It is my sincerest hope that 2008 is better than 2007, but even with the bad year I had, there were some wonderful moments that helped remind me I am a very fortunate person (even when laying at the bottom of an elevator shaft ). I wish to share a few of them with you.

The biggest negaties that occurred in my life this year were the loss of both friends and family, the recognition that private practicr was not forme, and of course that incident in the elevator. But there have been more good than bad, and out of the bad, good was there.

I lost both my Aunt Mary and my cousin Phil only weeks apart, I also lost some good friends, including my chipping buddy David Kolenda. We lost David to cancer, but what I will always remember about him was his no quit attitude, his passion, and his humor. When I got hurt, he made light of it, made me laugh about it, besides how can you get angry at someone who is fighting a bigger battle, when he pokes a little fun (he poked it at himself all the time).

I was reminded of all the friends I have in this hobby, and of all the folks who share of themselves. It is always a risk to make a list, because inevitably you forget someone important, but here is a try…

Von McKenzie
Mike Pasternack
Geri and Fred Hemple
Sheldon and Christine Smith
Shoop
Doug Smith
The old board and the new board
Claude Argo
Archie and Brenda Black
The Lynchs
Ron May and Julie Smith
Brian Cashman
Ron Lammer
PamHolmgren
Riverboat Rick
Travis Lewin
Mike Heron
Palumbo
Noble
Pushkin
Chopek
Hertel
Follis
Pushkin
Tyrus Mulkey
Hauptman
Meister
Katie
Silverman

…OK, you all get the idea. I could include double the names and still not cover everybody. To all of you thank you for your thoughts and prayers, and for helping me laugh thru it all.

Also thank you to all of you who supported the Chicagoland Chippers Cancer Chip effort. I still have a few left, as well as the $25 Indiana Casino chips available (the healthier I get the harder I am gonna push these). I was terrified that I had lost the cash we had collected when I went down the shaft, but I had left it in my carry on bag (wooo). I have already forwarded $1100 and will be sending the balance when all the chips are sold, and the final tallies are determined.

I do have one complaint… I chose to not have surgery so I could get out of the hospital to make the splashie presentation and be in the photo- Geri Hempel even threatened to beat up the nursing staff (again) if they didn’t move it along- yet you all couldn’t wait for me? At least Lighterman could post (and forward to me) the pic he took when I got out of the hospital (posing with Bam).

Speaking of pics, I’d like to see some of the convention photos, especially the ones taken of us by the famous Riviera sculpture (taken by Tammy Lynch), the pic of me and Von’s wife (taken by Greg), and any others (also forward them to me-please). I have tried to post the photose from the shaft, but have had no luck, maybe Von could if he still has them, if he doesn’t, I will try anew. OK, I also would like a copy of that photo with Von attacking me on the scooter.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!