Its been a tough year in ways that were not expected. I’ve always acknowledged being a bit rigid; it helps actually a lot in dealing with those organizations which are rule run due to massive size and complicated missions. That and an ability to learn rules as well as how to make them work for you rather than against one made surviving in the military for more than 30 years possible, if not always fun. We (the royal “we” here) are totally and completely ignoring the two miserable years I spent in Munich.

I really don’t appreciate dirty air, poverty, and government corruption. The time I spent in India and Nepal was more than challenging in that respect. I learned, experienced, met some incredible people, but don’t think I will be making a trip back to either location in the near future. The experience also had me dropping a couple of envisioned trips which would have involved huge cities and more polluted air and replace them with a couple of other alternatives that involved rivers and rails rather than roads.

I have ceased watching the news completely, the political situation in the US has become too painful to watch.  We are still in limbo with the house renovation. Five adults and two dogs in one house is more challenge than I had planned on at this point in my life.

So here I sit, on ship contemplating what I should be doing better next year and thinking about the personal apologies I owe. In spite of disavowing pledges, oaths and promises – this coming year is going to be different.