Goodbye 2006 A Year of Firsts

In but a few hours, 2006 will officially be over. For some, this will be a relief, for others perhaps a time to mourn and others still will be wistful. It is natural when times come to an end to become reflective over all that we have gained and all that we have lost. Look at every awards show; they always have some sort of retrospective on the previous year. Right now, every TV show is, and has been running, some sort of look back on 2006. Be it the year in sports, entertainment, world politics, music or general happenings, somewhere you can find a review and remembrance of the previous 12 months. Each piece is carefully crafted to bring a mix of emotions, from a happy moment or something that brings a smile to our faces that we forgot, to moments of sadness and loss that we may still be coping with. Everyone likes these shows, I myself am a fan too. It is like a nice summary of events important to us, no matter the subject. A nice piece of closure for us to hold onto while we prepare for the new year in front of us, wondering what it may bring with it as that ball drops and heralds in the new year, a new slate with new challenges, joys and sorrows.

Like many of us, I too have been thinking of the past year as the new one approaches, thinking of all the things that have changed in my life and all of the things I have had the luck and opportunity to try and do. Like many, I find myself looking back at the end of each year, thinking of all the changes in my life over the previous 12 months, how they have shaped me and how they add to the experiences of previous years to make me who I am. I tend to also think of how far I have come and who I have become, all of the changes that have happened to me in my life to bring me to this point, and of all the changes, opportunities and experiences to come in the future. I tend to find that each year as my opportunities and experiences expand, there is a list of things I have done or have been a part of for the first time. Each item on the list adds a new piece to who I am and who I will be. Some years, I tend to do very little and things of very little consequence, or maybe just one or two things of consequence, like the year I moved to California. A few times, I find that I have done, seen or experienced a myriad of things that have delighted, enthralled or expanded who I am in ways I never even dreamed possible.

I made a pact with myself years ago to help me overcome my introverted nature. I promised myself to never pass up an opportunity to experience something, be it good, bad, joyous, exhilarating, scary or even just something new or different in my life. I tend to be apprehensive to new experiences, fearful of the unknown, but knowing if I skip them, I am potentially missing out on an exhilarating experience, or at the least a hilarious story of good times gone bad. A few times in the past, I have allowed this introverted, fearful nature to cause me to miss things that I have regretted ever since. Not many, but enough to make me say, I never want to miss another chance or opportunity again. Personally, I do not want to leave this existence without trying, tasting, experiencing, seeing and doing everything I possibly can. I do not want to get to the end of my life and say I wish I had, I want to say I remember when I did. Life is a journey and a never ending period of growth. If you stop growing, learning, evolving, changing then you stop living and merely exist. I never want to exist, I want to always live.

As I look back on 2006, I find that I have had the opportunity to keep my promise to myself and have one of those years where I was able to see and do a variety of things I never have had an opportunity to do in the past. I knew as the year started, that this year would be a year of firsts, knowing that I would be doing a few things I never have before. As the year progressed, I realized how much it really was a year of firsts. As I look down this list, each a part of another chapter of my life in progress, I realize the incredible opportunities I have had in my life, and how lucky I have been. It sometimes stuns me, and humbles me, that in our world where turmoil seems to reign, that one can experience good things.

So if you would permit me, I would like to share with you things I have experienced in 2006 for the first time. All have made an impact on me, and I am still in awe that I have been able to do these things. Some of these may seem trivial, and some you may look upon and think, you are just now doing this, I did this when I was 15. But we all grow at different rates, and opportunities come to us differently and at various points in our lives. 2006 was one of those years for me, and I tried to take advantage of each one as best I could. I share these not as part of an ego trip, but merely because I would like to share some of the good times and amazing things I have been blessed and fortunate enough to experience.

2006 was the first time I…..

…. took a trip outside of the country.

…. visited Cabo San Lucas Mexico.

…. went to a wedding in New Jersey.

…. went camping with my girlfriend.

.... visited Yosemite National Park.

…. went to Las Vegas with my girlfriend, her first trip there ever.

…. went to a football game at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

…. remember watching the Steelers win a Super Bowl. I was 6 the last time they won the big game.

…. saw all five Steeler Super Bowl trophies in person, and the first time I actually have ever seen a Super Bowl trophy in person.

…. watched live in person the Rose Bowl Parade. Ok, technically this is in 2007, but the planning and prep for the event took place in 2006.

…. saw a concert in the Hollywood Bowl.

…. took in the sights, sounds and revelry of a renaissance fair.

…. ate octopus.

…. drank very expensive spirits. It was at a friend’s who offered us a drink of whisky that was aged 25 years and goes for $350 a bottle. Not surprisingly, it was very smooth and delicious. You do get what you pay for with fine spirits.

…. obtained a U.S. passport.

…. flew in a small two seater plane.

…. I flew a plane.

…. decided what I wanted to be when I grew up and began taking writing seriously.


My hope for 2007 is to experience even more of the things this planet has to offer. I know they may not always be stunning or even enjoyable, but the point of living life is to take the good with the bad, and I hope 2007 brings much more good than bad, as we all do.

I encourage everyone to live life to the fullest. We never know what will happen in the future, and with our world in the state that it is, our lives could change in an instant. Even under the best of circumstances, life is fleeting and short, and we should work hard to cherish each moment we have. Do things that you enjoy, lend a helping hand to those in need, take adventures you never thought you would, see things you only dreamed about, try things that have made you fearful in the past. Grab that brass ring and run with it, in everything you do. Make an impact in your life, and watch how it makes an impact on those around you and your world at large. Living life can help change our world for the better. Push yourselves to add to your life, so one day you can sit back and marvel at all the things that have made your life a full and fulfilled one. Keep a list, check things off, add to it, and check them off. Keep moving, evolving and growing. The more you do, the more you can do. If we all did more, how great would our world be?