Dear 2008

Damien is Free

Thank you.

From the suckiest 2007 to the best year of my life. Some move! 2008 saw me finishing up in my day job and working for myself and being diagnosed with MS. No no, this was good. I got a tattoo with the word “Free” inked on my chest a few months ago just to remind myself of this year and what happened. MS was the best wake-up call ever. It made me realise life is short, most people are worth loving while a few aren’t worth your time at all. I’m caring more and I’m caring less. I’m working harder than ever and loving every single second of it. Work for me now is 7 days a week, 16 hours a day at times and it’s totally fun. Money and tangibles became even less important for me in 2008 than previously. I’m saying “ah well” more than ever before too because I’m taking risks and that’s a phrase you’ll say now and then after you take that risk.

I’ve lost some friends but I’ve gained tonnes more and am now not just surrounded but mobbed by amazing and inspiring people, many of them read and contribute to this blog. You all rock! I’ve got some plans for 2009 and 2010 and 2011 and 2012 as it happens but I don’t care too much if they work out or not. If they don’t: Ah well. The journey is the real fun and interesting bit.

I’ll enjoy being free next year too and whatever number of years after that. Thanks 2008. Thanks to everyone that took time out of their lives to read Mulley.net, to leave a comment (even if calling me an asshole) and to share their thoughts and opinions with me offline too. See you on the other side.

33 Responses to “Dear 2008”

  1. Cormac says:

    Best of luck in 2009.

  2. here’s to another 2008 mulley

  3. notebook says:

    review…

    This year took an unexpected turn in February. I was driving home after a trip to Cork in the early hours of the morning, rear wheel tyre blew out I veered off towards the other side or the road, spun over two times and somehow the car ended up facing …

  4. Joe Scanlon says:

    Good on ya Damien!
    I hear you boss is an asshole tho πŸ™

  5. Grannymar says:

    Today I read somewhere:

    ‘Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or.I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.’ I think you wrote it! πŸ˜‰

    I hope 2009 is even more successful for you!

  6. Happy New Year Damien πŸ™‚

  7. Alexia Golez says:

    Awesome post. You worked your arse off last year and deserve every millisecond of your successes. Your trajectory will be much higher next year.

  8. Pat Phelan says:

    Hope 09 rocks Damien

  9. Darragh says:

    life is short, most people are worth loving while a few aren’t worth your time at all. I’m caring more and I’m caring less.

    Brilliant. Have a great new year Damien. Keep smiling.

  10. Green Ink says:

    You’re welcome, asshole.

  11. ryan says:

    Happy new year πŸ™‚

  12. John says:

    Have an even more successful 2009

  13. paul says:

    Thanks for the food for thought in ’08, looking forward to an interesting ’09.

  14. Your post ‘And?’ was one of the more memorable positives in my own annus horribilis. 2008 sucked on about four serious levels. Thanks for minimising the suckage with regular doses of common sense, and good luck in 2009.

  15. Go have a ball in 2009 Damien. As all young and single people should do πŸ™‚

    keith

  16. steph says:

    “MS was the best wake-up call ever”

    Those words say SO much.

    Every best wish for ’09.

    In admiration
    Steph

  17. Helen Brown says:

    Best. Tattoo. Ever.

    And ditto to all the nice things everyone else has said.

    πŸ™‚

  18. d@\/e says:

    So you’re gradually turning into Mr Wilberforce Clayborne Humphries of Grace Brothers? Is that another MS symptom πŸ˜‰

    Happy New Year !

  19. […] Cool goodbye to 2008 from Damien. […]

  20. Michael Kane says:

    Happy new year man, lookin forward to knowing you better in 09.
    Keep the torch burnin

  21. stwidgie says:

    Wishing you a good new year. Your positivity and energy are infectious – thanks!

  22. Charles says:

    Another 2008 so then kid – hopefully we’ll have our schedules overlap more though

  23. K8 says:

    GOOD choice for a tattoo. May it serve you well.

    Happy new year, dude.

  24. Have a great year Damian!

  25. […] Mulley From the suckiest 2007 to the best year of my life. Some move! 2008 saw me finishing up in my day job and working for myself and being diagnosed with MS. No no, this was good. […]

  26. John Keyes says:

    Nice post Damien, hope you are as free in 2009.

  27. MicheΓ‘l says:

    That’s a really inspiring post Damien. My 2008 was crap and it was myself and the way I think that was completely responsible. I’m really positive about the year ahead and I’m confident the changes I’ve decided to make will see 2009 for me being something similar to your 2008. Hope your 2009 works out well too!

  28. Des says:

    Very interesting post Damien, Best of luck this year, I’m sure you’ll rock it.

  29. Nathalie says:

    Great post. Just catching up on Google Reader and had 11 Mulley posts to get through; just wanted to say thanks for them all and for all the posting throughout the year. It’s bloggers like you and Alexia that make people feel included and connected to the blogging community; I don’t feel I know what’s going on until I’ve read both of your posts in my reader.

    So thanks!

  30. Darren says:

    Here’s to another 2008 for you, Damien. I’m loving that so many people have had such positive experiences in a year that marked the global downturn. My own year was probably the best of my life and doesn’t look to be letting up in 2009.

    Happy days all ’round! πŸ™‚

  31. Steve says:

    Your still an asshole… πŸ™‚

    You know what I mean.

  32. […] As pointed out by the investigators, it will take larger-scale, controlled trials to determine whether this expensive, potentially risky procedure is superior to other approved treatment options. This new research is still only in the early phases of development but at least, it’s a step in the right direction. Fingers crossed Damien! […]

  33. Ellen says:

    Hi Damien, a lovely blog post. You really do have an easy way with words and your words are so true. My husband died last week suddendly of a heart attack. He was very young. We never know when our time is up and must live life to the fullest….like you are