auld lang syne

i found out this morning an acquaintance, if that's even the right word, had passed away.  he was a fixture on the local band scene, and he bartended on occasion at the bar i practically lived in during the better part of the '90s.  in addition, many of my good friends were good friends with him.  although i can count on one hand the number of words i actually spoke to him, and in sharing those words, i found him to be somewhat condescending, it's still sad to know he's gone.  perhaps it brings up a lot of nostalgia of that time in my life. 

that was a time of confusion for me insofar as what i wanted out of life and where i wanted to go.  it was an interesting journey; some good parts, some really good parts, and a lot of bad parts, but very educational for the years that followed.  and it so happens, today i ran into one such person who was very instrumental in my learning process.  i had a relationship with this young woman, and it was, in fact, her idea to move to san francisco.  some three months before we were to leave, however, the relationship fell apart.  i continued on with the plans and left san diego for the city by the bay, while she stayed here.  we carried on a friendly relationship for several years afterwards, and i even had the opportunity to meet her husband when they came up to san francisco soon after their wedding.  eventually, because life rarely sits still, we lost touch. that was 10 years, and by some reckoning, a lifetime ago.

i find it strangely cyclical that these two events happened on new year's eve, a day we tradionally celebrate the future.  do i miss those days?  sure, who doesn't look back at the past and remember all the good times.  but i think i'm happier now in the path i chose, the decisions i've made, and with the people who have become a part of my life since then - namely La Taureau and La Cognilia - than i ever could have been had i stayed the course.

to all my friends whom i've known over the years, to my family whom i love dearly, and to all those i will meet in the coming days, weeks, and years - happy new year's.

good night, 2010.  i'll see you in the morning, 2011!!