Dear 2010,
You have (in your first four days) brought wonderful new friends (care of an evening dancing it up at Town Danceboutique, which I had forgotten how much I love), a new favorite brunch spot ($2 mimosas at The Red Derby? Yes. Please.), one of the best concerts I have been to in years (Gogol Bordello‘s last night – of 3 – at the 9:30 Club), and a surprising amount of optimism for where I go from here.

Thank you, so far, 2010, for being the best year of my life. Though, I have to say, I have high expectations for you. It will be hard to live up to what I have in mind for the next 361 days, so I should warn you now.

I am planning to quit smoking. To work hard here at At Limbo. To hit the road a lot (first up? Orlando, Daytona, and Myrtle Beach in the next five weeks). I plan to sleep more (per commenter RC’s suggestion), and make my house a home.

I plan to take risks on people again (something I’ve been unwilling & unable to do in too long). I’m going to learn to cook (simple fare, but cooking nonetheless!). I’d like to spend Christmas in Ireland with my dear, long distance friend Syven. I will see two of my closest friends come home safely from military service abroad (and, 2010, just so you know, this one, this goal right here is non-negotiable).

I will see so many concerts I might even get tired of it at one point or another, and I will meet more musicians and awesome artists. Not only will I excel not only as a writer, friend, researcher, and fan, but I will be more involved than ever come the GOP’s midterm elections this Fall.

Come to think of it – I will not back down from a challenge. I will tell my loved ones every opportunity that they are exactly that – loved.

I will not let my determination falter, my hope be extinguished, or my faith waiver. Yes, 2010, you’ve got your work cut out for you (myself as well), because this year is going to be a good one. This year is going to have more laughter than any other, more smiling than crying, more friends and family than drama or “frenemies”. I hope you know how to roll up your sleeves, 2010, because we’ve got so much to do, and only 12 months to do it in.

Are you Ready? I know I am.
Love,
Limbo

“Drop the last year into the silent Limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.” — Brooks Atkinson

To everyone who might have the same aspirations or completely different hopes or no resolutions at all – Happy New Year, let’s just say we all toasted at midnight, eh?