This was another year filled with mixed emotions. More trips to doctors’ offices than ever. First it was the foot, then it was the knee, then it was the toe and finally it was the calf—which was painful every step of the marathon this year. However, the end result has a finely tuned body in just about the best shape of my life.

Blanca finally received her green card so we were able to visit her family in Mexico and can now plan our honeymoon in Italy for this coming February.
Two dreams of mine (since the early ‘70s) were fulfilled this year. I went to Philadelphia on Independence Day and I went to see the Dolphins play football in Miami.

Whatever highs I have had this year have been suddenly dimmed by the recent death of a beloved family member, my sister-in-law, Mrs. Susan Begley. She was a real sweetheart and will be deeply missed. Next year’s achievements will be in her honor.

In theatre and art is was a good year. In concert I saw the clock turned back to 1977 as Jimmy Page and Robert Plant pranced about the stage at the Garden. Led Zeppelin lives on.

The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Lion King and Forever Tango were pure entertainment.

A short trip to Caesar’s Palace threw Blanca and I back to ancient Rome. Fabulous! And a trip to Monticello is something every American should do at least once in his/her life.

HBO’s From the Earth to the Moon showed a tiny capsule of reason and achievement. This was by far the television highlight of the year.
Rush’s Different Stages and Page/Plant’s Walking Into Clarksdale topped the CD list.

Cal Ripken’s streak ended and so did mine. 13 straight years at Merrill Lynch. One unbroken streak is my purchase of flowers for Blanca every Thursday since we were married two years ago.
Starting in April, all my mailings via US mail will have a stamp of Ayn Rand on it. I helped accelerate this stamp project a few years ago.
With that, 1999 promises to be very different from any previous year of my life.

Top 10 Achievements
10. Ran marathon in 3 hours 55 minutes.
9. 115 straight days in health club.
8. Read over 40 books.
7. Got entire family on e-mail.
6. Ayn Rand stamp acceptance (April ’99).
5. Counterparts Toastmasters, first-rate club.
4. Closer to the in-laws. Spanish.
3. Active participant in The Fountainhead seminar by Glenn Marcus
2. Honored my parents by adopting a tree for them in Central Park.
1. Blanca Begley…more than a soul mate in ’98.

1999 Goals
1. Keep Blanca happy.
2. Start new career… no more bull.
3. Hablar mas espanol con la familia de Blanca.
4. Keep reading passion alive.
5. Complete first triathlon.
6. Dance four times a week.
7. Renew old relationships.
8. Maintain Counterparts Toastmasters as first-rate speaking club.
9. Keep track of all items I lend out.
10. Rest.