New Year's Wishes
So today's New Year's Eve, of course, and I'm at work for the first time in two weeks, since the Big Storm of '08 (see previous post). It's 38 degrees and sunny, and the 6-10" of snow they were predicted for last night never materialized, so it seems like an apt time to look forward to the new year. My hopes for 2009, in no particular order and not necessarily all-inclusive:
- That the snow melts to some reasonable depth before spring break. I know it's a lot to ask in this God-forsaken northern wasteland I find myself in, but this is about New Year's wishes, so there.
- That the Dodgers resign Manny Ramirez. It might take a silly amount of money for a guy as old as Manny is, but I've always loved Manny, and holy crap, can the guy hit. I can't remember a time when I had as much fun watching the Dodgers as I did post-Manny, and that's worth a lot.
- Health and happiness for my boys. Ben shows more and more positive signs every day of escaping the clutches of Three-Year Oldness, and Alex is about the happiest baby imaginable. I'm incredibly fortunate to have such good kids. Alex's physical therapy seems to have done wonders for him. He's already rolling over both ways and is almost able to sit up on his own at 5 months.
- Clarity for Christy's job situation. Negotiations over salary are getting increasingly annoying, and it's hard to accept the academic lifestyle choice and accompanying decrease in pay when you've got two kids in day care. I'm hopeful it will resolve itself one way or the other soon.
- That the hope and promise of a new presidential administration is fulfilled. Even if in only a small amount, any bit of hope will be a good thing after 8 years of Bush and the fear and uncertainty of two active wars and a economy that seems to sink into a deeper hole every day. Coincidentally, I am highly amused by the links between Oregon State University and the Obama administration: Michelle Obama's brother is the new head basketball coach at OSU and a reknowned OSU biology professor, Jane Lubchenco, was named as the head of NOAA. As a strong conservationist and advocate of preventing climate change, she'll be a terrific asset. Go Beavs!