As is customary with this oft-ignored blog, it is time to reflect back on the year that was, a year in the life of the one and only, ME!!!

As with the majority of the years of my life, I approved of the events of 2008. Well my goal of complete retirement is no closer to fruition, I did only work 39 weeks this year, a benchmark I would like to maintain for years to come. Here is a look back on the highlights.

January 1-
I'm glad the first day of the year was not indicative of the year to come. Because in a word, it was terrible. We started a new work thing where we worked public holidays in exchange for another day of my choice off later in the year. I was very hungover. The end.

February 2-10
Boracay in a word. Stunning. In two words. Stunningly beautiful. I was there. Not sure I'd go back. Not sure what I have against the island. Gorgeous beaches, cheap drinks, laws enacted against being bother by peddlers on the beach, very fun friends. Weather was perfect. Was it a case of some place being too perfect? Why didn't I enjoy Boracay?

May 3-19
Oh, I love Europe. The Cretonator joined for my third visit to the continent. England and Greece were on the agenda. London reinforced my love for shopping and for British people. Greece reinforced my love for food. Oh tzatsiki! How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I did learn that Greek ribs are a Saskatchewan thing. No Greek ribs in Greece.

June 13-15
No sleep on a very crowded overnight bus. Rain all weekend. North Korea. I was there. Stern faced men with big guns everywhere. Man knocked my camera into the water. So no proof I was there. You just have to take my word for it.

August 23- September 6
My best trip of the year. I may have set the record for most flights taken in a two week span. First, Thailand again. I LOVE Thailand. First, the beaches of Phuket. Then a few days in the northern area of Chang Mai, where I spent a day out and about with the long necks. Next, a night of debacherous partying in Bangkok. The gay area there is insane. Hooked up with a flight attendant. Score!
Saturday, it was off to meet my littlest friend in Malaysia. I found her peeking over the huddled crowds in Kuala Lumpur airport. Then it was off to Borneo, to Tiga Pilau, to be more exact. This was the site of the very first Survivor. Not much remained from the show except for the resort where the the crew from the show stayed. I loved everything about this place and highly recommend it.
Later in the week, we were back in Kuala Lumpur but only so we could jet off to Cambodia, to Siem Reap. For two full days we scaled the Ruins of the Angkor Wat. We hired a motorcycle and driver. 40 dollars for 2 days of his services. When necessary he also acted as our guide. Now Boracay had rules regarding peddlers selling you things. This place did not. Mega did not. The roars of "Please sir, only one dolla. One dolla! Please sir" were a constant. But bearable. Everybody should see this amazing place at least once in their life.
For the weekend we found ourselves back in Kuala Lumpur. We shopped at the formerly record height setting Petronas Towers. And ate Lebonese food. So frickin' good.

October
I was in ridiculous, and I mean it in a negative way, Saskatchewan. The only reason it is worthy of mention is to set up the background for one of my favorite moments of 2008. A new casino was recently constructed just outside Saskatoon on a Indian reservation. The place is named Dakota Dunes. The casino complex is very nice. Fittingly it looks like a giant tipi. My parents came out for buffet dinner. Not realizing each night had a theme, that night we happened to stumble upon "Game Night". And by game I don't mean Uno and Monopoly, I mean deer, ox, and all the rest of the gang. While not gross, the meal didn't make my list of Top 100.
After eating, I was off to play Blackjack. I sat down at what I thought was a Blackjack Table. I was at a Bonus Texas Hold'em Table. I had never seen the game. The dealer asked if I wanted to learn how to play. "I guess" was my reply. Little did I know it was my best decision all year. Because of that decision I am typing this blog entry from a brand new iMac 24 inch screen. How did this happen? Let's find out!

October 30- November 5
The Robinson family is doing Vegas. We had shopped and dined and rollercoastered and drank margaritas into the millions. But on day number 5 of my trip I had yet to see dollar signs. Then Clyde came along, or perhaps his name was Clive. Now you may be thinking, as if his name was Clive? I know I was. I was drunk so memories of the combined day 5 and 6 are hazy, but at some point Clive/Clyde came along. Now Clive/Clyde was a winner. A winner of the SuperBowl. He had a giant ring to prove it. We saddled up to the Bonus Hold'em Table together. Now, no word of a lie, I didn't lose a hand for probably 30 minutes. Soon my pockets and spot at the table were overflowing with chips. High fives were flying between myself, Clyde and the dealer. The minimum bet was 5 dollars, but really to have any sort of chance of seeing any money you had to have 15 dollars down. I decided the time was right for a 100 dollar bet. The cards were dealt. I looked. My inner voice screamed, "Cunt! Whore! Bitch! Fuck!" I had a 2-4 off suit. Now when playing this game you have to double your original bet to see the flop of the cards. Otherwise you can fold and lose the initial ante bet. With Lady Luck and Clive by my side, I decided to put the 200 dollars required down. The flop came 2-2-4 giving me a full house. With two more 100 dollar bets I had made 500 dollars on that one hand alone. When my night ended I had over 1600 American dollars to show for it. Enough for a fantastic new computer.

December 9
One of the saddest days of my life. The Little friend decided the time was right to move onto greener pastures. My 2006, 2007, and 2008 years would not have been nearly as fun had she not entered my life.

So, there it is. The year that was. Of course, some highlights were omitted. The Mud Festival, Pride in Seoul, and just random Noraebang nights also contributed to the joy that was 2008. As for 2009, plans are a uncharted, unkown. I really wouldn't want it any other way!