Xander ,'Get It Done'
Every year we watch the Charlie Brown special, do the Snoopy dance, wish everybody a Merry Christmukkah, and thank our Secret Santas in the good riddance thread. Which is this one, in case you were wondering. Oh, and 2004? Don't think we've forgotten about you.
Tom, I don't think I have adequate words for this, but -- you are amazing. And brave as hell. And I say that knowing more than a little about trying to deal in the present with family bullshit from the past.
And on top of that, you're just plain nifty.
What Steph said.
Tom is well beyond nifty, and into complete cool.
We haven't met, Tom, and I hope I'm not being presumptuous, but {{{Tom}}}.
Tom of the blazing smile and the quick info and the spectacular pictures which he shares with us all. You are, as Tep said, amazing. And an invaluable part of this community. I've had the amazing good fortune to meet you in person. But more than that, I've known you as a Buffista for several years. And even in your conversation on the board I can tell you've made enormous strides.
The post you just made? You couldn't have posted that year before last, nor last year either, I don't think. You're incredibly brave, incredibly strong, and I'm very very glad you're here.
And on top of that, you're just plain nifty.
Quite nifty. It was lovely to see you in New York, and I'm glad you came.
Tom is great and I am lucky enough to get to spend time with him more often than most.
_______________
My 2004 started with a lot of promise, or at least the hope for a lot of promise. It did not live up to expectations which is disappointing, but not the end of the world.
I am hoping for a calm 2005. There will be certain unavoidable life changes, but I do not plan to move and the adoption stuff will be on hold for a while.
I hope you all have healthy and peaceful new years.
What Beverly said, Tom.
t joins the Tom-love
It's always marvelous to see Tom, even though I never seem to find the time to talk to him much, Buffista gatherings being what they are (boisterous and chattery, among others).
2004 didn't suck. Wasn't great, but it didn't suck. I went to Hawaii again for the PFH, but this time I got to do a little traveling around the islands -- saw the North Shore, and the volcanoes on the Big Island, and ate greaet sushi with a friend who happened to be there at the same time.
Saw the Zmayhems get hitched and had a great weekend with Buffistas, snarked through Troy with Meara and Nutty. Got a raise, bought a new watch, saw my brother get married at the best wedding EVAR (sorry, Hec and JZ), spent a lovely week in Jackson Hole.
Finished the PFH. Got a new furnace and new chimney and new car (and now have no money, oy). Turned 40. The earth did not collapse.
Lost an old family friend, gained a new sister-in-law. Planning a long trip to New Zealand with some dear friends.
Yeah, there are things which could have been better. My mother's health is not good and not improving. The election results were disappointing. I'm out of shape, not writing what I'd planned to this year, watching too much tv, not getting out enough.
But all in all, I can't really complain; my family is mostly well, and mostly healthy, I'm still employed. I have a dog and a house and too many books waiting to be read. And I have the invisible people in my computer, who are marvelous, generous, witty souls.
From 2005 I want more energy, more discipline, and to finish some of the projects I've been working on for far too long (both work-related and other). For the world -- well, that's a long list. I'll spare you all.
saw my brother get married at the best wedding EVAR (sorry, Hec and JZ),
Can't imagine how this is possible since there was no drunk Nutty at your brother's wedding. The entertainment value of a pixillated Nutty Vee cannot be overstated.