Year in Review

So... for the past few years, I've sat down close to my birthday for some pensive recollection of the past year. It's usually a depressing ritual revisiting the past year, what I didn't do, the mistakes I've made, and how I could have better played the system. This year, however, I'm committed to changing my tune. It's all positivity and cheer on my end.

Travels - I've got a lot to be happy about this year. I've done plenty of travelling in 2007 - starting with Chicago for New Years. I'd go through a complete list but the photo evidence is probably a better way to see it (http://public.fotki.com/raggett/). The highlights would have to be: Chicago for New Years, Skiing in Steamboat with Dad in February, Visiting Grandma in San Francisco in February, moving to London in March, Easter in Russia, Ireland in May with Behrens, Taking Mom to Wimbledon in June, Engman's birthday trip to Krakow, Poland in July, my trip home in October, and Visiting Paris with Jill last month. That's a partial list but what pops out in my mind. I'm looking forward to more travel in the coming year (China in January, ?San Fran in March?) and invite anyone looking for a vacation to let me know...

The Year of the Visitor - Since moving to London in March, I've had some great friends and family come visit me in England. I do love hosting and showing people around my new city, but have the luxury of a corporate apartment no longer (aka no extra bedroom in London). That said, many thanks to those who took the opportunity to visit - Brent Behrens, Frank Cardinale, LaBebe Nickell, Scott Simpson, Eleanor Raggett, David Peal, Francisco "Kit" Reyes, and Jill Crawford. I guarantee I enjoyed your visit as much as you and do it again sometime soon.

Newfound friends and life - Needless to say leaving Kansas City meant leaving many of my friends and family members back home. Left in London to fend for myself, I'm happy to have made some great friends, acquaintances, and co-workers across the pond. I'm not going to lie and tell you England is where I call home (KC wins that battle), but I will tell you I'm happy and comfortable in London. The people are great, the population diverse, and most are generally open-minded. I could go on and on about the pros and cons of London, but I'm happy to be where I am, doing what I'm doing, and making a step I thought I'd made when I first graduated college.

A Little More Consistency - One of the best things about living in London is not having to travel for work four days a week. Leaving home every Monday morning for a different city is tiring and leaves a lot to be said. You can't play Soccer or Basketball on weeknights, keep any sort of regular relationship, and miss out on all sorts of things. Anyways, living and working in the same city is great. I love what I'm doing and keeping more regular friendships. A side effect is a life less erratic, spending more quality time with fewer people, and keeping focus on my goals and ambitions. I apologize to anyone who thinks I've been a little distant the past couple months. I don't know if it's my entry into my late-twenties, but I'm happy not to spread myself too thin and concentrate on quality with an elite few.

For the holidays, the last thing I want is to fill your inbox with baseless well-wishes, empty grettings, or crappy forwards. I'll be in touch with each of you (hopefully soon) about one thing or another. I look forward to more good memories and hope you're all part of them!

Merry Christmas - Brian

More pics posted

It's already been a Long December in London - pub crawls, unending holiday parties, ice skating in Hyde Park, going away hoorays, Nottingham Forest football matches in Brighton, and...

http://public.fotki.com/raggett/long-december/