It is now 2007.
I became acutely aware of this at midnight last night, in spite of the fact that I went to bed at 10:30. I learned it in much the same way that I have for the last 8 years: the people who live in the house behind mine fired off enough explosives to destroy South Dakota.
After the bombardment subsided (approximately 15 minutes – and this is in a state where fireworks are illegal), I reassured myself that my house was not on fire and tried to go back to sleep. I’d almost managed to do that when my cell phone rang.
By the time I’d managed to locate it and answer it, the caller had hung up. It turned out to be my roommate, who I’m sure was calling to say, “Happy New Year.” I did not attempt to call back; but at 2:45, said roommate sent me a text message: Happy New Year and Happy Birthday. I did respond to that – then went back to sleep. People my age need their rest.
For those of you keeping track: 41. Isn’t that the answer to everything?
My trip north was quite enjoyable, in spite of the fact that Vermont had no snow and the temperature seemed to approach tropical numbers. It was still nice to be home, and I made a pretty decent haul from under the tree. Cy surprised me with a Danske kettle that I’ve coveted for several years, and that was sandwiched among t-shirts, socks, chocolate, books, and a varied assortment of other cool stuff.
Cy, “T,” and I were entertained by “T’s” sons, Chris and Jamie, on the 25th and 26th. After Chris departed, Jamie pulled out the poker chips and the four of us (joined on the 28th by Karl and Diane Neuse) spent every evening attempting to recreate the World Series of Poker in front of a roaring fire. I also got to visit quite a few towns in Vermont – Middlebury, Brandon, Whitehall, Leicster, Rutland, Ferrisburgh, Shoreham, Vergennes…to name a few.
On the way to Vermont, and also on the way back from same, I stopped in Lansdale, PA, to visit with a friend. We managed to take in a nice Chinese dinner, play some pool in a tiny little bar in North Wales, PA, act as chaperones (or so it seemed) at a club which catered to the fake ID crowd, watch some television and just catch up on each other. Good times.
It was actually while we were at the pool pub that I received word that the AT&T/BellSouth merger was approved. Let the countdown begin. Reading a follow-up story yesterday, I learned that 10,000 jobs will be lost over the next three years due to the merger.
I just hope I get a decent severance package. Let me get out of debt and I’m moving north, dammit.
Greg and Lisa and their angry pack of children are expected to arrive at my house late this morning in anticipation of a visit to the Titanic exhibit in downtown Atlanta. Should be fun, but I have no idea where everyone is going to sleep tonight. My roommate and her boyfriend are also expected by this evening. It’ll be Thanskgiving all over!
Rehearsals with the GBB kick off again tomorrow night, and we’re into our NABBA schedule. 31 rehearsals between tomorrow and the end of March. That’s basically every Tuesday, every Thursday, and a few weekends.
More than likely, I’ll also have some Wednesday night sessions with a brass quintet and I’ve pretty much promised the church that hires me a few times every year that I’ll start playing with them on Sundays. I’ll be playing more than I did in college.
Maybe when AT&T drops the hammer I’ll finally be able to live out my dream of gigging for a living.
The weather right now is a rather balmy 50 degrees and clear – quite a change from yesterday’s offering of 40’s with anything from drizzles to downpours. I have no idea what the forecast is, but I’ll roll with it.
Kind of like the year in general. Here’s hoping it’s good for everyone who reads this – and for the guy who wrote it.
TWD