bkwill

For those of you who know me, I predicted on January 1st that 2008 will be an expansion year. I see it as a year of change in politics, community and life, professional and personal growth, spiritual and scientific learning.

I once wrote a poem (sorta) that was the opening of a solo performance piece that I wrote while in college. Here's a small portion:

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Somewhere on the corner of hope and freedom you can find a dream, other times you can catch the truth. But as the sun sets west across the river, and the night wind blows clear, you can always hear some change.

Change is the easy part, what you do with change now that's the trick. You can hold onto it and hope that something good comes from it. Or you can throw it all away messing around doing something dirty. Either way, change will come and change will go.

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I like writing about change, because I often never talk about it. I let it just happen and not dwell to much on the meaning. But I am sharing this because often at times I am taken back by the swiftness of change and the ensuing consequences and opportunities that follow.

Reflecting the first six months of this year, I decided to make a checklist of highlights and adventures that change has brought into my life (in chronological order):

1.) New Year's Day Minute One - Spinning records in the mountains.
2.) Leaving My Job At McGraw-Hill - To begin working for myself.
3.) Learning How To Snowboard - Thanks to Bob Basil.
4.) Spinning Records On The Main Stage @ 42 Degrees - Biggest performance yet (1,000+).
5.) Touring The West Coast - LA, SD, SF, Sacramento, Spokane - Made it as far as the western Rockies.
6.) Re-launching The Soulatomic Radio Show On Radio Johnson - Thursdays 11am - 2pm, check it out.
7.) 2008 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Both Weekends - Stevie Wonder rocked the fairgrounds.
8.) Spinning A Reception At The NY Botanical Garden - A beautiful experience with my favorite people.
9.) 2008 Telluride Jazz Celebration 12 Days - Personally interview Dr. John and Cyril Neville.
10.) First Mets Game Of The Year @ Shay Stadium - Maybe my last game a Shey Stadium
11.) Spinning Records Thursday Night @ Iona - Starting a weekly party again.
12.) Saying Good Bye To Brooklyn - A nearly 10 year love affair with the coolest place I've ever lived.
13.) Moving To The Catskill Mountains - A new love affair with nature waiting to begin.
14.) Starting My New Job @ South Mountain - I have a dope job.
15.) 4th Of July On Cape Cod - Going home to family is great, that and fishing on the ocean.
16.) TBD

Coming up still this year:
1.) Blues & Brews Festival Telluride, CO
2.) Emily's Wedding On Cape Cod
3.) 33rd Birthday

I am only now getting a chance to catch up and take a step back to realize how far I've come this year, what I have experienced, the lessons I've learned, the mistake I've made, and start to contemplate the future.

I know that I wouldn't be here today with out the support of friends and family. I rely on them more than I'd like to admit. I'm indebted to them and grateful more than I let them know. I think they know.

Picture Update - Seriously, it's been so long and I've promised forever to get photos up. So check out my albums and have a look for yourself.