Happy New Year, everyone!! The party was intimate but a rousing success. Everyone pictured here, with the exception of Mr. Whirled and some significant others, has been a friend since at least 8th grade (some since kindergarten). Yay. I've known Fredbird for life, or so it feels. Side note: Boone's Farm Mango Grove? Humiliating to purchase (at $1.99 a pop); tasty down the pipe.

Late-night entertainment on the big screen thanks to Andy Samberg and JT.

I'm raising the bar this year for my reading goals to 36. Yeah, that's three a month; we'll see how this goes down. First on the list, inspired by Aaron Sorkin and Tina Fey. It is good fun but slow going so far; I'm up to about page 200, which means I've hit the Gilbert Gottfried/Joe Piscopo lean years.

I also need to watch less TV, eat less shitty food, and be less of a petty bitch. Again? We'll see.

Tomorrow we're off to NOLA to help blathering celebrate her 29th birthday. For the 12th time. Or something. Here's to the Acme Oyster Bar and Turbo Dog on draft, if I can find it.

Every Christmas I wish for nothing more than to not have to travel every weekend of my life. I just outlined my calendar for the coming year and I already have 21 away-weekends booked (out of about 52). This is before random and unexpected family-related events are thrown into the mix. Many of these are fun things (weddings, showers, various adventures), but for Christ's sake. No wonder I'm always so tired.