Austin, TEXAS, December 31, 2005 — It's just one tick of the clock. Just like any other. We honor days on the calendar in an annual fashion all the time, but this one doesn't even have a person's (or messiah's) birth associated with it or a treaty or even an arbitrary day set aside to remember something each year. It's just the last digit of the year turning over. Ho hum.

We have gone to elaborate affairs with fancy food, real champagne, dancing, everyone in black tie gear. And I'm sure we have sat home quietly, too. We have gone

to parties for the last three years at someone's house. Less elaborate things, but parties none the less.

Tonight we haven't a party. We told three people they could happen by if they liked. One gave an assured 'yes' and said he would bring a sweet potato pie. One found more exciting revelry. One was a 'maybe.'

Both yes and maybe did come by. Maybe saw a movie first so it was getting late. When the clock ticked into 2006 (Central Time) we barely noticed it. We'd already had a drink or two. I considered getting out some sparkling juice but it seemed to be too much effort. FFP might have been dozing.

Another day. Another year. Another tick tock. Celebrating a new year is a superstitious thing in a very pagan way, I think. Like this order we've imposed on time passing is significant. Maybe that's it...we are celebrating man's conquering time. Celebrating our ability to distinguish one moment from another, one day from the next. Celebrating everything we know about time. Toasting our cleverness at keeping things orderly even if we have to add a second now and then.

Suddenly it's tomorrow. And tomorrow is always a disappointment. But especially New Year's Day. The year is all promise and resolve. And you stay up too late the night before and waste the first day of it.