Ought-8 In Review

2008 was an up-and-down year for me, plenty of good and not-so-good. Staci & I settled into married life in Quakertown, and grew to really like the area. It was another tough financial year, as I worked as a low-paid intern again (while driving 130 miles a day), and Staci got closer to completing her doctorate. Some of the highlights:

Jan. 14: I started my 2nd year in baseball, this time as Asst. Director of merchandise with the Wilmington Blue Rocks.

Feb. 13: My first niece, Alannah Rose, was born to sister Colleen.

Mar. 31: We attended our first stadium opening, as Nationals Park in DC opened.

Jul. 31: Manny Ramirez is traded to the Dodgers, one of the best days of my Dodger fan-dom.

Sept. 2: Staci & I celebrate 1 year of marriage.

Sept. 5: My first playoff game in the minors. My current team, the Blue Rocks, gets beaten by my old team, the P-Nats, 1-0.

Oct. 9: We go to my first Dodgers playoff game, against the Phillies. They, of course, lose.

Nov. 4: In one of the most historic days in my lifetime, Barack Obama was elected President of the United States. After the last 8 years, most of us were still pessimistic for good news. And yet at 11PM on this night, we got what we all need- hope. Hopefully, this time next year I will be writing about the forward progress of the country.

I also added 4 new stadiums (DC, Toronto, KC, and St Louis), as I inch closer to my goal. We're looking forward to a fun-filled and exciting 2009, despite not knowing where we will be living, or what jobs we'll have. Happy New year everyone!