Let me admit right from the start: I really don’t like New Year’s Eve, never have. It makes me sad. There’s something comforting about the present and recent past, and the thought of a new year coming and all the unknowns that come with it has always made me apprehensive, if not fearful. Especially as I’ve gotten older and watched all those around me age as well. We all know nothing lasts forever, and the arrival of a new year with all its possibilities and destinies seems to emphasize that very point. So excuse me if this post is not rah-rah, bring on 2010, and all that bull$hit.
Interesting to read my last post from last year and compare it with this one. All I can say is, man, I’m tired.
I am truly fearful about 2010, lots of people I know are as well. Between the clueless clowns in power in Washington hell-bent on destroying this country as we’ve come to know it, or the prospect of Iran having nukes (or Israel taking action to prevent such), I believe the upcoming year will be especially volatile.
It’s so much easier to look back on a year that seems to have passed by almost as soon as it started. Where did the time go? Fortunately for Tracey and me, we kept our health, our home, and our jobs for another year – no mean feat in and of itself; I know a lot of people have not been so fortunate. And while we lost Tracey’s dad and other beloved acquaintances, having both of my parents around in good stead is a blessing I take not for granted. We also did quite a bit of traveling this year; anytime you can squeeze in visits to friendly and familiar vacation spots like New Orleans and Bermuda you are very fortunate.
Of course, as with any year, we’ve had our times of trouble juxtaposed with times of joy: we bid a sad farewell to our rabbit Marble Jr. in June, then welcomed the renamed Ginger and Geronimo into her former lodgings. We lost a boatload of $ in several fruitless attempts to get Tracey’s twin sister Tammy out of the hellish situation she was living in back in Florida before finally taking measures into our own hands. Life for her (and us) here in Arizona has certainly been no bowl of cherries, but she’s safe here and we’re taking everything a day at a time. That’s all you can do.
Of course, there are some things to look forward to in 2010. God willing, it will be the year I become a Roman Catholic. And if Tracey’s sister ever gets out on her own and is able to support her own apartment, we just might get our guest bedroom back and reduce the number of rabbits in this house from a crazy seven to a more manageable five. One can only hope…
Of course, that all assumes no unforeseen shadows associated with health, happiness, and stability darken our doors. But that’s the chance you take entering a new year. At any rate, whatever happens, happens – that’s the nature of the beast we all know as life.
I thank everyone for your patronage and patience as far as this website goes. I know I’ve lost a lot of traffic as a result of my irregular postings, but there are only so many hours in a day, and work has been an absolute beast this year, but at least I’m employed – I definitely don’t take that for granted. Your visits and comments are always welcome and appreciated!
So, to all who frequent this humble outpost in the blogsphere, my best thoughts, prayers, and wishes for the happiest and healthiest of new years. Maybe a year from now we can all look back and say, “there, there, Great White Shank, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” One can only hope.
OK, that’s enough. Let’s ring out the old and ring in the new with this great video from the late, great George Harrison. R.I.P.
We bid you adieu, 2009. Be gentle to us in 2010, will ya?