Rant #1,113: Happy New Year

Well, it has finally come down to this.

In less than 24 hours, we will be in calendar year 2014.

Personally, I don't think that 2013 was any year to write home about.

It had its ups and downs, but it wasn't nearly as bad as 2012 was--one of the worst years in my memory--so, at least we can say that we hit bottom in 2012, and 2013 was sort of an improvement.

I look forward to the new year as I always do, a time to get a fresh start.

No, I do not make any resolutions, because, as you know, they are made to be broken.

I just look forward to the ball dropping in Times Square, which I watch from the cozy confines of my warm house.

There is absolutely no way I would ever attend that thing.

I remember that when I was a kid, I also watched the ball drop, but things were a bit different.

My parents used to go out with their friends, so it was up to me, the big brother of the house, to watch my sister.

That was the one night out of the year that I could basically stay up to whatever time I wanted, eat what I wanted, watch what I wanted, and then doze off to sleep--but not before the inevitable phone call from my mother, asking, "How are things at home?"

I loved it. I watched Johnny Carson, watched the ball drop, stayed up into the wee hours, and felt like a real adult.

Today, things are so different. As an adult, I haven't been out on New Year's Eve for years--why bother? Everything is so expensive, and I would rather be home.

Does anybody even go out anymore for this celebration? I know that people do, but it doesn't appear to be as joyous as it used to be.

But at least I get a day off tomorrow, so I will next see you on Thursday.

Have a great New Year, and thanks for coming around here every day to see what I have to say.

I really appreciate it.