First and most importantly: Happy holidays to all, with my best wishes. For many, this celebratory season brings feelings of hope, love, and happiness. For others, it is a time that's difficult to work through. For those who do not observe the holidays, take from these festivities a reminder that it's our job to make the world a little better for everyone.
Just over a year ago, my family and I were living and working in Austin, Texas, trying to figure out how to stay cool in 110-degree heat. A few days ago, I celebrated my one-year anniversary as a Tripod/Lycos employee. It's hard to believe that it has been a year since I first sat at my desk here at 160 Water Street. The year has been a busy one, with job-title and responsibility changes, office-space moves (I miss looking out over the graveyard), travel, new people joining the Tripod family (via employment and birth), and others moving on to new adventures.
Since we decided to come back home to New England, we've been constantly reminded of all the things we love about the area. I now walk to work through the center of town (yes, even in the rain and cold), and I wonder how people deal with the traffic on Route 128. Occasionally, people in the neighborhood will stop and give me a ride to work.
Because this is such a rural area, we have done our share to support all of the e-commerce-enabled sites this year. Online shopping has done wonders to limit the number of miles put on the car. It's still hard adjusting to not being able to get to and from Home Depot within 30 minutes. But overall, the plusses in life truly outweigh the negatives. We have quickly adjusted to this wonderful way of life. We're thankful for the warm welcome we have received and look forward to many more exciting and fulfilling years here in Williamstown.
As I go off into the cold air of the Berkshires, returning to my warm home, I want to thank the people who bring help, hope, caring, and protection to those less fortunate: the Armed Forces, clergy, volunteers, mothers, fathers, our older generations, and all the others that space does not permit me to mention.
I wish you all the best for the holidays and the new year. I leave you with this one thought:
If you do one thing to bring a smile to someone's face this holiday, you'll be making the world a better place. For that, I thank you.
One more thing: I still wish I had won the Star Wars game at the holiday party.
Sean
