The world, or at least the History Channel, is talking about the coming chaos of 2012. I, however, would like to focus for a moment on the chaos of 2008.

I am not sure if the planets were aligned in some fateful way or if the Aztecs predicted it, but 2008 was a year that had all of the earmarks of a catastrophe.

For the record, I hated 2008.  

OK, to be fair, some good things did happen.  I started a wonderful graduate program. I freelanced. I met many new friends while working as a drama teacher. I had some really fun times with friends and family.  

Beyond that,  2008 was a running gag of tragedy.

My grandmother died.  I was fired. I went on unemployment.  I had to make a lot of tough decisions about career and future. My cat died.  My dog died.  Several of my friends had family members die.  Friends broke up.  Other people I know lost their jobs.  The list goes on and on and rolls across the ground until it disappears in the horizon -- where it probably catches fire and burns my house down.

When all was totaled, 2008 had the most kick you to the ground and spit on you moments of any year I have lived thus far -- unless '83 was a really bad year, and I just don't remember.

I don't list all of these things to evoke sympathy from people. I point them out to say that when most people were simply blowing horns and getting drunk at midnight on December 31, 2008, I was breathing a sigh of relief.  It was as if a black cloud that had been lingering had finally passed over.

I do not know if 2009 will be the best year ever. I do not think that absolutely nothing bad will happen this year.  I just want to know that it will be better. That it will be a little step up.

Come on '09.  We're pals, right?