This is the day we’re supposed to look back on the year and wax philosophical or something like that. I don’t have much to say about it at the moment. It was an interesting year and interesting isn’t always good but for me it has been a pretty good year and I have every reason to believe 2009 will be pretty good too.

The last time I thought of the new year as a big deal was 1999/2000. I stayed up and watched TV. Usually it’s just the day I get to start using the new calendars. I have a couple of great ones this year: a Georgia O’Keeffe calendar for the living room and a Rob Gonsalves calendar for the kitchen. I’m excited about both of those. I need to get a little one to go near the computer, I guess. I sort of thought we would get one from Bee Culture magazine again but it wasn’t in the December issue like I expected. They’re usually ugly calendars anyway, small photos, lots of ads.

The date the new year begins is arbitrary. It could just as well be in the spring. I’ve always thought it would make more sense to have the new year start near the first day of spring – either March 1st or April 1st. But on the other hand, I think we sort of need it to be just when it is to serve as the final end to the Christmas season.

Anyway, tonight I will be watching TV as usual and tomorrow I will wake up sometime between 6:00am and 6:30am as usual and will spend perhaps a minute or two thinking, “Hey, it’s the New Year. Time to change the calendar,” and “Which tea mug shall I use first in this New Year?” and “What music shall I listen to to start the New Year?” And perhaps I will spend a minute feeling smug about not being a party person and being able to enjoy the whole day. But other than that, tomorrow’s just another day.