Happy New Year!!!

It's 2009!  Hooray!!!  

Resolutions are so cliche that I don't even feel like doing any.  Its like the only reason people have them is to let other people know about them.  It is the one time to impress others with your own personal objectives.  So you better make them good ones.  How can I make my resolutions interesting enough to make people go, "Wow, I actually believe that person when they say this.  I hope they go through with it.  I'm rooting for them."  Of course, resolutions are things that people should be doing for themselves on a daily basis.  "I will NOT eat any more skittles today."  

In a sense, resolutions are a lot like blogs.  People only create them so other people can read them.  In the end, it's for your own personal pleasure.  

So, with that said, here are a few reasons Why I Am Excited About 2009:

• FAMILY

I love them dearly.  Last year was wonderful.  Our first full year in our new house.  Collin going through kindergarten.  Lisa loving her job.  Me not being a slob.

• SCHOOL

This spring semester will be the last of all my prerequisites.  The following semester I will begin the Graphic Design two-year program. One small step closer to a Associates Degree, which will then be another step closer to me obtaining a real job for the first time.

• SECOND SATURDAYS

Ed Doris and I have put together, what we feel is, a enormous variety of improv comedy shows on the second Saturday of every month. (Here's a link to the schedule)  What started out as just a way to figure out how the Trip Fives can do more shows on a regular basis, has grown into a full production of improv comedy.  And just about every troupe in town is involved in some way, whether they are splitting a show with the Fives or competing in Improv Thunderdome or writing for BareTV.  Even the name "Second Saturdays" feels like it could catch on here in KC.  It rolls right off the tongue.  

• IMPROV THUNDERDOME SEASONS 3 & 4

I hate to say it.  I can't wait for season 4 to happen, and season 3 hasn't even begun yet.  Don't get me wrong, I am extremely excited for season 3.  We've got a lot of Thunderdome vets back for more, and we've got a lot of new blood looking to prove why they belong. The talent is there.  Season 3 will be fun, but I am hoping it will be the end.  The end of an era.

In the beginning, my goal for Thunderdome was to establish teams by way of a draft.  With the format being so new to the community and certain performers egos getting in the way, there was no way of this happening.  So we allowed people to create their own teams.  Now, three seasons later, it is time.  We WILL hold a draft, create 9 random teams of 4, and they will compete.  I hope, that from season 4 on, this will be the way.

• BARETV

Back in 1999, I worked at the Westport Coffeehouse as the morning barista, on top of performing in the theatre on weekends.  It was my second home.  The owner, Tom, had the equipment and the ability to broadcast anything he wanted over the internet.  After a brief discussion behind the counter while Tom made himself a latte, BareTV (scroll down on the right.  Please do not watch) was born - A weekly 30 minute somewhat scripted/somewhat improvised mock talkshow that should have never been created.  

Nearly 10 years later we will give it another try.  We're all grown up, a little more professional, and a lot soberer than we were back then. The name will be the same, but the show will have some major tweaks.  The newer version will be a completely improvised late-night talkshow, complete with host, monologues, guests, commercials and live music courtesy of the very talented Billy Brimblecom Jr.  Aside from the main people on stage, a group of improvisers will work as a team backstage to supply the show with whatever it is called for.  Writers on the fly, if you will.  

Also, this show will be every other month starting in April.  Much, much better than weekly.

• SPORTS

King Carl is gone.  This can only lead to positive things for next year's Chiefs.  I honestly don't care what happens next season.  In my mind it will be a success because Carl is gone.  Should Herm be gone? Probably.  But personally I'd just like to see what he does with Carl involved.  If he still stinks, GET'EM OUTTA HERE!

The Royals won 75 games last year and didn't finish in last place. That's good.  They should win at least 10 more games in 2009.  So far I've liked what the front office has done with the exception of finding a new shortstop.  Other than that, I'm very exciting.  Which isn't saying much because I am very optimistic at the beginning of every new baseball season.

Here is the lineup I would like to see:

1. Coco Crisp - CF
2. Mike Aviles - 2B
3. Davis DeJesus - LF
4. Jose Guillen - RF
5. Mike Jacobs - 1B
6. Billy Butler - DH
7. Miguel Olivo - C
8. Alex Gordon - 3B
9. Alberto Callaspo - SS

As for the rotation:

1. Gil Meche
2. Zack Greinke
3. Brian Bannister
4. Luke Hochevar
5. Kyle Davies

But Jared, where is the necessary lefty starter?  My answer:  What good has lefty starters done for us in the past?  Chris Haney anyone?

The KU football program beat Minnesota in the Insight Bowl last night.  I do not expect the basketball program to have similar success.  Why should I?  They're national champions.  They lost their whole team.  Conference play is almost upon us.  These games will determine how good this team really is.

There.  I'm done.

GO GO GADGET 2009!!!