I consider 2001 a fairly bad year, not because I spent much of it being actively
miserable (this unemployment thing wouldn't be bad at all, if only they paid you
for it), but because two major Bad Things happened and there were no major life-
changing Good Things to counterbalance them.
As someone pointed out
to me last night, though, the only thing worse than job misery is bad
relationships, and really, all of mine seem to be in decent shape. There were lots
and lots of other good things happening, and I would be remiss if I didn't mention
them: blossoming friendships both online and out in the world, chances to visit
family, in-the-flesh meetings with some of those online friends, and even a
savings account holding out much better than anticipated.
And there
are all the continued good things that are so easy to overlook because nothing has
changed: Rudder, the continued health of all of us including the aging kitties,
people who seem pleased to hear from me, my e-mail lists where I can discuss odd
interests with people who understand, these diaries providing peeks into other
people's lives and thoughts, food, clothing, and shelter (growing up in a small
rowhouse with only one bathroom makes one thankful for room to spread out and
*three* baths and while no one will ever call me a fashion leader, I do have
enough clothes that I won't have to worry about shopping until I can afford to),
enough qualifications and determination to be sure that *someday* I'll be employed
again. And so on.
My hopes for 2002 for myself include more of the
same (especially the 'friends part'), plus a new job. My ideal job is mentally
challenging, busy, varied, with cool co-workers, a 40-hour week at least most of
the time, and, while we're talking about ideals, three or four weeks' vacation and
an office instead of a cubicle. Oh, yes, and lots of pay. And, again ideally, work
that I can think is actually doing some good to the world. And a good bit of
independence. And a short commute.
I'd also like the chance to do
more traveling than I have this year, and maybe even renovate the house a bit,
and, again ideally, some prospect of moving to a place with cooler weather but
still lots of outdoor sports. I really can't think of much else I want that I
don't have. I suppose that proves how lucky I am, that I don't need major changes
even after a bad year.
For the world, of course, I'd like for peace
and freedom to become more widespread, along with enough prosperity to allow more
of the population to stop thinking about the next meal or the latest epidemic and
start thinking about more abstract ideas. Like peace, and freedom. And, of course,
the pursuit of happiness.
And for all of you out there, I wish that
your own pursuits of happiness, prosperity, and love may be well-rewarded in the
coming year.