Has there ever been such anticipation to ring in the new year as was the introduction to 2009? Whether it be frustration with the lame duck resident still in the Oval Office, the impatience of watching Inauguration Day countdown clocks wind down the agonizing wait for new blood in our government or the need to cling to glass half-full optimism in the face of utter disarray... sprinting to the finish line of 2008 never sounded so good.

2007 did me no favors and '08 overall continued in the side-eye tradition. Another year praying that Robitussin will do as the quicker-pick-me-upper since I can't afford health coverage. Still haven't found a gig that pays worth a damn, my love life's nonexistant and straddling the ways to make a dollar out of 15¢ is fucking exhausting.

As is tradition for any self-respecting New Yorker, Times Square was not an option. Not merely because the onslaught of tourists, confetti and couples afflicted with massive PDA syndrome isn't exactly my idea of a fun night out on the town... but it was one of those nights when seeing the frosty mouth trails from TV correspondents on air didn't do the weather true justice. Winter's my favorite season, but that wind chill was on some next shit. Curling up on the sofa in my footies with a glass of Yellowtail was my idea of a good time.

As the dawn of a new crossroads is upon us, all I can do is ask for the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

Labels: 2009, New Year's Day, reflection