Butter me, I’m on a roll.  I took a quick look back at the year that was and realized just how blessed I really am.  It was a surreal 2010, one that I doubt can be topped anytime soon.

There were unforgettable experiences.  (In March, I rang in my 40^th BDay with a trip to Palm Springs to see The B-52’s in concert.  If you know me, you know I’ve loved them since birth.  One of my friends got me backstage passes as a BDay present.  Imagine my surprise when Fred & Kate invited ME to another BDay party after the meet-and-greet.  The best night of my life.)

There were unexpected hurdles.  (My B-52 afterglow was short-lived.  I inexplicably keeled over from a stroke on May 22.   By the grace of God, I was bounced out of the hospital 36 hours later and on the road to recovery.  I started living my life a little different after that.)

There were amazing adventures.  (Post-stroke, I refused to say no to anything.  Skydiving?  Check.  Visiting a dude ranch in Austin?  Check.  Eating my way through Philly?  Check.  Weekend getaway trip to Berlin?  Done and done.  I’ve done more living in the last six months than I’ve done in six years.)

There were goals achieved.  (I did some of my best writing in 2010.  From my job at the ad agency to my freelance blogging, I really honed my craft.  And had fun doing it.  Picked up two more Emmy awards along the way too.  Bonus!)

And the best part? I had an amazing array of friends to share my adventures.  The good, the bad and the I-Can’t-Believe-This-Is-Happening-Am-I-The-Luckiest-Boy-In-The-World-Or-What?

From reconnecting with dear old friends (shout out, Lynn Pickard) to hitting it off with some phenomenal new folks (Es freuit mich, Herr Hinze), I was firing on all cylinders.  And I just want to give a shout out to all of you.  Each of you helped make last year the best year of my life personally and professionally.  From me to you … thank you.  And here’s to a awe-inspiring 2011.