Another New Year

Holidays are never the best time for me, and the beginning of the new year is the end, but the dread doesn't end there. I do best when I have things to look forward to. Sometimes minor things, like a favorite TV show (which hasn't been happening much lately) can pull me through a day- give me something pleasant to anticipate. Major things, like vacations, days off, or events can keep me going through weeks or even months like a 12-stepper taking things one day at a time. The next waystation is at least a couple of months away.

This part of the year, though, has so very little to look forward to. The huge anticipation of many for the holidays, which for me is a precarious balance of 2 weeks off with the holidays themselves, is over, and it is back to routine, a routine that has been shaken ever since Thanksgiving and needs to be knit back together. Just waking up at 5:20 instead of around 8:00 is going to be a bothersome chore for the first week. Standing for most of the day will take its toll on my feet.

Switching gears, on the entertainment front there are a few small things to look forward to. Lately we have been NetFlixing both Torchwood (finished first season - has promise) and Supernatural (about to start getting second season - excellent), and those are fine diversions. Lost will start again at some point in January I think. Movie-wise, my top anticipated movie is in limbo (Watchmen), so there is no joy there. Perhaps it will release on time in March, perhaps not.

Books have been a good diversion lately. Neal Stephenson always writes thought provoking novels, and Anathem didn't disappoint. Good characters, a skewed version of our reality with his usual connection to a deeper course of study (The Diamond Age was a primer on computer programming, Cryptonomicon dealt with math and codebreaking, the impressively massive Baroque Cycle with the birth of the monetary system - Anathem is philosophy driven). Really enjoyed it, and it continues to pinball around in my head. Just finished the book I will be recommending to one and all The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. A pretty amazing debut novel, with the sequel/second installment in April, I think. This one is right up there with A Game of Thrones (keep writing, Mr. Martin...we need a new book) as far as a book that presents a well rounded fantastical world with exellent characters behaving humanly.

Goals for 2009 -

well, health is always the one people cite. I could say I want to lose weight, become more fit, etc. but that is a constant.

I will attempt to post here 300 out of the 365 days in 2009.

Stay focused and not backslide. If I can make small progress and maintain that, then all is good.