the curious case of new year's eve

it goes without saying (isn't it funny when people start saying something by explaining that they don't need to say it? i think so), but new year's eve -- henceforth affectionately referred to as "nye" -- inevitably disappoints someone/everyone each year. i don't usually go in with very high expectations, but i can't help harboring secret hopes for some sort of epic, life-altering experience at midnight; when it doesn't happen, i remind myself that i know better, and that it's silly to get excited about some arbitrary, man-made change of the clock that has already happened in hundreds of locations around the world by the time it gets to me. but still! it's like when you tell yourself you don't care about that boy in the corner, but secretly you do, and you can't seem to talk yourself out of it despite your very best efforts. it's like that.

this nye was pretty tame compared to some. still fun, though. the dawn of 2009 carried with it a number of lessons: (1), my advancing age will most likely preclude me from partying at the level to which i've grown accustomed in recent years; (2), it is far more satisfying to spend real human time with whoever's in the room than to wait for a text message from someone who was never really there to begin with anyway; and (3), champagne corks are unweildy and should be treated with extreme caution.

it should be said that i am very excited for 2009. first of all, nine is a nice multiple of three, and i feel good about threes. secondly, there are many good things already happening that have carried over into 2009; the year change doesn't mark the beginning, necessarily, but definitely offers a feeling of rebirth, cleansing and renewal. this is good. third: why not be excited? it's a new year. might as well.

with that i leave to attend to my insanely disorganized files, which need to be dealt with in honor of my happy new year attitude.

thank you:
lists, in whatever form you take; long-distance friendships that stand the test of time and... distance, for lack of a better word; periodic reminders that i'm actually finding my way; craigslist real estate listings; toast, water and naps, in that order; the food network; indie-electro-rock.

xoxo























the gregorian calendar, without whom we might not ever know the bittersweet confusion of new year's eve