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Post details: Good riddance to 2007

12/31/07

02:15:42 am, by Rossputin

, 272 words, 91 views

Categories: Personal Notes •• ••

Good riddance to 2007

2007 was a year I could have done without.

Other than the joy of watching my daughter turn into a real little person with a real personality, 2007 didn't bring a lot of good to me or my friends.

In the last month, an acquaintance has died, a very close cousin of a friend was murdered, and another friend's grandmother died.

As if that weren't enough, I was diagnosed with a tumor on my small intestine and I'm having fairly major surgery on Friday. It appears that the tumor is the only problem...there's no current evidence of any spreading. Still, what a horrible way to end an already bad year...wondering if I have a medical problem that's going to kill me. (It appears that it won't, but I won't really know for sure until I've been through several years of monitoring.)

Financially, it was a rough year, and two close friends also had disastrous years in that area.

Besides watching Lili grow up, the other good thing for me in 2007 is that Kristen (my wife) is pregnant, and due within a month with our second child...this one a son.

I suppose, putting things in perspective, that seeing Lili grow up smart and happy and healthy, and watching my wife get close to delivering another one outweighs the trials and tribulations of 2007...even learning that I need surgery.

So, while 2007 wasn't a total disaster for me, it was still one of my worst years ever and I'll be all too glad to see it gone.

The only thing which might make 2008 worse than 2007 is if a Democrat wins the presidency in November...

Permalink 5 comments

Comments:

Comment from: Bob Piccard [Visitor]

I truly hope your surgery goes as well as these things can go and I hope your recovery is quick.

Here's what else I think: Barring a calamity, any Democrat is going to win in November. I hope that Democrat is Hillary because she is the one who will force the Jesus crowd to hold their noses and vote for Romney (you're far too worried about Huckabee).

Any other Democrat, the Jesus freaks will stay home rather than vote for a cultish Mormon, and when Romney loses, they'll claim proof of their clout. So energize the Evangelicals and when the Republicans lose, perhaps they'll tell the wackos, "You people are really no help and we're going to stop pandering to your superstitions."

Permalink 12/31/07 @ 02:32

Comment from: Rossputin [Member]

· http://www.rossputin.com

Bob,

Thanks for your thoughts.

First, I though I've been clear in my writings that I'm not afraid of Huckabee. I don't think there's any chance he gets the GOP nomination, but I'm certain a Democrat will win if he were to get it.

As far as the "Jesus freaks", I don't think it's totally obvious that they'd vote for Romney over someone else (other than Huckabee), even including Rudy.

First of all, they don't trust Romney because he's Mormon and because he's changed his position frequently.

Second, Rudy will almost certainly nominate judges whose rulings would be favorable to the religious voter since the current state of things leaves a lot of room for a return to federalism...which would also including overturning Roe.

Third, if polls show Rudy (or even McCain) as likely to beat Hillary and Romney likely to lose, that would be a big factor in how people vote.

Best,
Ross

Permalink 12/31/07 @ 07:38

Comment from: Bob Piccard [Visitor]

I didn't make myself clear. The Evangelicals will stay home rather than vote for Romney unless the Democrat is Hillary. (Their revulsion for her is so pronounced they'll vote for a Mormon, if that's the choice.) So because any Democrat is going to win, I want Hillary in order to demonstrate that Evangelical support is unimportant.

The subtlety of Rudy's promise about judges will be lost on the Evangelicals. But here's a prediction for you: Rudy's going to drop out pretty soon. That business of turning his plane around because he had "flu-like symptoms" and going to a hospital. You will recall that when he candied out of the Senate race against Hillary he laid it off on his health.

But, Jeeze, I'd like to see him nominated. I'll bet you a million damn dollars George Soros has TV ads ready to go that use those pictures of Rudy in drag. "Is this who you want as leader of the free world?" Talk about swift-boating. To say nothing of the reprobates who have been clients of Rudy's consulting firm.

Permalink 12/31/07 @ 08:19

Comment from: susan boyer [Visitor]

Ross, my prayers are with you re your surgery this week. I hope 2008 is better year for you. As for the election, as you know, I'm a conservative evangelical and I will support Romney. It is my guess that in the end most of my compatriots will not stay home and hand the presidency to Hillary or Obama. Despite our differences Mitt will appoint conservative SCOTUS justices and that is really important to many of us. I don't buy the fact that the Dems are destined to win. Both Hillary and Obama have hidden anti-votes( obvious ones) that don't show up in polling. People don't want to sound bigoted. Romney can win this race. My biggest fear, however, is an independent candidate like Bloomberg throwing the race to Hillary like Perot did to her old man. Anyway, we have a long way to go and much can happen yet. Again, best of luck to you Friday and through the coming year. Sue

Permalink 12/31/07 @ 11:33

Comment from: Sam Basso [Visitor]

· http://www.poochmaster.blogspot.com

Well, I am sorry to hear all this. 2007 was also the hardest year of my life, and it took a lot out of me. I look in the mirror and see a face that has aged and I try not to let it bother me... but it does.

The old clichés about hardship revealing what you are made of are really true. I learned a lot about myself. And the one about necessity is the mother of invention was also true in my life. I did things to adapt that I would have never thought of if I hadn't been under so much pressure. Maybe these concepts can be helpful to you through all of this.

On the good side, because of past experience, I knew to let the hardships motivate me, even through the depression and the grim days that still envelope my life. I am still in the thick of a very difficult set of circumstances. I have found my faith, and that has also helped me... faith in myself and my faith in God. Not everyone has religious faith, and I respect that, but it has helped me. And so has learning that I can face down some pretty hard times.

I hope this year is better for you.

Get well!

Permalink 01/05/08 @ 18:58

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