Now that I sit down and think about it, 2009 has been quite a ride. I should do this more often during the year. 2009 was chock-full of good happenings. Here are a few highlights:

- The Adkin-Bedard wedding in Cuba
- Completed the Balaton Swim
      part 2
- Biked around the north shore of Balaton
      part 1
      part 2
      part 3

- Cut all my hair off after 23 years in a ponytail

- Enjoyed the house in Szalonna almost every second weekend
- Celebrated 4 years of Treehugger Dan's Bookstore Cafe at Csengery u., and 2 years at Lazar u.
- Opened location 3! Treehugger Dan's Fair Trade, University and Foreign Language Book Center
- Featured in Elle Magazine
- Was given a 6-month free pass to the World Class Gym by someone I barely knew
- Won a diamond-gold ring
- Played Santa at 2 schools
- After 21 flats in 19 years in Budapest, finally bought one
- Got picked up for the first (and hopefully not the last) time in my life
- Put a new roof on the house in Szalonna
- Found a dog a new home
      part 2
- organised the successful Mookie Was Robbed charity concert
- the Treehugger Dan Newsletter now reaches over 5700 people
- Hosted a myriad of excellent musical, literary and cultural events, including:
    Mookie Brando
    Michael Kentish
    Jazz Apples
    Andrea Gerak
    Robin Ashe-Roy
    The Bardroom
    Zold Hullam
    Two Thieves from the Tea Thieves
    Bob Pike
    Bianca Otero Photo Exhibition
    Bob Pike and the Beards of '49
    Marion Merrick Book Launch
    Bitch Moan and Wine
    The Voice and the Verse
    Ignite!
    Malesha Jesse and Tumba y Quemba
    Marco & Kati
    The Last Drops
    Andras Gerevics Book Launch
    The Future Museum
    Book Launch of Teaching the Unteachables:  An Experiential Education Handbook
    Jamie Howell
I also enjoyed the company of many good friends, good wines, cheeses and olives.

What's up in 2010?
Treehugger Dan will be stepping back a bit from the business. My long-time assistant manager Tunde will be taking over day-to-day operations, allowing me to get out of the shop more and develop more business ideas as well as enjoy life more. I plan on more hiking and swimming and cycling, as well as continuing my regiment at the gym, getting back into squash and folk dancing. I plan on going to the theater and movies more often and drinking less. I am considering picking up the guitar again after a 13 year hiatus after the break up of  Captain Pedantic and the Scurvey Dogs. Upcoming events at THDs include:

Thursday, January 7, 2010 19:30-21:00 Eszter Polyak – Naked Woods
Thursday, January 28, 2010 19:30-21:00 Michael Kentish Concert
Friday, February 5, 2010 19:30-21:00 The Bob Pike Show
Thursday, February 18, 2010 19:30-21:00 Flamenco Evening with Nick Palmer (UK) and Attila Pozsgai (H)
(provisionally) Wednesday, March 10 Book Launch: The Last Window Giraffe by Péter Zilahy 
April ? Stephen Ladek and Friends

Thanks everyone for a great year, and I look forward to 2010!