A return to normalcy, revised

It's been almost a year since I wrote anything in this forum. I'd like to say it was due to my busy, "too cool for this" new California lifestyle. But that's just not true. I guess I was embarrassed by some of the content in the last posts I'd made. I really laid myself out there; the insecurities of facing huge new challenges, the risks I was taking with the best group of friends I could ask for. And part of me didn't want to have to revisit those thoughts now. I never wanted to go back and delete them either, because that's just not me. I like to think of myself as someone genuine and transparent, for better or worse. Accept me or don't.

I think I'm finally settled enough here to see some of the results of these insecurities, and they've worked out okay. And for that, maybe I'm back.

Clearly this has been a move that we're happy about. It's tough meeting new people and we miss our friends, but we have each other a small social group and a ton of fun things to do.

In the last year, Ryan and Patricia have been expecting, Justin and Liz got engaged, the Skins made the playoffs, the Caps became a national phenomenon, I started playing ice hockey, and a bunch of other things have started to happen.

We're healthier than ever.

We're having more fun than ever.

I've had the reassurance that I chose that right profession and feel very competent already.

Christine has hit her stride professionally.

And just a bunch more.

I'm really excited to go back East and catch up with friends and family. Two weeks is going to fly by so quickly but it's time to reconnect. I've been very impressed with the ability to stay in close communication with the guys in the last year, but we need some good old fashioned fun.

I'll post more, with better content, soon. I have boards to study for and if it's 87 degrees out in the sun, the shade right now should be just about perfect.