Ringing Ears on New Years

I've begun a tradition over the past few years of missing the Rose Parade on New Years morning. Instead of marching bands and pretty floats, this year I rolled out of bed (at 11:15) to the crooning tune of Rocky III (and then Rocky IV). This is the second day in a row I've had the pleasure of viewing Sylvester Stallone kicking some serious butt (Demolition Man is an excellent way of ringing in the New Year). As I sat, wrapped up in my new fluffy green blanket, I imagined 2010 kicking the ass (..or perhaps planting a solid right hook on the face of...) 2009. As my lovely husband said of his namesake (or so he claims), Rocky may not be the biggest or strongest fighter out there, but he has the most heart! So, I look at 2010, it may not have have the advantage of being a single digits 2000 (e.g. 2003) number, it may not be cool enough to be honored by the title of "odd," and it may have the indignity of being pronounced "twenty-ten," but it is a new beginning, a new decade, and already has a great deal of heart.

2009 went out with a shudder as we slowly dragged ourselves over the finish line of 11:59:59. The turning over of one year to the next is greeted by champagne, kissing, fireworks, streamers, a ball dropping, and, this year, relief. Last year is now housed in shadow, present for us to squint back on, but hidden so that we don't have to dwell in the past.

There were some good things, new kitties, new shoes, new dances, new friends, and new inspiration. Even more than that, however, 2009 tried to drag us down with illness, death, and pain.

2010 is our fresh start and is chock full of potential. We begin out of debt with dreams of new classes, travel, new life, and the joining of two loved one. Our hearts are wounded but resilient.

New Year Resolutions:
I will take more pictures.
I will keep up better with those I care about.
I will drink less soda and more water.
I will put the dishes directly in the dishwasher.
I will take up some kind of activity like kick-boxing or yoga.
I will not beat myself up if I have trouble fulfilling any/all of these resolutions.

To sum up, last year kind of sucked. This year had better not, or I will take on the role of Sylvester Stallone myself, and kick some butt.