Greetings one and all!

Wow! Two Thousand and Seven? Where did the time go?

I trust you had wonderful holidays! We certainly did.
It has been quite a while since I last penned my fascinating and somewhat silly Newsletter. But this is good news, because it means I have been very busy with a variety of freelance writing assignments.

I have to say it feels pretty good living the life of a freelance writer, photographer and grandfather (yikes!). Our newest family member recently celebrated her first birthday and the little gal has kept us all very busy.

As you might imagine, things were pretty crazy around our household last year, comprised of new mom and baby, new grandparents and a five-year-old and a teen-age boy, all living under one roof. Crazy! (But an endless source of material.)

There have been many times when I have had the urge to fire off a silly little newsletter just to let you know I am still alive and well. But I didn't want to be a bother. After all, are we not besieged enough by unsolicited emails and forwarded nonsense? I figure I should have something to say before I add to the drivel.

So, here's my drivel:

Unbelievably, my first full year as a freelance writer/photographer, journalist and novelist has drawn to a close and I am grateful for the kind words and positive energy sent my way from all of you who are following my illustrious literary career.

My writing has taken me many places, from exploring Cape Florida in Miami to biking down the trails of San Felasco Hammock, to paddling down the Santa Fe River to Gator tailgating in Gainesville. Horse trainers, dog whisperers, authors and artists, cave divers and volunteer firefighters, young and old, all have their stories to tell, and I have been fortunate enough to get tell some of them.

Along the way I have also learned many valuable lessons,
such as: never run through pouring rain or jump over giant mud puddles while carrying a portable cassette recorder in your breast pocket, for as I jumped my recorder leapt from my pocket. I watched in horror as it took a bounce on the hard, wet sidewalk. When it hit, naturally the cassette sprang out. Player and tape both proceeded to bounce over the curb directly into a deep puddle.

My interviews!

Now I know to always take hand-written notes regardless of other technology.

I also learned how to dissect my waterlogged cassette recorder and use a hairdryer to dry it out. For weeks it ran at double-speed so I learned how to transcribe interviews that sounded like chipmunks.

I learned it is best to take photos at the beginning of an interview in case I run out of time… or should my subject become ill.

I have learned (relearned) that the incredible power of positive thinking can bring incredible results. Positive thinking is energizing. Invigorating. Infectious. I should use it more.

And I have learned to be thankful for all that I have.

Recently I realized that it had been six months since I had worked on the sequel to my novel "Endless". Wow! That came as a big surprise. I got back on it right away and a plethora of grand new ideas sprang forth.

For those of you eagerly awaiting my next novel, you may rest assured that it will be completed this year. In the meantime feel free to re-read the first one! I know I will have to.

And on that note, I must get back to my assignments.

Be sure to write back and keep on reading!

Sincerely,

Albert