Like the blast off of an Apollo space mission, this year started with a magnificent explosion—then surged with blistering speed toward its objective. Picture yourself on the most important day of your life—being able to utilize the skills you have spent your whole life developing, i.e., organizing, writing, speaking (even in Spanish), dancing, singing and financing the whole event. Also imagine honoring your deceased parents, warmly greeting your new family, surprising your bride by bringing her to the Waldorf Astoria on your wedding night. That is how spectacular this year started for me. Since then it has become even better. I will only say that every human being should experience this kind of radiant joy that comes from being in love with a true soul mate. To top it off, imagine living in the center of the center of the universe. That is way better than heaven!

Oh yes, other things did happen this year. I sat in Yankee Stadium and watched my New York Mets trounce the home team. Treasures from the archives were brought to life this year in music and literature: Led Zeppelin’s BBC Sessions and Journals of Ayn Rand, respectively. A drive down to Washington D.C. to see the film Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life proved to be the cinematic highlight of the year—by far. On Broadway I was underwhelmed by Frank Langella’s interpretation of Cyrano but overwhelmed by the revival of 1776 and Beauty and the Beast.

Top 10 Achievements of 1997
10. Perfect Attendance for 11th consecutive year at Merrill Lynch.
9. Learned Spanish. (At least more than I knew last year.)
8. Finished 5th NYC marathon. Got quite soaked.
7. Studied Ballroom dance… finally.
6. Promoted to Associate at Merrill Lynch.
5. New apartment on Central Park South. Partial credit.
4. Bought flowers for Blanca every Thursday.
3. Attended Rush concert in Toronto—a goal since 1977.
2. Founded Counterparts Toastmasters club.
1. Married Blanca Ortiz on the Night of January 16th.

1998 Goals
1. Maintain ideal marriage.
2. Be in the best shape of my life. Ready for triathlon.
3. Sell my apartment on West 102nd St.
4. Earn money speaking and/or writing.
5. Spiritual fuel: read 2 classic books, visit 2 museums, attend 3 concerts per month.
6. Make Counterparts Toastmasters a first-rate club.
7. Run NYC marathon in less than 4 hours.
8. New kitchen.
9. More dance classes with Blanca.
10. Write first draft of book about NYC: Center of the Universe.