Shut Up And Listen 199

Here's To The New Year And The One That Came Before

Well, I'm a week late, but that doesn't really matter. I would have included my thoughts on the new year in last week's column, but I was lazy and felt burned out after writing about all of that music. So, it's 2005 and what the fuck does that mean?

It basically means the same thing every other new year has always meant: you have to remember to write "05" in dates rather than "04" for the first month until it becomes a reflex. Other than that, it's almost meaningless. Oh, we try to attach meaning, but that's really just an excuse to get drunk and make out with someone (I truly believe New Year's Eve was invented by frat boys).

I used to make resolutions like everyone else (and was foolish enough to put them in this column once or twice), but fuck it. I never stuck to them and nor does pretty much anyone. My only goal is that this year is better than the last. And over the past few years, I think I kept that goal. 2004 was better than 2003, which was better than 2002. Shit, 2004 was a pretty good year for me all around. I technically got a job in 2003, but I kept in 2004 over the summer and into the new school year (as it's a work study job and by keeping it, I mean, I still have it even though I was rejected by the work study program), and that's good, I guess. I began writing for The Gazette at school and while that isn't that big or anything, I really like it. I wrote a play that's going to be performed in a couple of weeks and had at least one script accepted for publication. Had some good times with friends, do alright in school, had some strange experiences with women and shit like that. It seemed alright to me, but then again, how do you judge a year?

As for 2005 . . . well, honestly, we're eight days into it and it's been pretty good so far. That could change at any moment, but what the hell? I think having the goal of making the new year better than the best is one that everyone should have. You'd be surprised how easy it is to accomplish. It's just one of those things that seems to happen because of a certain mindset. Or it's luck. I can't say for sure. I don't know, I'm just beginning to think that if you have a mindset where things are going to be such a way, it kind of works out (I refuse to call it positive thinking though). I've also learned that you've gotta put yourself out there. The fact that you're scared means that it's probably worth doing (and I'm not talking about shit like jumping out of an airplane scared where there is a distinct possibility that you can die, I mean more emotional danger and humiliation . . . the fun stuff).

But now I'm sounding like a jackass. But I did manage to fill up a column with it, so maybe I'm on to something. See you next week where you'll have to believe the column will be better than this one.