As usual, I watched the ball drop in New York City's Times Square on TV this year. Did it seem different to you? The crowd didn't disperse immediately after midnight like they usually do, but there was no big reason to stay, either. Instead of recordings of John Lennon's Imagine, we got 82 year-old Paul Anka doing a re-written version of My Way. CNN didn't show earlier protests, but for a lot of folks, there is a lot of uncertainty ahead. That couldn't be more true personally, either.

Instead of reviewing 2023, we thought in this space we would look forward. The two biggest coming attractions for the next 365 days lie mostly in the worlds of sports and politics. In the fun and games department, college football's championship is next week. This fall, the no-longer-amateur sport will fall almost completely into the hands of the television networks, with Fox showing you the expanded Big Ten (including UCLA and USC), and ESPN/ABC giving us the SEC. Like professional football, other networks get a slice of the pie with games sprinkled in here and there.

Southern California baseball fans (including me), can see if the billion-dollars worth of Japanese imports (Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto) can bring the Dodgers a World Series title. The first spring training game is in 52 days, and the Dodgers open the season in Korea against the Padres on March 20 (at 3am Pacific Time). Spending the most money doesn't guarantee a championship in baseball, but anything less than making it to the Fall Classic would be considered failure. It might be a little early to say this, but a third straight early playoff exit could likely get the manager fired.

2024 is a leap year, so there's one extra day (February 29 is a Thursday if that helps plan things accordingly) It's also an Olympic year. The summer games in Paris run from July 26 to August 11. During the closing ceremonies, the torch (so to speak) will be passed to the next host—Los Angeles in 2028.

Dominating the news in this country will be the Presidential election. It's November 5, but the Iowa caucuses are in two weeks (January 15). The New Hampshire Primary is the following week (January 23), and South Carolina comes a month later (February 24). Californians vote on Super Tuesday, which is March 5. We will almost assuredly have a 2020 rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, as this nation's polar divide continues.

One district in California has an interesting dilemma which has grabbed national headlines. When ousted Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy decided to quit Congress in the middle of his term, Assemblyman Vince Fong of Bakersfield announced he would run for McCarthy's seat. The Republican used to work for McCarthy, and would seem to be the favorite to win in a special election. Before McCarthy announced his retirement, however, Fong filed papers to run for state Senate. There is a law prohibiting someone from running for two offices at once, so the Secretary of State (a Democrat), voided Fong's Congressional bid. Fong sued, and a lower court found in his favor. An appeal is expected, and the case could drag on.

With any new year come new laws. In California, police must state why they pulled you over before issuing a citation (apparently some don't do that). Several cities have also been allowed to install cameras that can automatically ticket drivers for speeding in some areas. The minimum wage is going up, and there are even separate minimums for fast food and health care workers. Employers are no longer allowed to ask if you use marijuana (my employer, a radio station, drug tests new-hires and even has someone witness you give the urine sample). More paid sick days have also been approved, including time off (man or woman) for a miscarriage.

Of course, economic uncertainty is a source for stress for most people, and wars in Gaza and Ukraine can provide fear here at home, as well as global economic instability. This country's political divide can add to that as the year moves along.

Personally, I enter 2024 about as nervous (and maybe even frightened) as I've ever been for a new turn of the calendar. I'm not currently working (but will either go back to my old job soon or have to find something else in a hurry), had a health scare (mild stroke) last summer, currently rely on my current employer for health insurance, and have medical bills due and no current way to pay them. I also have a milestone birthday coming up next month—just a constant reminder that I'm getting older by the day.

It is a new year, though, and with the change in the calendar comes a change in attitude. I guess you call it a resolution. I resolve to 'Do (stuff)!” If my radio career is indeed over, I need to decide what to do instead. If that requires school or training, I need to get a job in the interim. Tomorrow (January 2), is the first business day of the year, and I have a lot to catch up on.

One story to pass along that also gave me a little kick in the butt. I get mail from different companies all the time saying that because of my good credit (it's not bad, but not super great), I am 'pre-qualified' for a loan. I decided to call one of those companies, and after consenting to a soft credit check, they told me that I was 'unlendable'. I somehow went from pre-qualified to unlendable while I was on hold for two minutes! I make all my payments, but my balances are at their limits. I didn't tell the guy about my medical situation, but he claimed he could tell me everything about myself based on the report, and without using the word, essentially called me a deadbeat. Instead of the loan, he offered to enroll me in a debt relief program. I (somewhat) politely declined, but did learn some things I have to work on.

New years can be fun to celebrate, but looking ahead isn't always fun. There are some good things, though. One cousin is having a baby in April and another is getting married. April also featured a total solar eclipse visible in parts of North America (I've seen two, definitely worth it). And, perhaps before we find out who will be the President of the United States for the next four years, the Los Angeles Dodgers win 100 games, AND, win the World Series.

Happy New Year.