Sunday, December 31, 2017

My 2018 IBWAA Hall of Fame Vote


As We Say Goodbye to 2017 I Do So w/ a Bittersweet Temperament


Good afternoon, good morning or good evening depending on where you are reading this, and when. Either you're reading this in 2017 or you are one of the first to be reading it in 2018, either way I thank you for your continued support of not only myself personally but the blog as well. I am not going to lie, and I am not going to turn this into one of those cliche "eff 2017" posts either so don't worry, 2017 was a tough year. It had its ups, and when I say ups I mean the most awesome of ups, but it also had its downs just like any year.

2017 was a hard year for me but I don't want that to be mistaken as me looking for a pity party or as me complaining. To be 100% honest I would not change a thing in 2017 because I fear the butterfly effect and changing one thing could potentially take me away from the healthy and fulfilling life that I will be sharing with you all and have shared with you here in 2017.

As you may or may not have seen in my George Steinbrenner and the Ghosts of Yankees Past Part IV post I shared that last year I went through a separation. While many tell me I'm sorry I can only say that I am not. Sometimes two people are good people but just bad for each other and that was just definitely the case. I am much more secure in myself now and I am much more happier now that I have met, fallen in love with and moved in with my sweet, sweet and absolutely beautiful Kari. She was the first person I spoke to when 2017 struck at midnight, albeit on the phone only in a message as she FELL ASLEEP ON ME AND SLEPT RIGHT THROUGH IT. I'm not bitter, do I sound bitter? LOL, I'm really not but I felt like some comedic relief was needed here. I digress.

Throughout the year I had "life" thrown at me at every turn. I went through like four or five cars this year which was a constant struggle and a constant stress on me but that has finally calmed down and settled down, hopefully. Work sucks, work has gotten worse than it has ever been and work seemingly cares less and less as the work just piles on. "Do it or you know where the door is" kind of mentality, but you know what? I'm thankful I have a job, I am thankful my bills are paid and I am thankful that I have the means and ability to continue to speak to you all on a daily, or as often as possible kind of basis.

So yeah, in my personal life 2017 some would say "sucked." I am not one of those people though. Life happens. It was hard but Kari was there by my side, my kids are healthy and we have grown closer than we ever did, which is weird considering that I went from seeing them 365 days a year and 24 hours a day to just two weeks out of the month. I don't take the things for granted that I used to and I am so very appreciative and grateful for the things I have, and the things that Kari and I continue to build together. She saved me ladies and gentleman, she is my genuine hero.

The Yankees did well in 2017 as well which only helped getting just one win away from the World Series. While that was disappointing to some I just saw it as a learning experience and an experience that left room to grow. I loved it and I look forward to the 2018 calendar year and season.

I love you all and I thank you for your continued support, fandom, viewership, friendship and love. I appreciate each and every one of you individually and as a whole. Remember, if you think your 2017 sucked... you may be surprised if you sit down and think of all the blessings you had this year and add them up in one column while you put the "shit" in the other column. I know I was and that is why I have this newfound optimistic look out for 2018. Close the door on 2017, but make sure you at least learned something from it.

And I want to give a very special shout out to everyone on this blog, the writers and the readers. I can't do it alone. Without you this blog is just me whining and crying and suggesting crap all day long and that would get old reading just one man's opinion.

And of course a very special shout out to anyone I have given my heart to along the way. Kari Ann Burch (soon enough), Evan Burch, Hayden Burch, Jacob Taunton and Brianna Taunton. I love you all with all my heart and soul and you are the reason for me being the man that I am today. Stay well, stay safe and we will talk again in 2018 because rest assured, I still have a lot of fight left in me and I still have a whole lot more to say. Stay tuned and be well.

Daniel Burch