2021

Are you ready? What kind of year is it going to be for you?

Those that know me, know I am passionate about traveling and live music. Since leaving the Marine Corps, I don’t recall ever having a year without concerts, festivals, and/or road trips. For years, I have averaged 25k miles on my vehicles because there are too many sites to see, bands to listen to, and people to enjoy life with. If it weren’t for my volunteer work, 2020 certainly would have been a lot crueler to me than it was. I still can’t believe that my only departure from NY was a funeral in Connecticut.

I am not one for making resolutions, the only one I was ever able to stick to was to never make a resolution again. This year is no different, but I did do some thinking over the last year and realized that while I was enjoying life, I was taking a lot for granted. While I always knew how much better things are for those in the US, than other countries. I am privileged in so many more ways, on basic levels, that recognizing it was disheartening, to say the least.

This year, I am hoping to make life a little more enjoyable for others in any way that I can. I wanted to hit every festival I could think of, but I plan to attend fewer festivals, support more local music. Travel less in the country, and explore more in NY. Work on ways to improve my local surroundings while welcoming others to explore them. Syracuse needs more help and fewer excuses from everyone, to become the city it once was. Let’s stop blaming others and unite so that we can nourish growth! No more division, we can all agree to disagree on topics but think of the future and where arguing will get us. Nowhere! We have elected representatives for a reason, if you don’t like something speak to them. They have addresses, phones, emails, websites, and more for you to reach out to them and voice your concerns.

I hope that 2021 brings all of you a new appreciation for the life you have, the possessions you hold, and love for those who love you!