The new year and my attempts at optimism
Like it or not, the new year has begun. And, according to my witty brother, “2009 is going to be divine.”
I hope he’s right and am choosing (trying) to remain optimistic. Alas, thus far, ‘09 doesn’t feel a whole lot different than ‘08. As evidenced by my trip to the gym today, people are still declaring health and fitness as their new year’s resolution. I had forgotten how much I hate January at the gym, when my usual parking spot and elliptical machine are stolen by the delusional idiots who can’t follow through on a promise to themselves and only exercise for one month out of the year.
Attempt at optimism #1: In February the gym will be mine again.
Other unfortunate ‘08/’09 similarities: Unemployment, financial woes, the degrading self-loathing that comes with having to borrow money from your parents at the age of almost-30. After looking at some photos, I realized that I even wore the same sweater on New Year’s Eve ‘08 as I did on New Year’s Eve ‘09, the lack of extra funds with which to buy myself new clothing in 2008 being the obvious explanation.
Attempt at optimism #2: When I get a job, I’ll buy myself a new sweater. After I pay off my credit card.
For those of us trapped in the land of Why The Fuck Am I Still Single When I’ve Got So Much Going For Me (ha), the start of a new year can also bring with it dating resolutions—this year, I’m putting up an online profile! I’m going to get laid if it kills me!—and misguided, child-like hope—this year, I’m finally going to meet someone!
Attempt at optimism #3: It won’t be long now before I meet the lucky guy I’m going to share my life with.
In all seriousness, though they may be subtle, the last year has witnessed some marked changes in my life. I’ve found joy and, dare I say it, contentedness in some unanticipated places. I survived my Saturn return; got published; created a Web site; got a job; lost a job; returned to Match.com and dating; welcomed my best friends to Boston; found my family (again) in my friends; and recognized with more certainty what I’m meant to spend my life doing.
Attempt at optimism #4: It may not rhyme, but 2009 could very well kick some ass.
I, for one, am looking forward to finding out what another year may bring.
January 5th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Dude, why have you never said anything about this Saturn Return thing before? I feel like my entire fall was just explained by wikipedia…
And I definitely think your attempt at optimism #1 will come true… I give it ’til after MLK day, and I’m sure the elliptical machines will be all yours again.
January 7th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Who knows, maybe the “one” is one of those guys at the gym this January taking up your parking spot. You never know. Happy New Year!!
January 8th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
what is a saturn return? is that a joke?
January 13th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Not a joke at all. Click on the link I included above—Wikipedia actually explains it fairly well. Essentially, every 29 years, in its rotation around the sun, Saturn returns to the place it was in when we were born and wreaks havoc upon our lives, pushing us into the next stage of life.
November 26th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
[...] [This time of year, every blogger writes the obligatory, heartfelt giving-thanks post, listing the things that he or she is thankful for. I think it’s, like, a law in the blogger handbook, to of course be followed by the reflections on the past year/new year’s resolutions post.] [...]