Greetings,
Well, it’s that time of year again to travel near and far, give
and receive thoughtfully planned & anticipated gifts, eat too much, watch
Elf, take pause on what the year has wrought, possibly write it down and bother
everyone you know with having to read it.
This year we’ve traveled from Lewes to Mutley Farm outside
Bridgnorth, Shropshire where the ground is saturated, the roads flooded, the
smell of cows and their activities as close as they've ever been outdoors, the wifi nonexistent, 3G only available
close to my corner of the bed(relief), the board games in ready supply and the
isolation, beauty of the barren oak trees and rolling countryside terrific. Our thoughts as always, go out to
everyone we love but could not be near and hope that you ate half as good as
I’ve done in the last week-in which case you’ve made out alright.
I’m feeling marginally less like a stranger in a strange
land these days, as much as that is possible for me, but still manage to marvel at every picturesque small town, stately
home, barn conversion and Marian would add solar panel installation we pass along the endlessly winding, incredibly narrow hedged roads ripe for exploration. All serving as daily reminder of how far from home I am. In the workplace, I’ve managed a promotion now with a fancy title and continue to enjoy the
work, people and places along the way. Otherwise, following the fascinating, to me, conversation
regarding the nature of money and the political, economic system. Apparently, we're called monetary policy obsessives, which is accurate, except unlike the ends which supplied the crash of 2008 we're conscious of the need for public goods and sustainable growth. Finally, when the spirit or sanity moves me writing
and wondering over paintings to hang in the study or around the house when
clearance is provided.
Marian has had a great run now working on her fourth audiobook and is hot on the trail of a campervan for weekend excursions to some
fossil hunting site or day trips to a beautiful spot to do some editing. And a food processor for all the resulting wonderful food and perfection.
William, now 8, is progressing well in his studies and
acting as every 8 year old is expected with hilarity and increasing
independence. He was fortunate to
spend his birthday at one of his favorite places, the British Museum, escorting
around and communicating his knowledge to some of his favorite people, his
grandparents, all in attendance for the big day. Otherwise, he spends his time developing plans for his club,
no name that I can think of, tediously drawing up their road trips around the
world, modes of transportation and places to see. Christmas came early this year when Marian’s Uncle, Brian,
left us with his metal detector, previously top of the list from Santa, so watch
ought lost Lewes horde we’re coming for you.
In addition to this letter I've also taken to end of the year to formulating some conclusive end of year thoughts-what the year has brought us: themes and people. No surprise money and debt continue to enter into the lexicon in new linguistic forms with catchy phrases like "Fiscal Cliff" and "Euro Crisis". From my glimpses around the world to destinations I know well another tie that binds is "Whether Weather" with increasing drought conditions(Australia and Chicago) and severe flooding(North & Western England) weather will no doubt continue to reshape how we live and hopefully adjust our behaviour. Finally, failing Time Magazine & Nobel committees failure to affectively highlight people for the year I'm nominating Bill & Melinda Gates and their foundation work-Nobel Peace Prizes will come soon to these NGO's who do what governments cannot. As for Time, when you juxtapose a decade of boots on the ground occupation style, quagmire warfare with the obviously debatable but still effective activity of drone planes. This was no doubt the year of the drone. The real debate hasn't come and who knows when it will but drones are here and proving to be an incredibly transformative technology.
Alright enough of that. All that is left is for us is to send our love and best wishes for a
healthy and enjoyable 2013 and a blanket this will definitely not be the year
for any Chicago sports teams.
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