First off, my biggest congratulations to Raj and Annika for their natural, epidural-free birth. You two are so strong and I’m so proud of you. Mia is beautiful and I can’t wait to meet her or hear from Spun how the evening went (she was their doula).

As I shot this photo, meant solely to be a beautiful new delicate flower at dawn, I realized there were three buds around it. Truly, religious references could be made here, but I’d also like to think that Mia’s mom and dad are the two buds on the left and all of those who supported them bring her into this world, surrounding them with light, joy, and happiness are represented by the small bud behind the star of the show. These other flowers provide strength, future guidance, and add to the beauty of the moment by being there to witness this perfect flower joining the world today without competing for center stage.

Happy birthday Mia. You’ve come into one of the most perfect Seattle days and you’re surrounded by so much love. Welcome.

And just like that, my 30th year has drawn to a close. My permit has expired and I’m off to zone 31 now. But don’t fret, I’m actually pretty elated for the age bump. Last year was huge … massive … some would say game changing. What’s that? You want a recap of the highlights of all of the firsts I checked off my list this year? I thought you’d never ask. Brace yourself, short of getting a red coupé it was pretty much a turning point in my life.

• Went to Spain
• Went skydiving with 60 seconds of freefall
• Got high. Sorry mom.
• Went to a destination wedding in Mexico
• Went parasailing
• Started flossing on a regular basis (one of my bigger accomplishments)
• Got everything queued up to file for a provisional patent for a pending project
• Built a desk
• Cut bottles into cups
• Silk screened clothes, ties, bags, etc
• Helped my bride follow her dreams by starting up her own business
• Got a tattoo. Sorry mom.
• Went wine tasting
• Was elated to hear my sister and her boyfriend got engaged. Congrats B+C!
• Discovered “the UN of beverages” can lead you to mild alcohol poisoning
• Developed an appreciation for beer
• Had absinthe at Picasso’s absinthe bar (follow her Love!)
• Got one of those hurking black toenails (see following day after UN of beverages)
• Fought gypsies
• Went to HUMP
• Bought a Rudy Fig painting (love it)
• Participated in a proper bachelor party. Sorry mom … and Spun.
• Zip lined across a quarter mile cable, 800′ above a canyon floor
• Fell off my bar stool … mind you this was at a swim up bar.
• Went on a booze cruise (wow, you’d think I didn’t drink for 28 years or something)
• Drove a boat. (was concurrent with one of the other firsts above, I’ll leave the process of elimination up to you to figure out which)
• Was part of that table at a wedding (congrats again T+C)

All in all, 30 was … if I can be so bold … pretty fucking amazing. If you have any other potent notables that you recall, drop them in the comments. As for all of you who helped make 30 one of my most active, most memorable, most exciting years to date, THANK YOU. I love you guys and can’t wait to see what this year has in store.