2010 Was a Sweet Ride

It's hard to sum up 365 days in a few words. Twelve months, 52 weeks, 525,600 minutes....a lot takes place, good, bad and ugly. For me, and for my lovely bride, it may have been a challenging year, but 2010 was also full of promise, change and evolution. We endured the passing of beloved relatives, the welcoming of new clients and projects, crises and passion. Just as I was struggling to find a theme, a capstone appeared on Christmas day.

Perry's album "Sweet Ride" was launched in 2009, but it's really still being released and publicized. The title track was written with the hope of being featured on the NPR show Car Talk. Amazingly, just having a producer named David "The Calves of Belleville" Greene wasn't enough to get us automatically included in their musical selection. Perry submitted her CD to the Car Talk staff. Repeatedly. And heard nothing back, for months.

Finally, on the Christmas day show, episode #1052, you can hear Sweet Ride. Listen toward the end of segment 6. The full track is also available on Perry's website right here. I've known how talented she is for a long time. Now the whole NPR listening community gets to find out, too. I love you, sweetie!

In adding on to the trend started last year where I recounted things for which I was grateful, here is my short list for 2010:

1) My clients: starting up an independent consultancy only works if there are people and organizations who want -- and are willing to pay for -- your services. 2010 taught me a few things.  First, I'm a lousy marketer. Second, if I give it some effort, I can find a niche for my talents. Greene Means Go Consulting would just be a vivid fantasy without friendly and loyal clients, spread coast to coast. I thank them all.

2) My house: When millions of Americans suffer through the agony of foreclosure, it's no small feat to admit the obvious - having a home is something to be thankful for. Sure, we had to endure almost a year of annoying, frustrating back and forth conversations with our lender to modify the mortgage, but in the end we're still in the home we love, for a figure we can manage. Maynard is a great town, and that's from someone who never thought he could live without an MBTA trolley rolling in front of his door. Every time I travel (which is less and less these days) I remember that there's no place like home.

3) My dogs: Without Cami and Harry, I wouldn't have much of a tie to Pet Connection. Without Cami and Harry, P and I wouldn't have a tiny fraction of the entertainment that we do. Without Cami and Harry, we'd miss out on the love and incredible joy of these adorable, loving souls  This Thursday marks nine years since they appeared in our lives.  I couldn't imagine my life without them, and I don't want to.

4) My wife: She's my sweetheart, my best friend, my musical idol, and my soulmate. 2010 was both the best of times and the worst of times, but she's still here, and so am I, looking forward to the new year, and whatever 2011 has in store for us.

So how do your measure 525,600 minutes? Remember the love.

May you have a healthy, happy new year.