And In The Waning Of A Long Long Year
I Felt The Remnants Of Last Night Disappear

Okay, I'm still sorting out what exactly may be premonitioned by the fact that the first piece of music I chose to listen to for 2006 was The Mountain Goats. Perhaps I'm feeling a bit cynical this morning, but not in a bad way. John Darnielle gets that, in reality, a cynic is just a disillusioned romantic; that despite the outward show of negativity, there's still an underlying spark of optmism buried beneath the curmudgeonly exterior. Sure, the world may be going to Hell-in-a-handbasket now, but there's always a slim chance that through some miracle, "the Chicago Cubs will beat every team in the League", and I doubt anyone could ever accuse a Cubs fan as being "cynical" - at least not to their face. As it is, the sun did appear briefly in the grey Seattle skies this morning, and the long snow drought in Lake Tahoe seems to have ended - with a vengeance (glad to hear everyone is safe & sound, Dad), so who knows what other possible miracles may be in store in the New Year?

And of course, things could be a LOT worse. The last half of my 2005 was a definite improvement over the first 7 months: I've got a good job, one I actually enjoy and which has the added benefit of giving me some stronger sense of purpose and direction; I've still got a roof over my head; I have a cornucopea of good, true and loyal friends, who can never be thanked enough for their support and encouragement; a car that RUNS; there's food in the fridge, and The Doctor is back on the Telly.

Oh yeah. It could be a lot worse.

And for whatever it's worth, this was the second album I listened to in 2006.

So, in the spirit of hopefullness, I'm willing to give 2006 the benefit of the doubt. After all, Opening Day is a mere 94 days away.

Go Cubbies. I'm rootin' for ya'.