Happy New Year 2009

A major event is a blogger's best friend. Yeah, I can't believe I just said that either, but it's true. So it's a new year, and that's a major event I guess. It happens every year and we celebrate like it's something special with parties and fireworks and food. OK, well maybe this year, I dozed off and on until the midnight hour, when I watched uncomfortably as Dick Clark made out with his wife as the ball dropped in Times Square. Leave that one alone...I can't handle dirty Dick Clark jokes.

Anyway, it's 2009 today and I have some ideas about the new year. I'll post them here and check back next year to see how it all goes. I didn't make any resolutions last year because I typically don't like resolutions. It's just something to be disappointed about should you not keep them. Well, I'll make them this year, but if I don't keep them, I'll try again...I won't beat myself up about it. That, my friends, is my first resolution.

Cook More at Home - People eat out a lot. In the month of December, I decided to find out just how much I spend on food and it was quite a bit...not all from eating out, but a good chunk of it was. Oh...and I was purposely trying to NOT eat out. So my first resolution is to cook more and a variety of meals. And I need to buy a fridge for my office...that'll help too on the lunch front.

Weekly Cartoons - This is not going to start until the middle of January, but I have ideas and I enjoy writing stories. For 6 years, I was able to maintain a schedule of weekly comic updates, which is the only way to keep readership. I slacked off a bit last year and lost a bunch of readers...I need to return to the weekly update schedule to get them all back.

Save Money - I'll figure it out.

Continue the Monthly Night Out - This is a break from day to day stress...a night to relax. It's a night to have a few drinks, sing some songs, and just have fun. My current place of choice is the Hong Kong in Boston's Fanueil Hall...I know the owner, the DJ, and the waitresses now, which makes it even more enjoyable.

Read More Books - And I don't mean the graphic or the comic type. I don't recall reading a single book in 2008...not completely anyway.

Maintain Friendships - This is difficult when everyone starts to move away and have families. People are so busy...I think Facebook makes it easy to stay in touch, but it doesn't replace getting together over drinks or spending hours catching up. They say reunions are less important now because of the Internet, but I say a few reunions could be fun. I'll start planning now. It's been great getting back in touch with all the people I've reconnected with on Facebook and beyond thanks to the power of the Internet, and I look forward to maintaining this in 2009. There are still plenty of people left that I'd like to find.

Having a Baby/Being a Responsible Parent - I certainly didn't save this for last because I don't think it's one of the most important things that will ever happen in my life; I saved it for last because it's not really a resolution. I felt the need to bring it up on this list at all since it's happening this year and I haven't written anything about it. I'm guessing there are at least a hundred baby posts yet to come in the next six months and beyond, including one specifically about "having a baby" coming in the next few days. It'll be my first posts of many this year on that and many other subjects.

I've cut back to a single blog permanently as I've decided it's too much pressure to update two...nor is it necessary to update two. Everything I have to say, I can put right here for you to read. And I want you to read and comment throughout the year...it's what makes it all fun and worthwhile. Happy New Year! Here's hoping it's a great one for all of us!