2008

Well another year is coming to an end and, as I’m sure as most people are doing, I’m looking back back at the past year. Was it a successful year? Did I accomplish what I set to? You know the usual questions.

A lot has happened this year. On of the greatest things that happened was I became an Uncle in June! Aidan is a cute kid and I can’t wait to get him started with a soccer ball. lol

In the past year I have taken on leadership roles in many different places. Last spring I put together a team (FC Blackbird) for the Keystone State games and we won the bronze. From that I continued the team and we play indoor together. We keep ending up in second place, but hopefully in next weeks final we can change that. I’m helping organize Berks United. My outdoor team that’s won the championship the past 3 years in a row. I’m still organizing the German group in Lancaster: Netzwerk Central PA. We went through some changes this year, but we are still going strong and we have good group of regulars. All this and that’s counting running a business…

This fall marked the 1 year milestone for my business: Blackbird e-Solutions. By that I mean, the first year my only income was generated through my business. The company was founded in early 2005, but it was mostly a part-time gig until March of 2007. The last company I worked for was Google and I stopped working for them in September of 2007. The majority of startups don’t make it past the first year. I’ve said it before, but I know that I owe a lot of that to my good freind Scott.

The past 2 months November and December were the hardest months I’ve had for business this year. The combination of the economy slowing and the holidays have made things.. well interesting. But, I really believe that this coming year is going to be good in regards to business.

2008 certainly was not without challenges though. Those close to me that know what I’ve gone through, particularly in the last month know what I mean. I believe that one of me best characteristics is that I’m an eternal optimist. So as challenging as things get I still believe that great things will happen. It is just a matter of figuring out how to make them come true. Plus, what’s the old Nietzsche quote? “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger”.

This year I’ve also met a lot of new people. Some of them have turned into good friends others have come and gone. I don’t really believe in destiny, but I do believe that people cross paths for reasons and it’s up to us to figure out what those reasons are. I think for the most part the people I’ve met this year have each taught me something. I know I have been bad at keeping in touch with a lot of people. Sorry. This year has absolutely flown by and I have been extremely busy…. I know that’s not an excuse, but I will try and do better.

I know I’ve only hit some of the highlights. A couple others: My youngest sister was married a good friend is now engaged.

Well, we have one more day of 2008, and I’m looking forward to 2009.

I hope everyone had a good Christmas and has a great New Years!