Gotta feeling 2012 is gonna be a good year*

My mother always said that whatever you do on January 1st sets the tone for the rest of the year.  For years, my January 1st activities have included watching the Rose Parade, eating junk, and generally being a lazy lump.  Oh, I'd set my sights high.  "This year, I'm going to spend January 1st at the beach."  "This year, I'm going to go hiking (you know, to set the tone for more physical fitness)."  "This year, I'm going to write until the sun goes down."  Needless to say, my well-intentioned plans always ended up by the wayside, while my ass became better acquainted with my sofa.  

But not this year!  I was invited to not one, but two social gatherings for New Year's Day and, more importantly, I attended both! I talked with old friends I hadn't seen in forever.  I met new ones.  I hugged a  pit bull and a greyhound (or two) and realized that Santa's Little Helper is not drawn to scale because these dogs are large. And just to be on the safe side, I wore red underwear and ate a good-sized helping of black eyed peas. I had fun. Lots of fun.  Thus, the tone has been set.  And while I have no reason to be over optimistic, I feel good about this year.  It's been good so far.

*paraphrased from "You Didn't Hear It (1921)" from Tommy by The Who.