Four years. Man time flies when your having fun. So four years ago I was fired from this same hotel I work at now because I was not happy. That probably sounds strange, huh? This is a day I have forever vowed to never work again. I had to swap New Years Eve with the Dude so I could have it off.

I use this for my look back at the past year. Past installments include Year In Review 1999, Year In Review 2000, and Year In Review 2001. Per the usual for me this year has been more of the same.

Of course it was a strange year for the hotel. The events of the hotel being sold was something new. The whole auction and wondering if the place would still be there was interesting. New owners are always fun. All in all it’s been business as usual. Which isn’t a good thing.

As I said in the first (which still applies) one I owe lots of people thanks. Thanks for just being there. These thanks go to all of my family and friends. And I of course consider my friends family. So it’s a shout out to all of my peeps, be it friend or family.

Three years. So here it is, that day that has significance to probably just me. Seeing as it is my day that I have set aside to do my “year in review”. The first order of business would be to read the last two years worth. The Year In Review 1999 and The Year In Review 2000.

This year has been the same. Every year is just about the same for me. I have a well knit group of friends. Friends I wouldn’t trade for anything. And I am the same every year (besides that one summer I couldn’t listen to Billy Joel in my car, that is). The 1999 bit I wrote is a definite list of people I couldn’t do without. The 1999 bit I just can’t top. It really does sum it up.

This post is a departure from the last two years. The last two years were written and posted by 10:30pm. 10:30pm being the time the post I wrote when I had just got fired. This one had to be done in advance. As I stated last time, I’m going out for a beer at the Bop.

Two years. It doesn’t seem that long. Here is prerequisite links for everyone to go and check out before you read any further. First on this day two years ago I got fired because of this website. Read about it here. Then last year was the first year anniversary of that fateful day.

I decided I would use this day as a chance to thank all of my friends and family who have stuck through it with me even when I was at the bottom. Last year I did a big write up, this year I just don’t feel like it. You all know who you are. Thanks a bunch. Without you guys I don’t know where I would be sometimes.

First before I do anything I have to direct you into the murky depths of the archive and have you read the posts on November 28th 1998, especially the one called “I’m Not Happy.” But come back.

Now for as long as I do a website this day November twenty-eighth will be the day I do a sort of year in review. This day has of course been picked because of my wicked sense of humor. Then again there is the fact that this day holds personal significance to me. This is a year to the day that I was fired from the hotel. I wasn’t to overjoyed by the prospects of losing my job then, but now I find the humor in it. If you don’t know me, after a bout with a job as upper management I have come back to the hotel that fired me. It’s irony on the base level.

This period of a year, from November 28th 1998 to November 28th 1999 has been a very interesting one. It’s had many ups and downs. Instead of using this spot to rant or to maybe rub the fact that I’m back at the hotel that fired me and everything is going great there, I decided that I would use this space to give my humble thanks to a number of fine people who have giving me support and just general friendship in some times of trouble. So bare with me this could run for a while, seeing how I have a lot of people to thank.

First I wanted to thank my family, who bared with me through the six months of unemployment and then the three months of the Amerihost gig. Comments such as “get a job deadbeat” and many others from my brother the bricklayer acted as a much needed emotional support in a way only my brother could give. Also I thank my Dad and Grandma who helped out more times than I remember. I also thank my Dad for the advice he gave me regarding the Amerihost gig.

Next comes all of my friends who have gone beyond the call of duty. These people are the reason I have such a high expectation from some of the other “people” who claim friendship with me. I guess its not there fault. I have been spoiled. So here it goes.

The Isley’s have been my best and longest friends. We go back as far as high school. The wife I have known a little longer. These are among the best people I know. In a cold February I was given something to do when the littlest Isley came fighting into this world. Being there for the birth of little Elaine allowed me to pay one of the many debts I owe Troy and Bobbi. I thank them for being there for me during the whole unemployment phase. There has been many times (present included) when these guys would call me up and want to go to the movies or dinner and I had to tell them sorry I have no money. They would end up dragging my ass with them anyway. Having been through thick and thin with them I always endeavor to learn from their example. These are the kind of people that to me are the archetype of what I consider friends.

Of course after mentioning the Isley’s I have to mention the Smith’s. Bob and Nancy are the kindest, most generous landlords a guy like me could have. I don’t think I can thank them enough for putting up with me during the unemployment time. They are sometimes (in my mind) to nice to me. But when you add the Isley’s with the Smith’s you get the second family I am proud to be a member of.

Also some people I am proud to call friends are the Stanley’s. They have been wonderful friends for a long time also. The Stanley’s consist of Tom, Carla, and Jonathan. Without them I might have gone mad during the unemployment thing. Tom has worked at the hotel longer than he probably would like to remember. Tom is another one of those that I consider being the top of the barrel in what I call friendship. He is a very nice guy. He is quiet and soft spoken and has never done anyone any harm. But don’t let that fool you. Mr. Stanley has a very wicked sense of humor. You have got to be on your toes around this very smart guy. Which brings me to Jonathan, I have often expressed my concerns about this young man considering me the greatest thing since sliced bread. One of the highlights of that nasty time during the unemployment I got to go to Jonathan’s school for special person day. It was one of those experiences that I won’t soon forget. But I have serious reservations about being one of his role models. Again these guys are some of my best friends.

Another guy who has been a good friend is Kevin Rindfleisch. I have known this guy for a long time. He’s another one that I have been through some shit with. Kevin was my mentor at the hotel before he left for bigger and better things. I learned everything I know from this guy. There was even a time when Kevin was considered a bad influence on me. How I miss those times. He was another friend that kept me busy during my unemployment. He also has an uncanny ability to get a laugh out of you at any time.

One person who did show up Kevin during the unemployment is a guy named Jeff Ross. Now when Me and Kevin would hit the bars for drinks, Mr. Ross has more than once showed up at my door with a twelve pack. Me and Ross had a tough time in the beginning, but he is one of those I am proud to call a friend. I also have to mention his lovely wife Cheryl really quick. Wonderful lady. I really mean that. I had tremendous fun at their wedding and the morning after in which I had a killer hangover.

Well I’m getting to the end of this bit, I only have to mention a few more people. I won’t use lots of space, which is no offense to them. The following order has no significance.

Dave, Gilbert, Larry C, and Larry W. are the guys that work the third shift with me as security. They are all nice guys. I have to thank Larry W. for helping me get my part time job.

Paula, Liz, and John who are all some of the fine people I work with at the hotel.

My good friend Dan and his wife Kim who I haven’t seen much seeing they live in Arizona but are good friends.

Also I have to thank Chris Saddler (another of my old friends) who signed the guestbook with his take on the movie Saving Private Ryan. Reading this still brings painful chuckles to me.

Thanks to the Johnson’s, who are Mark, Laura, and the kids. These guys have been good friends before and after the firing.

A big thanks to Iggy who every once in a while writes something really damn funny for this site. Iggy if you haven’t guessed is an aka for someone at the hotel.

I have to say hi to Jami who is my counterpart on the audit and who is gracious enough to let me have weekends off.

I also have to say hi to Jen, who I have been e-mailing for a couple of months now. She allowed me to have something to look forward to when I was down in the hell that is Metropolis, Il.

Lastly I have to give thanks to Shawn Kennedy for firing me and then graciously hiring me back eight months later.

Well I think that just about does it. I also want to thank anyone who has viewed this webpage. I don’t care if you got here on accident I thank you for giving me another hit. I also want to thank everyone who has taken the time to sign the guestbook. Now if I have forgot any one please except my apology.