What is, was, and has yet to be...

The New Year was ushered in while I was soundly asleep at the Hilton University Place in Charlotte, NC. In reality, New Years never meant that much to me. Everyone seems to think it's this great time of renewal, a time to set goals for yourself, and a time to think about how you could be a better person. Shouldn't that be all the time? And I'm sick of New Year's resolutions. Let's face it: The lower you set your goals, the less dissappointed you'll be when you don't achieve them.

I'm just kidding...

2005 was not a remarkable year in my life. I did add a nephew, which was awesome, but aside from that, nothing of great importance occured. John Henry (the new nephew) was by far the high point of the year, as his arrival marks the second nephew I will have the oppurtunity to mold in my image. The low point of the year occured on October 19th, at Busch Stadium. When Yadier Molina flied out to center field he ended the hopes of Cardinal Nation for a repeat World Series appearance. It was a bitter sweet moment, as I can now say I was at the last game ever played at the "old" Busch Stadium.

2005 was also the first full year I have spent as an airline pilot. Due entirely to the fact that I did not flight instruct at all or spend much time in small airplanes, it is the first year I don't need both hands to count the number of times I nearly died in an airplane over the course of the previous 12 months.

So what for 2006? I have set but one professional goal for myself: To get hired at Continental Airlines. I wish to find my aviation home for the rest of my career, and Continental is not only hiring pilots, but they appear to be on the verge of a very successful next couple of years. Please don't misunderstand: I'm not trying to leave Eagle because I don't like it there. Very much the contrary in fact. However, I want to fly bigger airplanes, longer distances, and make more money. As for personal goals, well, those are personal.