We rang in the new year with family, the kind of friends you call family, U2, The Ramones, chocolate martinis and deep thanks for water chestnuts in Safeway’s spinach dip. So far, so good, 2009. I could have done without the glimpse of poor Dick Clark, but it was a good reminder that it’s always best to leave the party while it’s still going strong, and that we did.

Happy New Year!