Auld Lang Syne

Despite the numerous translations you can find online about the real meaning behind Robbie Burns' often quoted poem, I still don't quite get it's relevance on New Year's Eve. And for a seemingly upbeat holiday (for those who chose to celebrate) why such a sad-sounding melody? Even if you've had the worst year of your life, shouldn't we all sing a chipper and hopeful ditty to ring in the possibilities of a fresh start? Perhaps this will be the start of my '09 new year's resolutions: come up with the next wildly popular New Year's jingle that people can have memorized by December 1st because of all the radio stations that now start their holiday playlists the week before Thanksgiving. Auld Song Done.

As we reflect on the past 365 days and look ahead to the next 365, I offer you the top ten stories of 2008 (as chosen by me) following by the top ten potential news stories of 2009.

We'll never forget you, 2008:

10. Good-bye to incredible India: We still often wonder and talk about our Chandan. If we knew how to get in touch with him we'd offer him a room in our house.

9. Hello to new roommies: The perfect ending to our unusual first year of marriage. Jeopardy parties. Learning how to properly dispose of trash. The constant stream of hot meals and endless snacks.

8. Good luck to Barack Obama: City planner, Chicago senator, basketball player, possible anti-Christ (let's just see how he talks his way out of this Blagojevich mess)...he's inheriting approximately 9.6 square kilometers of a brewing pot of dung and hoping to turn it in to surf and turf. It's going to take alot of chicken soup. But if you are to believe all these kids, we can do it. Yes, we can.

7. Good news to pretty girls everywhere: Sarah Palin proved that with a little lipstick and a killer wardrobe, anything is possible for the white toothed, genetically blessed, beauty queens.

6. Good times for the Boston Celtics: After a 21 year absence, they rose to the top again in 2008 and luckily, we were back in the good ol' US of A to witness it. (This was George's pick for top ten stories of 2008.)

5. Bad times for the economy: Economic armaggedon is at hand, my friends. In anticipation of possible bread lines, I'm looking into artisanal bread making. (Courtesy of Santa, I got a book to help me get started.) P.S. If you are worried about all your savings in the bank, I know of a safe, remote haven in the hills of CT where your money can be sent.

4. Introducing the world's newest universal, totally appropriate response to bumbling Heads of State: Shoe-throwing. What did you expect the guy to do? President Bush was making him really mad. (See number 8.)

3. Kudos to tabloids: Madonna and A-Rod WERE really an item after all! Ashlee Simpson WAS really pregnant!

2. The bittersweet taste of flying the coup: The "sweet" of course, is our new house and yard and all that that entails. The "bitter" of course, is summed up in #9.

1. We'll always have Paris: This still goes down as best surprise ever in content and execution and most certainly tops any "best" list that has to do with 2008.


For the top ten potential new stories of 2009, you'll have to check back tomorrow. I need to let my thoughts percolate for another few hours. And maybe have a cocktail or two to help spark some creativity.

Happy New Year!