Today's MOZEN 12/31/2013

Words and photo by F LoBuono

Another year takes its last breath. It will go out in a spasms of glory in Times Square in just a few hours. And for the first time in many years, I will not be there to cover it. Yes, I will be working the so-called Lobster Shift, a.k.a. the graveyard shift, midnight until 8 a.m. But I will be warmly and safely ensconced within the cozy confines of the CBS Broadcast Center. I may miss the incredible excitement of the collective consciousness of a million souls all focused at the same thing, at the same time, and doing so with peace, love and good will to men. I won't miss the incredible effort it takes to get to that moment. Besides, the fact that it's about 27 degrees out, doesn't foster a warm, fuzzy feeling in me. No, I won't miss it that much.

Besides, New Years Eve and Day have never been big with me or my family, anyway. We were never big drinker/partyers. And, when we did indulge, it would never be during something we considered amateur night! In fact, it was so low key that our big New Years Eve tradition was my old Sicilian grandmother taking us for dinner at the same Chinese Restaurant on Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn, every year until she become to old to do so. But it was more than just the inconvenience with dealing with a million tourists in Times Square (no New Yawkers actually attend). It was part of a broader philosophy. Why do we even need the legendary New Years Resolution? Shouldn't we resolve, on a daily basis, to do good for ourselves and those around us? Don't we/shouldn't we resolve to do what's necessary to insure good health for ourselves and those we love. Shouldn't we pray/work for peace on earth every single day? Sure seems simple enough.

But, if you need the popping of champagne corks and the boom of fireworks to ignite your fire and fuel your commitment to do better, to be better, than go for it and have 

THE HAPPIEST, HEALTHIEST MOST PEACEFUL 2014!