'07, Here We Come!

*DEEP BREATH*

*let it out*

HAPPY 2007 EVERYBODY!!

And goodbye and good riddance to 2006... Ugh. Y'know, as years go, 2006 was neither the best ever, nor the worst. It definitely had it's moments - in all aspects of life - and for what it's worth, they were not All bad...

Politics: Sure, the Bush Circus successfully lied, cheated, killed, covered up, and bungled their way through yet another 365 days without getting themselves shot, lynched or blown up...
But the horizon is already looking a bit brighter and shiny with the glimmer of hope that is Democratic control of not only the House, but ALSO ALSO ALSO the Senate, and for the love of all that is Holy and Karmic, GWB is not Constitutionally permitted to remain at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave (nor, for that beautiful matter, in the Oval office) for more than 2 more years!! And so, for every day that he pushes North Korea closer to their breaking point; imposes American arrogance and bull-honkery on foreign countries who (justifiably) want nothing to do with the corrupt government stylings of this land; sentences thousands of American soldiers to their untimely, and pointless deaths; all while diving trillions of dollars more into debt; blatantly ignoring and disobeying the Constitution (out of date as it may be...); and ignoring (and spinning out of recognition) the original reason why Americans were so pissed off to begin with, oh, say sometime in mid-late 2001... Yes, for every one of these days, it's an other day closer to "Sianara Sucka!" Make way for another ineffectual schmucky-muck -- because they have one helluva mess to tend to!

Career: Still, I have no clue. Perhaps this is my calling in life: to constantly second-guess myself, and agonize over the fact that I'm really not built for any one career goal... Maybe the point of my professional existence is just to "fill the gaps," and do whatever doesn't make me completely miserable for forty hours a week. This is what I'm doing now, after only 3 separate attempts since January, 2006. It's not a life's calling, but it doesn't make me suicidal, either...
E continues his plight for middle-upper management in the horribly unpredictable culinary world. He is so good at his job -- and enjoys it, for the most part (which is more than you can say for a lot of people, to be sure) -- but a leg up every now and then would certainly be appreciated.

Self: *Hesitate, deep breath* It's been a long year for my self-esteem, as most are! I kind of thought that maybe after exiting teenage existence, and entering into the frightening world of adulthood (which was, oh, 6 years ago now) that I might be jarred into a solid sense of self, with a clear vision of my future, and absolute opinions on oh, anything, that I wouldn't be afraid to share with others. I would be more than happy and confident to defend my actions, and only do the things that made sense to me, and that made me, and those closest to me happy and content. Maybe I could define my relationships with everyone in my life, and I would be able to vocalize my disgust with one, or distaste for another -- all without succumbing to crippling, guilt-ridden anxiety over disappointing, or being disliked by someone I either do, or even do not care about...
Ummm... I guess I'll keep trying!
I am however, making some progress (SLOWLY, but surely). I think I am, anyway -- though sometimes it's definitely tough to say whether I'm progressing, or regressing! I guess time, and my blood pressure will tell...

Family: Oy, vay! Well, neither of my siblings, nor I managed to get pregnant, nor knock up any one-night-stands, then proceed not to tell anyone about it (including my father and girlfriend) until 2 months after it was born, so I guess we're doing a bit better than one cousin of ours... My brother, however, continues to torture the rest of the family with threats of marrying his slug-tastic, bottom-of-the-barrel girlfriend -- while my father actually DID marry his...
E managed to meet one more (yep, just ONE) redeeming member of my family when my cousin's wonderful husband (therefore, not even a blood relative, but maybe that's the trick) came to town for an impromptu visit.
A&H&E&I continued our drunken shenanigans, closing out the year (albeit a day early) with a hung-over sickfest to rival any other.

Anyway, 2007 is sure to be filled with even more surprises and shocking events, good and bad. It will, to be sure, be a year to remember -- as by the end of it, E&I will be married, and we will be one more year closer to our house & Francis-dog!! We also plan to be about 1000 collective pounds lighter, so we'll see you at the gym...

Cheers!