Today I am turning 31 years old.

The past year has been full of many things for me. Many very difficult decisions, many great experiences, many once in a lifetime experiences. Things have been going amazingly well for me lately and I couldn’t even hope for them to go much better.

However, today is a little melancholy for me because a good friend, Joey Deal, is leaving for Djibouti, Africa with his Marine unit. He will return in 10 months. Godspeed Joey, be safe over there. We are all looking forward to your safe return.

That being said…
Thanks everyone for the great gifts and all of the phone calls—they really make me feel special.

Happy Birthday to me!

Bootnote: a quote that I really like from Ralph Waldo Emerson

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense.