2015, you kinda sucked.

2015.  Let's be honest, you kinda sucked.

 In the first week, we had Uncle Harold's funeral.  That was closely followed by Aunt Win's, and Cousin Tom.  Wasn't a stellar start by anyone's standard.   Then, it was sad to say goodbye to one of our karaoke pals, Karen. Lastly, but effecting me most, my father's months of hospitalization and eventual passing.
  I'm writing this, to try and remind myself it wasn't all bad.  So much of it hurt, and still does.  I found myself changing.  My default went from a happy guy with sad moments; to a sad guy with happy moments.  Don't really like that.  Just have to keep reminding myself, that I'm surrounded by my wife, family and the most amazing circle of friends I could ask for.
   I recently heard Rick Springfield say that nothing is all good or all bad. It's both.  Sounds simplistic enough, but I'd never heard that before.

   So, here is me focusing on some of the cool things about 2015.

 - Leona's sister, twice & Jack Russell three times!
 - My wife and friends threw a fun 50th birthday for me where I actually played my harmonica while Carla sang!
- Surprise birthday party in a hotel outside of Chicago with Jack & Heather Russell, Robby Lochner, Tony Montana, Dicki Fliszar and Chris Tristram and a dozen or so of the rocking-est friends from the Pirates Page!
 - Vegas vacation with my wife and her family, and seeing my cousin Tina for the first time in over 25 years!
 - M3 Festival with 'road warriors' Marysia, Dave & Kim!
 - Family Fireworks!
 - Weird Al concert, complete with backstage meet & greet & photos. Loved buying Jim & Steve's music directly from them!
 - Other truly awesome and entertaining music concerts like...Beth Hart, Rick Springfield, Van Halen, Killer Dwarfs & Headstones!
 - Little Piece of Heaven Weekend with some of the best people I know!
 - I'm going to add my nephew Jeremy & my 'oddson' Nicholas to this list, as watching them grow into amazing kids is incredibly uplifting. Their parents are an inspiration!


  Of course I don't really know what 2016 will bring.  No ones does.  I guess I'm just hoping for less illness and death.  I'll take care of the positiveness.  I've got another M3 festival on tap, and I've got to help plan my mother-in-laws 90th birthday and my 10th wedding anniversary. That's positive.   ... and drop the mic right here...