New Year Musings and Greetings
I rarely disagree with anything James Lileks writes in his Daily Bleat. After all, we're so much alike. People often mistake me for him...a less-intelligent, less-witty, less-perceptive and less-talented version of him, to be sure...but, still. And we have a lot in common. For example, we both use Macs. And...um...OK, we're both dog guys. Oh, and we both live in the same time zone. And...well, we both married way over our heads, but since that applies to about 99% of the married male population, perhaps that doesn't count for much. I must, however, take strong exception to something he wrote in today's edition:
Says you, Minnesota-Boy. I distinctly remember -- and continue to practice -- two longstanding New Year's Day traditions. One is the Ritual Eating of the Blackeye Peas, which has been scientifically proven to bring the diner good luck during the new year. I know I'm not alone in this observance; today's newspaper has an article stating that both Luby's and Furr's Cafeterias are serving "complimentary" BEPs tomorrow, so that no unfortunate will have to forego good luck for lack of access to a can opener.
In addition, everyone knows that what you do on New Years Day, you'll do all year long. So we take special care to engage in activities which we deem essential to our enjoyment of the next twelve months, including (but not limited to): breathing, drinking coffee, not watching Katie Couric, not wearing a tie (my wife tends to consign that one to irrelevancy, but I notice that she doesn't wear a corset on New Years Day, so I guess it evens out), and going for a run and/or a bicycle ride, weather permitting. (There are a few other activities that we also want to make sure get covered, but they're really none of your business.)
But, you know, regardless of how you observe or don't observe the passing of one year and the arrival of the next, the very least you should agree to is that January 1 provides you with a demarcation point for which to begin anew with whatever hopes, dreams and wishes you hold dear. And it doesn't hurt one bit to bid well to those things on behalf of others who've meant something to you during the past year.
With that in mind, I want to send a special New Year's Day greeting to the special bloggers* that most encouraged and challenged me in 2003, and pray that they'll experience some simple pleasures in 2004 like a tripling of readership, a six-category jump in Ecosystem Ranking, and some minor stuff like good health, safety, joy and peace. So, to Bryan, the other Bryan, Daniel, Jen, Natalie and the Inmates, Julie, John, Jack, Kevin, George, Wallace (and fellow blogger Julie [the other one,that is], the new Mrs. Wallace as of yesterday -- congratulations guys!), Dawn, Scott, Paul, The Thinklings (all 68 or so of them), Deb, Jared (also a Thinkling), Rachel and Irene: please accept my best wishes for you and your families for the best year ever in 2004! Youse guys is da bombs. And I mean it.
*Just because you're not in this post doesn't mean you're not appreciated! I just experienced a brain lock and forgot to mention you. Being the kind person I know you to be, you'll understand and have a good new year anyway.
Happy New Year!
And thanks for helping us feel "in touch" with Midland.
Posted by: John and Alexandra at January 1, 2004 01:52 PMThank you, Eric. To you and yours: Happy New Year!
Before I went overseas (the second time) I went to school in San Angelo. When we got to Italy, we didn’t know how to get around, how to amuse ourselves, you know, how to just hang out. Until we figured it out, we listened to a lot of CDs. One of them was Cock Robin’s After Here Through Midland.
Luckily, CDs don’t wear out as fast as LPs (or am I the only one who remembers vinyl?), so I still have it. The title track goes:
Thought my days here were given up for forgotten
Can’t burn cedar, it must come out by the roots.
I’m not driving, but I’m taking bets,
Six full hours and we ain’t crossed it yet:
One more stop after here through Midland I know
(One more stop)
One more stop after here through Midland I know
Till I come to rest; till I come to rest…
Turn back now and I might as well read my fortune,
Lose this vengeance long since been overdue.
Half-awake there’s not much left,
Walk my dollar across to Juarez.
One more stop after here through Midland I know
(Oh, I know, I know)
One more stop after here through Midland I know
Till I come to rest…
I left some worn-out dreams hanging on a wire.
The city that’s my passage to the West
Is just over the rise.
(Oh, I…)
I’m not driving, but I’m taking bets,
Six full hours and we ain’t crossed it yet:
One more stop after here through Midland I know
(Oh, I know, I know)
One more stop after here through Midland I know
One more stop after here through Midland I know
Till I come to rest; till I come to rest…
Till I come to rest; till I come to rest…
I think that part of the world will always live in my heart with peace and freedom, as long as my mind remembers, and my heart still feels. I half expect to find that the way to Heaven lies through those sere hills.
Those were some of the happiest times in my life; newly wed, no children, and room to roam — from Abilene to San Antonio, from Austin to Odessa…ah! Bliss. We had a little Celica to enjoy it with, — with a sunroof! — and we did. We surely did. And you know, those were some of the nicest people in the world. Truly, the very nicest.
I'm happy to know some things don't change.
Posted by: Daniel Morris at January 1, 2004 02:39 PMGreat, I spent most of today driving from Kentucky to S.C. and browsing through a mall. Does that mean I'm consigned to drive to the mall constantly through the new year?!? Please, no!
Happy New Year, Eric. ;-)
Posted by: bryan at January 1, 2004 04:28 PMHappy New Year to you and yours!
Posted by: kevin whited at January 1, 2004 05:03 PMThanks. That was very thoughtful.
I didn't eat any blackeyed peas last 1/1, and I had a mix of good and bad luck during the year. But, the good luck far exceeded the bad luck, so I'm going to risk it again this year.
Best wishes for '04 and beyond.
Posted by: George at January 1, 2004 05:16 PMThanks, Eric -- honoured to make the list despite being so new to your blogroll :) Blessings to you & yours...
Posted by: irene at January 1, 2004 09:54 PMThanks for the mention, Eric. Happy new year to you, as well.
Posted by: jen at January 2, 2004 09:26 AMHappy New Years to all from the Honeymooners
--Julie and Wallace--
Posted by: Wallace at January 2, 2004 12:07 PMOn behalf of myself and the 67(!) other Thinklings, thanks for the mention!
Hope your year is blessed!
Robert, I must admit that I had not heard of that Cock Robin song (but I do know ALL about vinyl!); thanks for sharing it. And thanks for the comment, which I'll choose to accept as a compliment.
And Wallace, I suggest that you take another look at your lovely bride and then ask yourself, "why am I blogging on my honeymoon?!" ;-)
Posted by: Eric at January 2, 2004 02:22 PMAnd another Happy New Year, my friend! I am so grateful that you didn't shut down The Gazette this past year as you had considered. I had just found you ... and found you amazing! What a joy it is to enter the New Year with you. Keep up the great work. God Bless you and your family.
Posted by: The Parson at January 2, 2004 05:56 PMThanks for including me on the list! (A rather belated comment I know but hey!). Hope your new year is overloaded with blessings!
Posted by: Rachel at January 2, 2004 10:12 PMRachel, I could never overlook my favorite teacher/checkout chick! OK...I admit that you're the ONLY teacher/checkout chick I know, but that's still a great combination. Blessings to you, lady.
Posted by: Eric at January 3, 2004 10:13 PMFlattery gets you everywhere! I knew I read your blog for a reason lol!
Posted by: Rachel at January 4, 2004 05:12 PMAbout the publisher
Random Abbye photos...
Reason #21 to wear shoes in West Texas
From my rooftop, I can see my own mortality
The USPS: We're now 27% more efficient at mangling your mail!
My Favorite Yard Work
Review: The Amazon Kindle
Personal Library Exploration Continues
Tech Support That's Out of This World
Flower and Butterfly
The Season's First Roundup
Recording History
Want a Healthier Mind? Fuggedaboutit!
Redefining a Bust
Thank you...
Farewell to Abbye
The Neighborhood:
West Texas Blogs:
[Midland unless otherwise indicated]
Other Texas Blogs:
The Business:
The Church:
The World:
Thanks, Eric.
I hope the new year will bring good things to you and yours. God bless!
Posted by: Julie Neidlinger at January 1, 2004 12:10 AM