Well it's New Year's Eve. This can only indicate one thing: It's time to worry about a certain irritating family member inviting himself to our party. This happens every year, and we were only successful last year because my brother told him point blank that he was not invited. This year the partay is at my other brother's house, so it's up to him really. But let me tell you, I've made my point abundantly clear that I do not wish for this person to be in attendance. What will I do if he shows up?

Nothing.

Because I'm passive aggressive like the rest of my family. That's why it was such a victory last year when my brother just told him, "No".

I'm feeling compelled to look back at the past year. Why? Because I'm a fucking lemming. 'Tis the season for sappy retrospectives.

This year marks the beginning of my independence. I moved out in March, and while I still can't afford to do laundry at the laundromat, I feel good about my new life. It's not a whole hell of a lot different than my old one, but it's now contained in an apartment that is half mine, and that feels nice.

I've also accepted this year that I am not the smartest person on the face of the earth. My grades this semester prove that. The C+ I received in Chemistry made me yell, "Woo Hoo!" In high school, I would have been crying. But now I realize that maybe I'm not great at everything. It's not a terrible spot to be in. It gives me room to think, "Hey, I'm pretty shitty at this by nature, but I'm a good learner." I may take that class over again, and try for an A. We'll see.

This year marked the largest obsession I've ever had. It still shows no signs of dying down. As we speak, I'm contemplating asking my Dad to tape New Year's Rockin' Eve and MTV's New Year's Special tonight. I am fighting the urge because I've grown to trust the United Clay Nations' ability to come up with goods FAST. Clay does have the best fans in the world, we are smart and technologically savvy, and willing to distribute copyrighted television shows on the internet.

I've delved into the world of internet friendships, and I have to say I'm pleased. I've formed no less than 15 online friendships. I've met a few of them in person, and they are who they are online. This has restored some faith in humanity for me. Not a lot, but some.

So all in all, it's been a good year. An educational one.

Happy New Year all you fucks!

Love,