The tree has been decorated, cookies have been baked, the cash spent and gifts wrapped. Another Christmas has come and gone and like other years, despite what state my life is in, I was determined to spend it just the way I have almost my entire life.

I did and it was the same - for the most part. As I get older and things change, I have been learning and trying to put anything that doesn't seem to fit out the door. Do I always do it? No. Do I for sure make an attempt? Hell yes! Am I successful all the time?? The jury is still out.

Ok, so now Santa is another year older, a few more pounds have been added to everyones frame and the 'once a year' china has been packed away not to be seen again for 12 months.

That leaves only one thing . . NEW YEARS!

Last year at just about this time, I was standing in a bar visiting a friend of mine who was playing with his band. In an effort to not concentrate on the mess that was my 2009, I watched as the clock counted down the minutes (then seconds) until 2010. In that time, I made small talk with the bartender even offering to be his help and poured the champagne that was inhaled just a few minutes later. I had such high hopes for the next 12 months.

Now I think that was the alcohol talking.

So, here I am one year later only this time, I have learned a lesson - forgo the hope and just do. Spending too much time on this 'hope' thing seems to take away from the doing and earning. The happening and being. The must and as is.

I decided this year, as I plan to watch the clock count down to the last seconds of 2010, I am just going to smile. Not hope, not plan, not anything. Basically, I am going to wrap up 2010 with a happy thought and open up 2011 with the same thought.

I will just be for the time being. Here's hopin'.

Happy Fuckin' New Year.