one last post . . .

Well, here it is, the last post of 2007. I know that its been about six weeks if not more, since I've last written anything, but (as usual) its been a busy time what with myriad plans, applications and moves underway . . . anyhow, I'm back in Brownsville, TX with my family for the holidays and after that it'll be off to a coast. While the initial plan had a "beta" version of the site up by now, as was to be expected, things have not worked out as predicted and my vision is still waiting on a number of hours of work before anything resembling a "launch" comes to fruition. And yet, if I have learned anything this year, it is that a better understanding and more sensible choices in regards to how we interact with our planet, particularly our coasts and oceans, is of the utmost importance.

On the drive down here from Charlottesville I couldn't resist a moments detour to Dauphin Island. The place seems beautiful until you realize that its only a matter of time (or a decent sized storm) before the homes on the western half of the island fall into the ocean. It is a truly remarkable example of ignoring the natural dynamics and cruel realities of how this environment behaves. So whether its a Gulf coast barrier island, a resort area in Mexico, or a conference in Portland, Oregon, the common theme that bound them all together is that I, and the collective we, have a ton of work to do if anything resembling a sustainable world is going to be achieved in anyones lifetime.

. . . While I'm sure there are much more eloquent end of the year reviews being posted on the blogosphere, I'm afraid I don't have the time at the moment to attempt one of my own. However, I'd like in my own little way, to thank those individuals that have helped me throughout the year, and that will support me further in the year to come . . . and I'll end with a little quote I just found which kind of sums up how I'm looking at the year ahead . . .

"Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool or you go out in the ocean."

- Christopher Reeve

Happy New Year everybody!