The world we now live in is fundamentally different from anytime in history. The explicit goal of many governments, organizations and individuals is mass destruction of American lives. Our enemies will succeed with these disastrous plans unless we have the moral resolve to oppose them. Do we have what it takes? I’m afraid not, unless we consistently uphold the most fundamental American values of life, liberty, property and the pursuit of happiness.

Even though I did not know anyone personally who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center (I know many friends of friends), I would have almost the same exact feelings of anger and sadness if the towers were vacant when they were destroyed. Those buildings represented the best that this country offers: free trade—it was called the World Trade Center; high technology—from computerized elevators to innovative structural engineering and much more; man’s creative genius—some of the world’s most productive minds (whom we shamefully never hear about) died in those attacks. Personally, I think our military approach has been severely underwhelming. Flying now has become a potential contact sport in my mind. As far as New York goes, I’m afraid that if we do not blast these barbarians back to the Stone Age they desire, it is likely that my beloved city will briefly normalize, only to be attacked again on an even more massive scale.

Okay, enough gloom and doom. Aside from September 11 there were other losses. Three close friends of mine lost their significant others and it was grueling to witness the pain involved. The Yankees lost the World Series. (Wait, was that bad news?)

Fortunately the year ended with three quantum leaps forward: competitive swimming, dancing onstage for the first time in over ten years, and speaking semi-fluent Spanish.

I had a chance to sing some electric Led Zeppelin tunes onstage for the first time in many years. Better yet, I saw Robert Plant perform some of those same songs from only ten feet away. Yes at Radio City was phenomenal. I wish there was new music by new artists that I could enjoy. The closest I came to that was being profoundly moved by Jeff Buckley’s Grace—seven years late.

Favorite plays: Judgment at Nuremberg, Stones in His Pockets, Hedda Gabler. Favorite live shows: Momix, Blast, Dralion. Favorite musicals: The Producers, The Music Man, Seussical, Follies. American Ballet Theatre’s Giselle proved that romantic art at its highest is still accessible. Best film: hands down, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

Rush will release their first studio record in over five years and I guarantee this will serve as a soundtrack for a better year ahead. And, by the way, isn’t it wonderful to see the American flag flying everywhere?

Top 10 Achievements of 2001

10. Two letters to the editor published in the New York Post.
9. Read over 40 books.
8. Treated three dear individuals to trip to Las Vegas.
7. Joined Red Tide swim club and worked out three times a week
(over 2 miles per workout).
6. Purchased and worked out regularly on the Gyrotonic Expansion System.
5. Communicated with Blanca’s family better than ever.
4. Built technology rack system for Spiderdance, Inc. (used on The Weakest Link).
3. Performed a solo in Staten Island Ballet’s The Nutcracker.
2. Customized my own web page, www.robert.begley.com, to include my writings, photos, etc.
1. Celebrated five beautiful years with my soul mate and counterpart, Blanca.

Goals for 2002

1. Share more happiness with my precious wife, Blanca.
2. Start business venture combining technology and art.
3. Sell Blanca’s father’s house in La Jolla.
4. Attain Fitness Certification.
5. Perform more music and/or dance onstage somewhere else.
6. Purchase new computer system.
7. Continue writing.
8. Really finish reading The Fountainhead (aloud) in Spanish.
9. Read over 50 new books.
10. Entertain more guests regularly in our home.