All is quiet on New Year's Day

This picture of me was taken just a few hours ago, on a spectacularly warm and sunny January 1, 2007 in San Francisco. It's a little hazy in the City by the Bay today, but that's the Golden Gate Bridge behind me.

Go ahead and click on the photo to make it bigger. See it now?

And where was that picture taken? the astute Gentle Reader asks. Why, on the rooftop of Jack's apartment building, replies your humble narrator. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.

I've learned many things during the past twenty-four hours; the streets of San Francisco are becoming familiar to me, at least the ones in North Beach and Chinatown are. There's a jukebox — a real jukebox, with records, at Tosca. You can smoke at Bow Bow in Chinatown. And there's a bartender named Mike at Vesuvio who, if he places a fresh pint in front of the handsome gentleman you are with, even though it is long past last call, and neglects to place one in front of you, erroneously believing that you will be unable to consume it in the fifteen minutes that remain before all alcohol must be cleared from the bar, and if this error is politely but firmly brought to his attention, the beer that he will then quickly place before you will be free.

San Francisco is the best thing about living in San Jose.

I'm back home, now, and Pinky is sitting in my lap as I write. I'm wondering if I should make a New Year's resolution. I hesitate to do so, and rarely have done, because I've always had a problem with promises, both the giving and receiving of them, and a resolution is just a promise by another name. Though two years ago I did resolve to go about less carelessly.

Perhaps I'll just set some New Year's goals instead. I can think of one, after seeing that photo of me.

Here they are, Postmodern Sass's New Year's resolutions goals for 2007:

1. Lose ten pounds
2. Finish unpacking
3. Publish a paper in an academic journal
4. Go on a date with Gavin Newsom
5. Be nominated for a Bloggie

You'll notice I've run the gamut from sacred to profane. That old chestnut, lose weight. Yes, I know, if I put my mind to it I can certainly do that. Perhaps I'll try the Duck Diet. Number two also requires nothing more than determination and fortitude, and the ability to brave discoveries of once-favoured clothing that no longer fits, half-finished knitting projects, and Valentine's cards from X.

Number three is just plain boring, so I won't discuss it. Besides, I know you're wondering about number four.

Maybe it's completely crazy, I'll grant you that, but I've seen crazier things happen. Like me moving to California, for example. Never would have called that one this time last year. Never would have imagined it. And yet, here I am. Besides, one of the first things I learned when I came here last April to check things out is, the mayor of San Francisco is hot. I won't lie: it's one of the reasons why I decided to take the job at USJ and move to the Bay Area. OK, so that's a lie. But it could be true!

Number five, I leave to you, Gentle Reader. The nominations for the 2007 Bloggie awards are now open. You do not need to be a blogger to vote — I tell you this, because I know many of you are not bloggers yourselves.

Me, I especially like the sound of "Best-kept secret weblog." I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.

Click here to cast your votes for your favourite blogs.

A new year calls for a new look. Postmodern Sass turns purple.