Big Lizards:Blog:Entry “Happy New Year...”

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January 1, 2007

Happy New Year...

Hatched by Dafydd

...For those of you who elected a new year this time.

I've been trying out used (or rather, "pre-lived") years instead the last few New Years'; they're loads cheaper, and you know how they'll turn out. 1969 is a popular one, But a lot of folks seem to prefer 1955 or 1956 (take your pick).

The problem with new years is that it takes a while for the sharp edges to wear off. The pre-lived ones are comfortable and pre-fatigued, like old shoes. Of course, if you've got hold of someone else's old shoes, they can pinch like the dickens; and the same is true for a pre-lived year that doesn't ring true.

Thoughts to bear in mind when selecting your pre-lived years (I'm reading this out of the catalog, as I haven't the faintest idea about the subject myself):

You're not restricted to years subsequent to your own birth; it's perfectly permitted (except in Kansas) to select a year from before you were born.

You cannot mix and match pieces of pre-lived years: it's all or nothing, baby. If you pick some year that has a bad monsoon season, you can't return it when you get soaking wet.

Read your history carefully: stay away from obvious klinkers -- 1917, 1350, 1492 (if you're Jewish. Or Mayan), and 1976.

Obscure years can be every bit as interesting as 1812 or 1066, but at a fraction the cost! I was able to get 1760 for a wing and a song once; it was child's play to make my way to William & Mary College and spend some time with Thomas Jefferson (he called me "squatty;" to this day, I've never quite understood why).

Don't forget, transportation can be a problem. If you select any pre-lived year prior to 1910, be prepared to wait a long time for the bus.

Finally, I understand that package deals will soon be available that include future years, for those of you who want a preview of what is to come. Save your shillings and pence!

But for dyed-in-the-cheese traditionalists who want to stick with the old-fashioned model of an actual new year for New Year's, Merry New Year, and I hope it works out for you.

Hatched by Dafydd on this day, January 1, 2007, at the time of 1:13 AM

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Comments

The following hissed in response by: Mr. Michael

I've read up on a bunch of the 'classic' or 'well loved' years ( I just call 'em 'used years', but the salesmen go ape.) And while some of them look nice from a distance, there are just too many which are klinkers for folks in my position.

Now the New Years... here's some opportunity. If you plan ahead, a person like myself can 'upgrade' positions into those being abandoned by folks going for the 'classic year' angle. For example, lots of political Lefties are buying into the late '60s program, lots of Righties are snapping up openings on the '80s track... and this leaves open the positions they would have taken in '007. I've tried to swing a deal for a more lucrative position in '007 by taking over one of those that were abandoned. I'm a little nervous; I can't afford to go with a 'first class' agent, so I got mine off the 'net. Saved a ton of money, but there's a hefty restocking fee, and a TON of red tape for returns. Wish me luck.

In the meantime, I wish you well in yours, hope you did your research well, and extend my well wishes to the entire Big Lizards nest!

Mr. Michael

The above hissed in response by: Mr. Michael at January 1, 2007 9:52 AM

The following hissed in response by: nk

Ahh, if only we were gods.

How does that go?

The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.

In any event, Happy New Year, again, Dafydd.

The above hissed in response by: nk at January 1, 2007 1:13 PM

The following hissed in response by: Texas Jack

Dafydd, at first I thought you'd lost the last of your marbles, but then the idea caught me; there _were_ some great years back then. I really liked 1940 (I got born), 1956 (all-state symphony), repeat in '57, basic training in '59 (yes, it was fun. Hard, but fun.) First year in a real laboratory in 1964, Private licence (VFR, single engine, land) in '72, commercial and multi-engine the next year, then - Thanks, Dafydd. You made me go back and remember some really good times. That gift is very much appreciated, as are you and your ability to put words and ideas together, here or on paper. You have given this old man many hours of good reading. Happy new (or used) year!

The above hissed in response by: Texas Jack at January 1, 2007 2:04 PM

The following hissed in response by: brutepcm

Not much call for anything between '73 and '80 I'll bet. We had wage&price controls, shortages, hostages in Iran, high unemployment, interest rates,& inflation, Jimmah, really awful cars, clothes, & interior decoration (See Lileks) and the Bee Gees.
and then we voted...

The above hissed in response by: brutepcm at January 2, 2007 5:38 AM