Wednesday, December 26, 2007

The Year that Was 2007

Christmas has now come and gone for another year and we have a new year in which we can usher in with a bunch of fanfare. Unfortunately I won't be able to ring in the new year like most people as I will be at work when the clock strikes midnight! Not like I've done all that much when I've been able to enjoy it in the past; but hopefully next year I'll be able to catch the ball drop that takes place in our small city every year - that is, if it's not cancelled because of a lack of funds like it almost was this year. Not that I am a big drinking person mind you like a lot of people are on New Years Eve, but it would be nice to check out that event for once in my life at least.

With 2007 nearly over, it's time to look back at the year that was in my personal life. And I can basically sum it up in one word: uneventful. Yep, that's right ... not a whole lot went on in my life this year and that's not necessarily a bad thing, because as the saying goes, no news is good news. My life was pretty stable in 2007. I lived in my current apartment the entire year (no moving this year), my employment status was stable (no layoffs, no shutdowns, no strikes), and my family life was stable as well (no deaths, births, illnesses, etc). In that regard I am very thankful. I guess probably one of the most exciting events of 2007 was going through a hellacious hail storm inside of an Applebee's restaurant with the lights flickering inside of the restaurant and watching the hail pound the heck out of my dad's 1994 Chevy pick-up. That took place in July and was an event that I'll never forget.

My love life, or lack thereof remained pretty much the same as it did in 2006. Although this year I did date a couple of different girls, but it just didn't work out. Hopefully the new year will help me find my true love. But I have come to find out that love ain't easy, and I am definitely someone not looking to rush into anything. I would like things for start slow, kind of get to know the person really well, and then see where things end up. I think in my last relationship, I kind of freaked the girl out by acting like she was the one for me when she didn't feel the same about me. Apparently she found her true match as she's looking to marry the guy and have his kids! So much for being patient and taking her time.

2008 should be a much more active year for me. It'll be an important year for my employer as our union's contract expires on September 1, 2008. If the contract negotiations go south, I may be headed to the picket lines as we go on strike. I hope that doesn't happen, but you never know exactly how things will end up. In this day of increasing health care costs and companies looking to eliminate pension plans, it may very well be an interesting round of negotiations with the company. Not only that, but there should be some stipulations in the contract that just might determine how long the mine I work at will remain open. Either it will remain open awhile longer but with a reduced work force or continue at the same work force and close sooner. Also additional ore reserves may allow us to remain open for a long time to come. Lets just say there are a lot of uncertainties with my job not only next year but for many years to come. 2008 is just the start of an uncertain time at the mine.

If contract negotiations go well and a strike is either averted or settled pretty quickly, I will begin the process of house hunting. I will be looking for a permanent place of residence somewhere relatively close to my place of employment. It should be an interesting challenge trying to find the right house for my needs. There is a lot of time between now and early fall to really decide on the kind of house for me. Whether it'll be fairly new or a fixer-upper or something small that I can eventually add-on to. I guess that remains to be seen as we progress through the new year. Maybe I can find a duplex and rent out the other half like my dad has suggested I do if I happen to find a duplex. House hunting should be an interesting thing to experience for the first time in my life.

Well, that just about does it for now. The new year is less than a week away. Hope that your new year ends up being a pleasant and enjoyable one for ya.

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