This New Year’s post marks a milestone for Tarheel Ramblings…but I can’t seem to put my finger on what it is. I know it’s not my blogoversary, because I celebrated that back in October. It’s not my birthday, that comes a little later in the year. And I know it’s got something to do with my involvement in blogging. But I’ll be darned if I can remember what it is. Maybe if I just write long enough on this New Year’s entry it will come to me…so hang in there.
2008 has been an interesting year, to say the least. Last winter, I had a thought that I would enjoy getting out and camping again, so I bought a tent and went with a group to Boone, North Carolina, over Memorial Day weekend. The best part of that experience was being able to take a lot of really cool photographs that I have used in my posts since that experience. In fact, there were several camping trips over the summer, each one resulting in more photographs.
After that first trip to Boone, I came to a very quick conclusion that I was probably getting a little old to be
sleeping on the ground in a tent. So, I started watching Craig’s List for a camper that I might be able to afford. I finally spotted an older pop-up camper and asked my wife if she thought we could swing that. Her immediate response was to ask me if I didn’t want something a little more substantial, so long story short, I ended up with a little self-contained camper that has turned out to be perfect for my needs. Now if I could just get Mrs. Rambler a little more interested in joining me.
Now this is starting to bug me…I wish I could remember what in the world that important milestone is. It’s sitting right there on the tip of my brain and I feel almost like I could slap myself on the back of the head and I would remember what it was. But on the other hand, if I do that probably all I’ll end up with is a headache. Anyway, on with the reflection on the year just ended…
2008 has been a very interesting year from an all around “life in the United States” point-of-view. Essentially, the economy went to hades in a hand-basket, millions of people lost their jobs, we elected the first President of the United States who is an African American, and we saw the Republican Party nominate their first female candidate for the office of Vice President. I’ll leave the discussion of qualifications in both cases to other pundits. I spent quite a few lines of comments expressing my views on the election, the economy, Â and the state of the world in general. I would surmise that I am not alone in blogging on those topics and lamenting the current state of affairs.
In the course of the past year I have also  expounded and reflected on my own human condition. I have waxed poetic about changes I would like to make in how I interact with others, and how I let things stress me out. Truth be known, if I had my own way I would probably just accept the fact that I’m a crusty old curmudgeon and go with that. Accepting that fact would fit right in with another first experienced in 2008, which was attending my first NASCAR race in Louden, New Hampshire in September…and of course there was being able to hold Miss Lilly for the very first time.
Now, if I could only remember what the deal is with the important milestone. I know it’s pretty special, and I remember thinking that it was cool that my first post for 2009 was going to coincide with that milestone. I also know that it’s not the number of comments on this blog, but that is getting very close to 2500, with a pretty good likelihood that we’ll reach that milestone int he next few days. But number of comments is not what I’ve got buzzing around in my head.
Oh well, I’m sure I’ll think of it sometime before my next post. Let’s hope that the new year is filled with interesting things to post about, outstanding photographic opportunities, and current events that are remarkable in that events are positive instead of negative. In the meantime, I’ll keep racking my brain until I remember what that milestone is.
New Year’s Day Update
Jaffer, over at ManiaRavings has honored my by giving me the Fabulous Blog Award as my first recognition for 2009. I would say that’s a good way to start a new year. Now, if I could just remember what that milestone thing is…
According to the rules for this award, as listed by Awake in Rochester, who gave the award to Jaffer, my five addictions are as follows (in no particular order):
- Photography
- Blogging
- Electronic Toys
- Reading
- Napping
I am passing this award on to the following five blogs/bloggers:
Best of The Rambler