The last decade has been an interesting one to say the least. With regard to my job, I started it off as a professor at the University of Glamorgan and ended it as a professor at the University of Wales.
At the turn of the century, I lived in Newport but now am happily ensconced in my dream home in Cardiff.
In 2000, my main focus was solely on writing academic papers and developing research projects in entrepreneurship with not a political bone in my body.
How things have changed!
I have a fantastic wife who, in 2000, had no interest in politics but who is now standing as parliamentary candidate in next year's Westminster elections.
I had a wonderful one year old son at the beginning of the decade and, ten years later, I have a wonderful eleven year old son and a wonderful eight year old son who make my day, every day.
Most importantly, I am ten years older and wiser. Indeed, as the noughties end, perhaps the most critical lesson of all from the last ten years is not to take life too seriously, as I have been tempted to do on occasions.
Luckily, I have a group of friends, such as Sion Barry and Wil Williams, who will not hesitate to bring me down to earth when I become a bit too serious, as the photograph above shows.
Don't ask me where they got a the fake moustache but it serves me right for doing the usual ridiculous poses demanded by the Western Mail's photographers (well at least I hope it's a fake moustache!)
Here's to the next, more relaxed decade!
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