[grellis]

Good morning, gentlemen!

[fish hawk]

Today is my daughters birthday. It brings back a couple of memories like this: When my wife went into labor with her all my friends said, "wont it be cool to have the first baby of the New Year." I said, "No, I want the last baby of the old year. Why? because I got to claim her on my taxes for the whole year even though she was born on the last day.

Also the night she was born the Hospital kicked me out at 8 O'clock so I went to a bar where my friends hung out and celebrated the New Year with them. Their wives were upset that I would go out while my wife was in the hospital with a new baby. I told them that I stayed with her until the hospital kicked me out, so you want me to go home and go to bed on New Years!! Silly story but true.

[BibChr]

Single most harrowing event that stands out of this year was the presidential election! I cared, and was scared. Now I'm terribly grateful to God's graciousness towards and undeserving America, yet again.

I wish I had good New Year's traditions. I don't. We have a huge pile of delightful Christmas traditions, are developing Easter traditions... but just about no NY traditions. I meant to do a personal getaway, try to formulate some goals so my fiftieth year closes less painfully than it might (i.e. with some illusion of accomplishment). For the first time ever, I think, I've even been considering a resolution or two, a la Jonathan Edwards' Resolutions. But I'm too indecisive and domesticated, though my wife very nicely encouraged me. So we're going to play some Lord of the Rings type board game (I don't like board games), and... no other plan.

Dan

Dan