2023 in review

Last day of the year. Time to reflect on what was good and bad.

Highlights:

• Marlene. We made it through an entire calendar year, which made this relationship considerably more durable than the preceding one with Ooma. It wasn’t all sweetness and light, but it was a lot of fun and a lot of adventure. She is an amazing woman who improves my life.
• TCL2. This was a terrific 12-night transatlantic cruise – the best cruise experience of my life so far. And after the cruise ended I met my new favorite city, Barcelona.
• TS9. The trip south with Marlene, featuring New York and the Statue of Liberty, was a great time.
• TP1. The 30-night transpacific cruise with Marlene was epic. I got to Japan and Indonesia – two places I never expected to visit. And Brisbane was a treat. But we lost the opportunity to see both Alaska and the Philippines due to bad weather.
• TN9. The ninth trip north – just an auto trip – was my first solo long-distance trip. It was memorable primarily because I got to see family both along the way and in Massachusetts. The travel in New England after Marlene joined me – to Boston, Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island – was fun too. I also enjoyed the visit from my son in August.
• Music. Thanks largely to Marlene’s love of music and dancing I heard a lot of really good rock and country bands this year. And some not-so-great ones too.
• Carnival Vista cruise. The 6-night cruise to Grand Turk, Nassau Bahamas and Amber Cove was nice but we didn’t like the ship very much.

Lowlights:

• Ooma. I can’t, in a single paragraph, express the depth of my disappointment and anger with Ooma. The outrageous application for a restraining order from her in March was the worst moment I have had with any woman that I have ever dated. The lies and vile she spewed in that document were both stunning and despicable. She instantly went from a woman I loved to a woman I hated. Quite a transformation. I believe she is mentally disturbed. I guess I should feel fortunate that the relationship was brief.
• Rusty’s death. My buddy and companion – Jett’s dog initially but mine after her passing – had to be put down in June.

I think, overall, 2023 was better than 2022. Lots of cruising. Lots of music. Not a bad year at all.