I never really care much when the Earth once again passes through an arbitrarily chosen point in space relative to the sun.  And the ensuing celebration of our ability to count backwards from ten immediately before counting one number higher has never really done much for me.  So it should come as no surprise to the reader that I do not care to resolve things simply because I have to buy a new calendar.  There’s nothing wrong with you if you do make such resolutions.  It just means that I’m better than you.  That’s a sarcastic joke.  I’m not sure if everyone will pick up on that without asterisks. ***.

Now, one thing that I do tend to do at this time of year is reflect on events that are related to one another only because the most significant digits in their date happen to be the same number.

March 3:  Developed a method to overcome static electricity.  Although that method seemed like too much work and I have started using Jake’s method:  bang metal stuff with your knuckles or elbow, since you don’t have very many nerve endings there to feel the shock.
April 2:  I got married.  2005 will most likely be the only year I’ll be able to say that.  So I’d say that’s pretty important.
April 3-10:  Honeymoon in Hawai’i.  The most amazing place I’ve ever been.  I’m jealous of the Lostaways, who get paid a ton of money to live and work there.  I probably won’t be back for a very very long time, if ever.
May 28:  Almost got in a fight at Carowinds.  Fortunately, we survived.
July 27:  Made a difference ...by using large cutting tools.
August 6:  We got a puppy!  It was Stephanie’s first pet ever (fish don’t count), and my first pet that was actually mine and not my parents.
September 2:  Revealed my volleyball skills.  Turns out, I’m not too good.
September 12:  We lost August.  That was definitely a growing experience.  I didn’t realize just how attached to that little puppy I had become. :(
October 4:  We got a new dog.  Punky will never replace August, but we love her just the same.
November 14:  Brought free speech to the internet.  By giving you the ability to comment on my blog posts, I empowered you in a way never before possible.  Al Gore probably never thought the internet would turn into a medium for open communication and sharing of ideas back when he invented it.
December 16:  Sustained a leg wound in The War On Christmas.  Okay I made that one up.
December 24:  Found out that I am going to be an uncle soon.  Stephanie’s older sister Emily is expecting!  If age were measured in generations rather than years, I guess this would signify that I’m about to turn one, and Steph’s parents are about to turn two.

PS: If year is a nonprimitive type with overloaded operators, ++year is more efficient than year++.  That’s also true for primitives if you’re using a terrible compiler.  :)