h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

2006 was an interesting year. Wouldn't trade it for the world, though I hope that a few of the unpleasantnesses can lead to better wisdom for the future.

2007 started at a party in the company of a group of friends that didn't really exist earlier than six months ago. A party dedicated to ringing in 1987 (we're about two decades late on the whole party scene, it seems.) Naturally, the hosts provided access to their NES to mark the occasion (I'm better at playing Super Mario Bros. now than I was over a decade ago the last time I tried it, which came as a total surprise.) We also played the 1980's version of Trivial Pursuit, and would have watched The Princess Bride (which came out in 1987), but the power went off for about an hour an a half.

So here's to new friends with similar interests.

2007 also says a strange kind of goodbye to someone that, while he's not a friend, is certainly someone that I've always enjoyed the constant presence of. Bill Watterson, the cartoonist who provides Foxtrot for us, has decided to stop making Foxtrot dailies, and is instead turning to only publishing on Sundays. Foxtrot was the last real pleasure in the daily comic strip page for me. Dilbert manages to maintain its status quo, but I think that it's glory days are behind it. Garfield is good for an occasional chuckle, but I think Jim Davis' spark of brilliance isn't as consistant as it used to be (and considering the fact that he could probably retire and never work again with the money that Garfield has made, I think he's only continuing to publish his work for our sake at this point.) So with Foxtrot leaving, I think that 2007 will be a strong year for webcomics.

I know I go crazy where webcomics are concerned, but I wouldn't be surprised if something special happened where they're concerned. This may be the last year where you can read webcomics before they stop existing as the "underground" phenomenon that they are.

Which is good because the talented webcomic artists can get more money from their work. Which is bad because everyone with colored pencils and a scanner will say "Hey, I should start a webcomic!" Some very interesting times ahead.

I should make some resolutions for the new year. I need to become more consistant with my writing. So I should probably resolve to set up some definite writing patterns while I'm still in college. I should also resolve to send more stories to magazines. And to write more scripts for the Dagger Wind plays, two isn't enough.

And maybe I should resolve to do my homework more consistantly. I mean, it's my last semester at the university (hopefully.) When am I going to get homework again? I mean, apart from grad school?

Affy! What a momentous occasion it must have been to ring in the New Year with such verve and sentiment.

In order to commemorate the event and to provide impetus for your more consistent writing output, please accept this fine pen and pencil set made of teak wood. They should last a lifetime, as it is a very robust wood. The gold accents of the clip, the tip, the central ring, and the clicker thing will maintain their gloss and sparkle indefinitely. Along with the set you'll find a rectangular dual stand of cocobolo wood, beveled at a 42-degree angle. The whole block is rimmed with an inlaid translucent trim that seems to pulse and sparkle with latent energy. The holders for the pen and the pencil are hollow crystals set perpendicularly into the wood face. Written in myria-color adamantium, one line across the top and one line across the bottom, is the logo “Crater Labs, Inc. – Where Anything Can Happen, and Usually Does.” In the center of the display, is a miniature diorama featuring two gold pocket watches, opened partway. From each emerges a small figure bearing a striking resemblance to the recipient of the gift--Affy. The figure on the left is stepping forth, evidently in a hurry and heedless of what’s before him. The figure on the right has stepped out of the shelter of his watch, but has drawn up short with a surprised expression on his face at the sight of his doppelganger.

Beside the writing implements lies a leather-bound book that, though it is newly fashioned, seems to show hints it has existed for more years than can be reckoned. The page edges are gilt with gold, and the spine is likewise stamped with a rather cryptic title, “Ages Without End.” Opening it, you discover all the pages are blank, save the first and second. The texture of the pages isn’t exactly paper and it doesn’t rightly resemble vellum. This is a tome fashioned by a master craftsman and if you look closely at the inner leaf you’ll notice the signature of one known as Atrus penned in the lower right. The second page holds an odd rectangular, indistinct picture in its upper half; a picture so hazy and vague you’re not sure if it depicts a forest, a sea, a mountain, or clouds. As you pass your fingers across it, it emanates a subtle vibration, both audible and tangible. The possibility there is some unspoken adventure yet to be written within leaps into your mind. Yes, this book will be opened and used more than it lies dormant and closed.

B4wefindtheendinghasnotyetbeenwritten

Affy, I hope you have a fabulous 2007.

What a cool concept for a New Year's party. I kinda want to rip it off. Guess I have about 363 days to wait ...

Happy New Year, Affy.

Affy -- grad school for you on the horizon? What will you study?

If I go to grad school, it'll be to study creative writing.

Sweet! Good for you! Will you go for a teacher's assistantship, get some teaching experience, maybe become a teacher yourself?

I'd either be a good teacher or a terrible one. I'm not sure.

Long story short, too much to think about. Just got a weird email saying that they're taking away a scholarship due to one of their own snafus that's based on one of their own arbitrary decisions earlier. So I'm going to be making phone calls tomorrow to settle that.