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Holiday Letter 1997

February 2, 1998

Dear Friends and Family,

Happy Holidays (a bit late, sorry)! This is my first ‘holiday letter’ and I’ve been a bit intimidated about writing it.

What a year 1997 was: I read some amazingly good books, listened to some wonderful music, drank some incredible beers, wines, tequilas, and rums, smoked a great cigar or two, saw many a gorgeous sunrise and sunset, and spent time with the best people on earth. I laughed a whole lot, cried a little, talked through several nights, had my world rocked a couple of times, walked on many beaches, swam in many waters, and managed to stay in a near constant state of wonder and amazement.

January was spent buying a four bedroom rental house. January also saw the passing of my uncle, Ted Bloodworth, here in Tucson. Ted was also a Kappa Sigma brother.

I went diving in Key West, Florida for a week in March. In May I spent a weekend at Lake Havasu with the Cholla Bay Blues Club (more than 20 very close college friends that now get together at least once a year).

Flying last year included trips to Sedona several times, some aerobatics here and there, getting certified to fly ultralight airplanes, beginning work on my instrument rating, and I just started working on a sailplane rating.

In July, I spent two weeks in Costa Rica, much of it playing and diving with good friend Christina Stewart, her daughter Danielle, and her son Nicholas. I did many weekend trips to San Carlos from May ‘til October; nearly all with good friends and fraternity brothers. Yes, after a one year break in 1996, I’m back teaching scuba.

Right after Costa Rica I went to New Orleans for a week long Kappa Sigma convention. I stepped down as national Alcohol and Drug Education Commissioner, and stepped down as Alumnus Advisor for my chapter here at the U of A. I continue as an assistant advisor here, President of our Educational Foundation, and have stepped up to national Director of Chapter Advancement, the national crisis squad for struggling chapters.

In August I moved out of Kappa Sig, bought a condo and moved into it with Mark Rooney and Aaron Young, both good friends and Kappa Sig brothers. I loved the seven years I spent living in the fraternity, but I am absolutely glad to have moved on. My roommates are great - come visit anytime.

In September, Matt Whaley, a close friend and fraternity brother, took his own life. He was 21 and a student at the U of A. It would take another several pages to relate my feelings, but I will summarize by saying that I miss him very much, my friendship with Matt’s parents has grown deeper, and I am ever more grateful for the time I spend with all of you that share a part of my life. I also regret to report that my aunt, Dorothy Nicholas, passed away in October. I loved her very much, will miss her dearly, and my thoughts and prayers are with my Uncle Bill, the entire Kestenbaum family, and all who knew and loved Dot.

I went on a six day 4-wheel drive adventure in Baja California later in October and had a truly incredible time! It was with CBBC’ers Jim Eagan, Trey Steinbeck, Matt Carroll, and Phil Harris.

I spent Thanksgiving in Sedona with Mom, Dad, brother John, sister-in-law Colleen, and my new niece, Caroline Elizabeth, who was born in June. She’s the apple of my eye and appears to adore her uncle. For those of you with children I salute you. Two good friends that are proud papas, Vince Ross and Glen Mandigo, both recently claimed to live vicariously through me. While I’m flattered, I’m certain now that children are a much greater adventure than any of my crazy wanderings. Don’t any of you worry, I’ll be a daddy one day.

Mark, Aaron, and I threw a major party at the condo in early December: formal dress, a bottle of wine or a dessert to get in, and a requirement that all guests contribute some graffiti to the downstairs bathroom (worth a trip just to see it...). The Jenson family was then together again for Christmas, this time at John and Colleen’s in Scottsdale. It was my first Christmas away from Sedona since we moved there in 1971. We spent Christmas day with Colleen’s family in Phoenix, perfectly capping off a wonderful holiday.

In case you’re wondering if I ever work; FMG has been busier than ever. As far as my partner knows, I even work a lot of late nights and weekends to make up for my occasional vacation. Matt (Noble, my partner) and I now have about 25 employees, sales neared $250k in 1997, and we’re working with over 22 groups across the country. Business travel took me to 19 major cities in 10 different states. 1998 will probably bring more travel, a new building (we’ve outgrown my house on First Street near the U of A), more full time employees, and hopefully a living wage for the two of us :). Best of all, though, it continues to be really fun. As soon as it’s not, expect a career change.

Recent big news! I spent 11 days over New Year’s in the Dominican Republic (DR) with Mark Rooney (roommate), Tom Rooney (Kappa Sig, not related to Mark), and Josh Byers (good friend of Tom’s from Portland). The trip was organized by Orphanage Outreach, a charity started three years ago by a Phoenix man. We four, and half a dozen other gringos, spent a week at an orphanage near the Haitian border. I designed and helped build a new clothesline (the barbed wire fence was putting holes in clothes and bedding) and some new shelving for food storage. I also got to teach a Sunday school class - in Spanish! Mostly, though, we spent time playing and being with the 18 children there. I lost count of the times that my heart swelled simply talking with, reading with, or just holding the hand of one of the children. The other 4 days in the DR we spent in a resort town, diving and carousing a bit. If you have even the slightest interest in Orphanage Outreach, either to participate yourself, to hear stories and see pictures, or to support my next trip down there with a donation of cash or clothing, please let me know and I’ll get you details. I would love your help.

So what else will 1998 bring? A new truck in the next couple of weeks as my Toyota was stolen and burned while I was in the DR. Work permitting, I plan to go back to the DR in March and also over Thanksgiving. I’ll continue working with Kappa Sigma, dive a lot, fly a lot, ride my motorcycle a lot, and hope to buy an airplane. To free up more time for FMG, and to pay for the truck and airplane, I am selling two of my rental houses, keeping just the condo and the house on First Street. Most importantly, I’m going to keep spending time with people I care about, and seeing some of you that I haven’t seen in way too long.

With the passing of Ted, Dorothy, and Matt, and the experience at the orphanage, I’ve been reminded in a very palpable way that what matters in life really boils down to those you love and those who love you; and while other things are fun, and even valuable, they pale in comparison.

Visit me, write me, call me, e-mail me...

Love,

George

February 17, 1998

Ooops!

My holiday letter, probably to be called the February letter from this point forward since that is when I will likely continue to get it out in future years, had a huge screw up in it.

Mom reminded me that Grandma Annie also passed away last year, which I of course knew, though managed to neglect to put it in my letter due to some sort of mindlessness and confusion on the date.

Mom’s mad, as she should be, I feel like a schmuck, as I should, and I want you all to know that I’m really, really sorry. I truly am trying to become less of a flake, please bear with me.

This is, of course, right on the heels of visiting the Kestenbaum’s in Westlake Village and Bill in Oxnard, where I hand delivered their cards. Had great visits though, it was great seeing everyone. I love you all and hope to be back out soon via a very small airplane (free rides to any and all).

I also got Victoria’s address, which I had lost somehow - sorry for the delay in your card.

Anyway, sorry again for the screw up, hope you’ll forgive me.

Love,

George