Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Christmas 2013

Happy Holiday Greetings to all of my friends and loved ones;

I have not sent a Christmas letter in 5 years or so, and I refuse to do so now—except to those who are querulously non-social and refuse social media, and in some really peevish cases, eschew email altogether.  Instead, I’m posting my Christmas letter. If you are reading this now, it is because you wish to.  And that’s the way I like it.

Let’s keep this short.  I moved to Los Angeles in May/June 2011, leaving behind my condo in Seattle which had become a millstone around my neck.  With the hope that it would sell for what I owed, I left the land of gloom and rain for sunnier climes. 

I was able to land a job within 6 weeks of arrival.  In retrospect that was as risky I have ever been—as I had only one job interview and one offer, the one I accepted.  I am information processing with the Law Firm of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, an international LLP with over 3000 attorneys which I and my 24 co-workers support.  So that was a good thing.  In the 2 and a half years I’ve been here we’ve been involved in a number of cases of international and national importance, including Apple, Inc. v. Samsung, and Perry v. Schwartzenegger/Brown/ Hollingsworth, which went to the Supreme Court of the United States. 

Currently I live in beautiful Arcadia, California.  I don’t get to enjoy the sunshine much as I’m working harder than I ever have in my life.  Apparently my “retirement” happened between 45 and 55, a fact that I was quite unaware of at the time.

I’ve started a new business in narrating audiobooks.  I have several books under my own name ‘Michael Hacker’ which can be digitally downloaded to your PC, tablet or smartphone from Audible.com.  I also have a number of romances which are narrated under my pseudonym Lyn Madden, however, only “On with the Show” and the “The Gift” are g-rated so be warned.

Finally I’m delighted to say that my move has resulted in much better health and well-being.  I’ve now lost a total of 32 pounds and I’m back to my late-90s weight.  My goal is 225, which will be my college graduation weight.  However, I’ll be satisfied with 235, my weight before I stopped smoking in 1986. 

On a sadder note, I had to say goodbye to my sweet Molly Hamster, who developed late stage lymph cancer this past September.  I shall never forget our last night together.  She woke me up at 4 AM—even as ill as she was, she was still mindful of her training.  We went into the back yard, and she sat looking at the stars for the longest while, in perfect stillness.  I pray she was content.

Feel free to drop me a line or call if you would like more specifics regarding any of the above.  Although sunny and warm in lovely SoCal, I left all my friends behind in Seattle, and it’s been hard to make new ones given my schedule. 

Was that short?  I hope so.

Best wishes for a truly blessed Christmas,


Love, Mike