As this year, decade, century and millennium draw to an end, the time has come to look both backwards and forwards to see where things stand. This was a year unlike any other in my life. To begin with, I ended my thirteen-year relationship with the corporation whose logo, motto and method of treating its valued employees can be summed up in one word: bull. I did it at the right time. Consequently, this was a year of less work and more play. I did more traveling than ever before as more than three full months were spent outside New York City. Two trips to Europe (Italy for my grandmother, Ireland for my father, England for my deceased best friend) and two trips to Mexico for Blanca’s family. Regarding family matters, I took a trip to the house I grew up in the Bronx. It is about a year since my sister-in-law Susan passed away. She is still vividly in my thoughts as I write these words.

Sports were a mere tease as the Knicks and Mets went further than I expected. In fact I went to my first playoff baseball games. Unfortunately, I still waste too much time following sports.

In theatre and art, the year wasn’t as jam-packed as I would have liked. John Paul Jones’ new CD Zooma and concert were hands down the top musical event of the year for me. A French theatrical production of Le Sid was a pleasant surprise. The musical of Les Miserables still stands the test of time. The new biography of Victor Hugo is an eye opener. October Sky, The Sixth Sense and The Winslow Boy were my favorite films of the year.

1999 is a crossroads in my life. Next year will be my most productive year financially and I will grow in unlimited ways. However, it won’t be easy, as there are already many conflicts involved in this decision. Hopefully, continuing my flowers-for-Blanca-every-week tradition will help.

Top 10 Achievements of 1999
10. Finished seventh, final and happiest NYC marathon.
9. Drove over 500 miles in Ireland and England without accident.
8. Rested (and wasted enough time) making me anxious for new major projects.
7. Mind/Body integration including ballet and yoga regularly.
6. Essay written on trip to Italy.
5. Learned Spanish enough to fake serious conversations.
4. Profited from stock market investments.
3. Finished first mini triathlon in Central Park in 1 hour 44 minutes.
2. Spread my father’s ashes on his home soil in Ireland.
1. Kept Blanca happy by spending more time with her than ever.

Y2K Objectives
1. Keep Blanca happy, a difficult task this year.
2. Start Project Mex.
3. Maintain my integrity.
4. Speak Spanish with fluency.
5. Change workout habits to include less pounding and more fluidity.
6. Finish first draft on my book on New York City.
7. Save more money than ever.
8. Continue avid reading in English and Spanish.
9. Less sports, more business.
10. Organize apartment so I can find anything I own in 5 minutes.