‘Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house not a creature was stirring, only my Microsoft mouse….

Yes, it’s that time of year again, and it’s late again. Finally I put all my names & addresses in a database so doing these mailings is a bit easier. I hope 1996 has been a good year for you and your family, and that you are looking forward to 1997. The year 2000 is right around the corner. Well, let me tell you what I’ve been doing.

On December 31, 1996 & January 1, 1996 Donna, Rob (a friend from work), and I got together with a small group of friends in Times Square, in New York City. We had dinner, went to Rockerfeller Center and saw the big Christmas tree, and the NBC Today Show studio. It was great the weather was good and we felt safe (hard to believe) in New York City. I’d never seen so much confetti in my life.

I won’t be on the cover of "Runner’s Week" but …. Donna, her little girl, and I did several races this past year. Our goal was to do a race in each state of New England. We did 5K’s in Nasuha, New Hampshire; Plymouth, Mass; Barrington, RI; Kennibunk Port, Maine; and two races in Connecticut. One race was Thanksgiving Day morning, called "The Manchester" over 11,000 people in this 4.78 mile race. This was the second year that we ran in the Manchester. Last year Donna & I did it in 1 hour, 5 minutes. This year I did it in 59 minutes, and Donna did it in under 52 minutes. She was on a mission.

On February 23, 1996 I closed on my condo. I have waited a long time to be a home owner. It’s great. I’ve got a mortgage, and a tax deduction.

Some other fun things we did were: Pied Piper play, Whale Watching, Plymouth Plantation, Sturbridge Village, Boston (Swan Boats, Cheers, Top of the Pru, Science Museum, and other historic places), and Washington DC.

The big change in my life is that I am no longer working at Farmtek, Since August I have been doing contract programming in Lanhem, Maryland. It’s about 10 miles outside of DC, and inside ‘the Beltway’. I am renting a room in Greenbelt, MD. It stinks being away from Donna. However, I do try to get home once or twice a month. One thing that has been a blessing is my new found friend/roommate Greg. He is renting my extra room. It is nice to have someone I can trust taking care of my place while I am in DC. The job itself is great. I am learning new things, and doing well.

I turned 40 years old this year. I still feel 18 in my head, but, my body reminds me I’m not. As I have reflected on the past and look towards the future, I feel pretty good. It’s hard to believe that 20 years ago, that Gene and I headed for the Alaska pipeline. We never made it to Alaska, but I am very happy with the path my life has taken. I haven’t a clue what I’ll be doing in the year 2001. But, it will fun, and you my friends will still be an important part of my life.

Donna has finished her second semester at the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy. She will finish her studies the end of 1997 (a 5 semester program). I get to be homework. She really gives a great massage. It’s amazing at how a trained person in massage can really loosen the stress in the body.

To those of you who sent Christmas cards and letters, Thank you. To those who haven’t, I do accept late Christmas cheer. Please let me know what you’ve been up to. Merry Christmas, and may 1997 be a great year for all of you.