from the Harry Potter movies, which closed with an encore from the Indiana Jones movies. At the end of the month, RenFaire once again, but before that, Ryan, April, Carolyn, big gay Dan, and myself went down to Point Pleasant Beach in NJ for the day, and it was a wonderful feeling getting to swim in the ocean again...I hadn't swam in the ocean since before I moved off the Cape. And with the waves taller than I, it was wonderful getting absolutely raped by mother nature, getting sand into every orifice in my body...to you, it may be annoying, but to me, I was having the time of my life. However, I don't ever want to pay those exorbitant fees to park and then to actually place your feet on the sand again. I like how Falmouth works--pay to park, unless you go after 5, then it's free. After 5, though, it's swim at your own risk. As it was Labor Day weekend, Sara and Shanna were also along for the Faire, including the New Paltz gang.
With September now in full swing, we went back to the Faire for the final time on its closing weekend, and there, I received a blast from the past. It was while I was at the Wrong Show/Wet Chemise contest that it happened--I saw a friend of mine that I hadn't seen since she graduated from Suffern High School, a girl who was awesome in many ways...we were in choir, and also did the spring musicals. And here she was, up on stage baring nearly all for the wet chemise contest...Meghann John. When I said hi to her after the show, it took a minute, but she remembered me, and we reminisced and caught up as we walked back to the Pub Sing. She's a teacher now, but like me, she was there at the Faire to have fun. What a trip down memory lane that was. However, Faire season wasn't over yet! In October, April and I went to Cape Cod once again to visit my family, but also to go to King Richard's Faire. It's a bit cleaner than the NY Faire in terms of humor (it's a bit more family friendly at King Richard's), but much fun was had, and my stepdad got to lie comfortably on April's chest...a happy man. We bought him an oil lamp, and I got some beautiful artwork. Finally, our Faire season would come to an end, but for all the dollars and time spent at these events...the fun and enjoyment had is always worth it.While there, my stepbrother was due to become a father any day, with his girlfriend Tanya set to go at any time. I was expecting to be jolted out of a sound sleep in the middle of the night by a screaming Tanya, but Tanya ended up being two weeks overdue. Happily, she gave birth to a healthy boy, Dakota. My aunt too was pregnant, and eventually gave birth to a healthy adorable girl, Natalie. October would end on another great note: the Red Sox winning the World Series for the second time in my lifetime. As my friend Doug so boldly proclaimed, "BECAUSE 2004 WASN'T JUST A FLUKE!"
We went to the New Paltz Gaming Convention in early November, where I was reunited with Ben and the rest of the NP gang. Video games EVERYWHERE. Hell, a couple of fuses blew out thanks to Guitar Hero, and I shot off a few rolls of film there as well. Fun times. For Veterans' Day weekend, I was asked by my boss at work if I could do some freelance photography work for the city's annual 15K race. So I did, and he was so taken with the great pictures that not only did he reimburse me for film and developing, but he gave me $30 extra for the work. I was grinning from ear to ear. As my birthday came round, Dan H. was in the area and decided to crash with us for several days. Meanwhile, I'd been plotting something since the beginning of the month--how and when I would propose to April. I had promised her in January that I'd propose before the year ended, and needless to say, she'd been asking me constantly if I was going to marry her. The question was how I would get the ring in the apartment without her knowing. She knew where it was coming from, and so if I had the ring sent directly to the apartment, she'd see the package, see where it came from, and immediately know what was inside. So, I enlisted the help of our friend Erica--I would purchase the ring and have it sent to her, and then she could take the ring, bring it to work, and I could take the tiny box and pocket it. So we did, and I hid the box in a little Coca-Cola tin I had. And April didn't have a clue. So on my birthday, after we'd gone to Red Lobster and opened my gifts, I went into the bedroom, opened with a quote from Red Dwarf, and asked April to marry me, catching her completely off guard in the process. And of course, she said yes, and then came the outpouring of congratulations. I think Facebook said it best, though, when I changed the relationship status to "engaged," and it said in my profile: "April French has approved your relationship request." Now she's getting dragged about by the ring around her neck, and she couldn't be happier. That, I believe, is the highlight of my year. And shortly after that, we went to Cape Cod to spend Thanksgiving with my family, and I finally got to see babies Dakota and Natalie, and they were cute. And quiet, which surprised me.
So finally, we come to December, the end of the year. We had our holiday party held here in the apartment, and it was quite a feat cramming everyone in, but we did. All of our guests had fun, and while some couldn't make it, we hope you come see us soon. I got to experience the insanity that is Raving Rabbids, the hilarity of Apples to Apples, and Dan D. fell in love with April's typewriter. Now he has one. Clackity clackity clackity. I began a part-time job as a photographer at a portrait studio--even though I ultimately wish to do nature photography, I could use the experience. Finally, Christmas came around, an enjoyable time, and here we are, about to say farewell to 2007. Despite the horrible politics here, the sorry state of global affairs, it was still a good year personally...I hope the good times continue throughout. What next year holds we wait to find out, but I hope it brings joy to me and mine. And the same to all of you, who've been with me for the ride. The only thing I can say for sure is that I'll be beginning to plan a wedding with my lovely, and that I'll be holding my final large character battle contest as well as trying to get back into college. Other than that, I haven't a clue. Hopefully I can get down to Ramapo and visit, hopefully you can come up here to visit me. But whatever you all decide to do next year, don't stop smiling. And keep in touch. Enjoy the new year, everyone.
If you'll excuse me, I've got a Monopoly game to win.
