Happy New Year

by Jim McLennan on Jan 1, 2009 2:00 AM EST Comment 50 comments

Welcome to 2009, folks [assuming the 'Set Publish Date' feature of the site works as it should, and I don't get confused between 12:00 am and 12 pm]. As you read these words, I'll be working the door at our New Year's Party, which should be fun - if, perhaps, a little chilly. Going to have taken the light-rail over there after work, so that'll be an experience in itself. It'll quite take me back to the olden days, when I'd commute 40 minutes each way on the train, up to London Bridge [note: the real one, not the one now lurking in Lake Havasu!], pressed against a sweaty mass of humanity, trying to avoid any kind of eye-contact. Memories...

I don't think, personally, that 2008 will go down as being an all-around fabulous year. It had its moments, to be sure, but on a variety of levels, it was no classic. The damp squib which was the Diamondbacks' season after April, was certainly part of this, but all told, the year seemed a lot more of a slog than anything else. Be quite glad to see the back of it, and I'm optimistic that 2009 will be a good deal better. Here's to the Diamondbacks regain the NL West title, of course.

Best wishes to everyone out there for the coming year. What were we all up to on New Year's Eve? Any final thoughts on 2008? Expectations for 2009? Suspect we'll likely be surfacing late tomorrow, but unlike Christmas, I don't have to work, so that's a relief. I'll get to ease gently into the new year...well, as soon as I get to bed, and I don't think that will likely be any time soon.

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Happy

birthday to me!

You keep on rowin', and I'll keep on smilin'.

by soco on Jan 1, 2009 2:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Salud!

Many Happy Returns!

If you make every game a life-and-death thing, you're going to have problems. You'll be dead a lot.

by unnamedDBacksfan on Jan 1, 2009 2:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Na zdorovje

From the Russian for cheers.

by Captain D Bag on Jan 1, 2009 3:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Last night was New Years?

I just thought everybody celebrated you being born. ;)

In other news, SO SOON TO OPENING DAY! WHEE!

You keep on rowin', and I'll keep on smilin'.

by soco on Jan 1, 2009 10:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I was celebrating the day you were born

And the day we got Rock Band. ;)

That Greenie is SO HOT right now.

by mrssoco on Jan 2, 2009 12:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

As far as being in a rock-band goes, you certainly have good experience of hurling television sets about.

What, too soon? :-)

by Jim McLennan on Jan 2, 2009 12:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

All in the past

My wicked awesome friends mounted the TV back where it was and basically wall mounted it with an inch of his life. (Something like 400 lbs could hang off it and our 50 pound TV is all safe and sound.)

Also, IT WAS FINE. SEe you are invited to Mark Reynold’s 26th birthday.

(Who am I kidding, you are! I will even bring your favorite beer!)

That Greenie is SO HOT right now.

by mrssoco on Jan 2, 2009 1:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jim, that's not funny.

A television DIED over that.

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 2, 2009 4:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You weren't even there

mang.

You keep on rowin', and I'll keep on smilin'.

by soco on Jan 2, 2009 8:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I know.

But I’ve dedicated myself to preserving the legend, nay, the myth, of the mrssoco-smash.

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 6, 2009 3:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hardly, dude

That was one bad-ass television. It just kept on working.

"That's a cop-out, and you know it, and it breaks my heart into a thousand pieces that we ain't gonna save America with your blog today."

by kishi on Jan 2, 2009 10:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

At least you've got your priorities right.

Rock Band comes before most other things.

by Azreous on Jan 2, 2009 11:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wait a second

this wasn’t me?

You keep on rowin', and I'll keep on smilin'.

by soco on Jan 2, 2009 8:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I was amused as well,

at the way your wife seems to have handle-jacked you.

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 6, 2009 3:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow. Waaaay

to publicize it, you attention-hogging bastard. I don’t remember the ’Pit ever celebrating MY birthday, on February 11th.

(That’s February 11. 2/11 if you will; if you want to get more specific, it’s 2/11/85. Anyway, my birthday is February 11th. Write it down.)

;-)

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 2, 2009 3:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's

because you smell.

You keep on rowin', and I'll keep on smilin'.

by soco on Jan 2, 2009 8:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't blame ME

for having a functional olfactory system.

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 6, 2009 3:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey.

That’s a month before my birthday.

That’s right, kids. One month.

by Azreous on Jan 2, 2009 11:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wait --

you mean your birthday is exactly one month AFTER mine, on February 11th?

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 6, 2009 3:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep.

March 11.

by Azreous on Jan 7, 2009 12:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Indeed.

That is exactly one month after my birthday — 2/11.

(I think I’ve made my point)

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 7, 2009 10:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Happy New Year!

Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!

Glückliches neues Jahr!

Καλή χρονιά!

С новым годом!

Ano novo feliz!

¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

Whatever your language, make it a good one!

If you make every game a life-and-death thing, you're going to have problems. You'll be dead a lot.

by unnamedDBacksfan on Jan 1, 2009 2:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Feliz Ano Novo!

Wikipedia is accurate. (citation needed)

by Muu on Jan 1, 2009 4:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Used Babel

should have figured word order would be the same. It’s a romance language as spanish is..

Hope all is well with you!

If you make every game a life-and-death thing, you're going to have problems. You'll be dead a lot.

by unnamedDBacksfan on Jan 2, 2009 12:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Happy New Year, Pit

I got about another month before my eyes turn to the D-Backs, Fantasy baseball, and away from this re-donk-ulous hot stove to the real thing. And three cheers for more Snake Pitfests!

by Captain D Bag on Jan 1, 2009 3:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

cheers!

"There are only two seasons: winter and baseball"
-- Bill Veeck

by njjohn on Jan 1, 2009 2:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Happy New Year!!

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 1, 2009 3:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

On behalf of trolls - or those perceived as such -

A prosperous and exciting New Year to all who contend in the NL West TempestTeapot , and to all who passionately exhort them on both physically and virtually!

Who has the fun?
Is it always the man with the gun?
- The Stranglers

by victor frankenstein on Jan 1, 2009 4:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Have you given up that

puttputt trolling motor car in favor of light rail?

Happy New Year!

If you make every game a life-and-death thing, you're going to have problems. You'll be dead a lot.

by unnamedDBacksfan on Jan 1, 2009 4:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

rowrowrow (cutbacks , dontchaknow)

Don’t you drink the AzCentral koolaid? Light rail goes nowhere!

And when you consider the two end destinations there’s some merit to that.

Who has the fun?
Is it always the man with the gun?
- The Stranglers

by victor frankenstein on Jan 1, 2009 6:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ROFL....

Sorry, I laugh uncontrollably at any mentions of “Row Row Row Your Boat”. Old inside joke from my fraternity.

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 1, 2009 7:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll use it on occasion.

and who knows? Maybe 19th and Bethany will become the Hip Spot to be seen…

If you make every game a life-and-death thing, you're going to have problems. You'll be dead a lot.

by unnamedDBacksfan on Jan 2, 2009 12:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The western segment

seems like a read dud, at least until they can build it out further, to justify commuters getting out of their car (bus) and transfering to a train downtown (ie it’s so close to downtown one might as well stay in your car (bus) for the whole trip.

The eastern segment has alot more potential. Serious destinations east of downtown in Tempe/ASU and (potentially) Sky Harbor. And more people who live farther out, eager to avoid thirteen miles on US60 & the 202 every rush hr. And of course trains are perfect for big overflow events/festivals, for which Tempe is justly famous.

Thank you for letting me talk

by Diamondhacks on Jan 3, 2009 1:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I used it today

to go visit someone uptown. Parked at Apache and Dorsey and about 30 minutes later i was at Campbell and Central. The airport looks to be a real popular stop on both trips as does Mill Avenue. I think we are still in the “I want to ride from end to end” stage. The trip east was packed.

If you make every game a life-and-death thing, you're going to have problems. You'll be dead a lot.

by unnamedDBacksfan on Jan 3, 2009 2:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cool

I didnt mean to suggest the line north ot town was completely useless. In your case, or if you live on Central, for example, I imagine it’s pretty dang nice.

I just meant it seems to have rather limited utility for folks North and West (like me ’n Kishi) looking to go downtown. More limited than I anticipated, anyway, until I actually parked, waited on the platform, and took the train south – stopping not just at all the appropriate stations but at several red lights as well.

I voted for light rail and think it has community merits – going to ballgames via public transport, for example, is undeniably fun for folks of all ages. My initial impression, however, is that light rail doesnt particularly benefit me. Indeed, it appears to be a net inconvenience, seeing as there used to be a bus, the Blue Line, that stopped a hundred yards from my house near SR51 and Glendale Ave that ferried me straight downtown via Central – that line has been circumsized in “favor” of light rail.

Ouch.

Thank you for letting me talk

by Diamondhacks on Jan 3, 2009 11:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Used to take the Blue Line too

I guess you know it is still active, and has simply been renamed? It’s now Route 39, but does now stop at Central to link up with the rail, which I’m guessing is what you mean by “circumcised”. Admittedly, the short version is less use for you than me, who’s up by PV Mall. I note that I would have to pay twice to get downtown, once for the bus and then again for the light rail. But at least gas is back to $1.50, so a large part of the impetus for public transport has been removed, for the moment.

I’m with you on the ’doesn’t particularly benefit me’ thing with light rail, but we are looking to move, and the rail routes are definitely factoring into consideration, with Tempe looking particularly good. This would, of course, lead to my membership in the ‘wine and cheese set’ being revoked. :-)

by Jim McLennan on Jan 4, 2009 12:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll be boycotting the so called '39'

until the usurpers restore its rightful name and color: The Blue Line.

God knows, we have so few traditions left in this town.

P.S. – Your activated $2.50 bus fare card s/b also valid on the train – at least until they raise the $ of rail :-)

Thank you for letting me talk

by Diamondhacks on Jan 4, 2009 4:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, the "western" segment is a waste until they extend it

Google Maps tells me it’s a 41 minute drive to Chase Field from my house, and a 40 minute drive to the closest light rail station. Sure, it’s about seven miles closer, but I can drive to Chase almost all on freeways.

What would make the light rail a lot more useful is if they’d extend it out along Bethany Home to the Cardinals Stadium. They’re probably get more traffic for games that way.

"That's a cop-out, and you know it, and it breaks my heart into a thousand pieces that we ain't gonna save America with your blog today."

by kishi on Jan 3, 2009 10:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What would also make it more useful

would be for gas prices to go up again.

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 6, 2009 3:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ask, and ye shall receive...

Gas prices not expected to stay cheap for long

by Jim McLennan on Jan 7, 2009 12:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Damn.

Better fill up my 1 gallon emergency tank — gotta take advantage of the cheap prices.

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 7, 2009 10:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

wo hoo

Happy new year! ^^

well, I hope I can finally gaduate and find a job =]
about the dbacks, I hope we play a little better than we did last year, that should be enough to compete for a postseason spot

Wikipedia is accurate. (citation needed)

by Muu on Jan 1, 2009 4:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Happy new year

I’ve resolved to be 20% less of an a-hole

Thank you for letting me talk

by Diamondhacks on Jan 1, 2009 5:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I already resolved

to not be such a douchebag to foulpole.

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 1, 2009 6:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My general douchebaggery

should remain constant, though.

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by DbacksSkins on Jan 1, 2009 7:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Finally surfacing

We didn’t get home until almost 3am, after a fairly fun, but definitely tiring night. Though poor SnakePit Jr. was most tired of all, having been pressed into duty as an emergency server. Most amusing to see him actually needing to work hard for more than ten minutes. :-) He was clearly thinking about jacking it all in at one point, until he calculated the hourly rate he was making, including tips, was about three times what he makes at Staples. [If you’re going to work in a bar one night a year, New Year’s Eve is a good one to pick…]

We have spent most of the day in bed, watching a mix of British comedy, indie horror and Finnish drama. Eventually, however, hunger forced Mrs. SnakePit out to forage, and pasta is now being cooked. I have to keep reminding myself it’s not the Saturday it felt like this morning, or the Sunday it feels like now: back to work tomorrow, albeit only for one day!

by Jim McLennan on Jan 1, 2009 8:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs