The Haunted Mansion was decked out in Nightmare Before Christmas regalia, and the park was full of happy people enjoying New Year's Day with loved ones.

2008 was a great year, and '09 promises to be even better! Happy New Year, everyone!

Original Wheel of Time author James Oliver Rigney (under the pen name Robert Jordan) passed away in September of 2007, leaving the task of concluding the series to Brandon Sanderson.

I'm adding items to my 2009 day planner already. For September through December. My fourth grade teacher would be stunned.

Here's the low-down:

• Sept. 1: Buy 2010 day planner.
• Oct. 1: File vacation forms with HR for the Friday after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. (Total time off: 6 days.)
• Nov. 16: Start writing Christmas cards, buy stamps.
• Nov. 26: Thanksgiving
• Nov. 30/Dec. 1: Mail Christmas Cards, book New Year's Eve plans.

The notion is that by Dec 1, all plans will be booked, and I can relax and get some time off to enjoy the season, and by about Dec 20, I'll have all my shopping done.

I'm not sure whether I'll manage to make all this happen. But at least having a plan seems like a good idea.

• Pay down my debt. [check!]
• Maintain my body weight below 175 lbs.
• Take at least one 4-day camping trip.
• Test for my orange belt in Krav Maga.
• Do fun stuff to stay in shape. [check!]
• See four big-ticket concerts this year. [check!]
• Draw regularly.
• Play music regularly.

I've markedly reduced my debt, I've stayed in shape, and I've had a great time doing it. I've gone to several concerts (NIN, Smashing Pumpkins, the L.A. Phil, and a fantastic gospel choir performance.) I've also found and enjoyed a lot of great recorded music.

Oddly, it's the stuff that didn't happen that I'm really proud of, because the reason it didn't happen is that it got crowded out by more important stuff.

I have an incredible girlfriend. I've spent more and more time on restorative activity like yoga. Instead of testing for my orange belt in Krav Maga, I learned to snowboard. And I have a great new job.

All in all, it's been a great year. I wouldn't change a thing. So I'm going to keep all the same resolutions for next year, with one new one:

• Buy only what I really need.

Use up, wear out, make due, or do without. Be frugal. Buy only what I really need. I already have everything I need to have a lot of fun. I don't need a new bike, or new clothes, or a fancy car.

And, of course, there are plenty of really important things that are not even on the list. My loved ones, my job, my health. Those are things that I hope I need no reminders for.

Oh, and while I generally hate "life assessment" quizzes, there's one that I actually like: the Clean Sweep life assessment quiz. My current score is 89.

I hope everyone else got what they wanted for Christmas too!

Nutshell Advice for First-Time Snowboarders

Get a lesson, but just pick up a few nutshell bits of advice, get a little practice in a super-safe setting, then head for the bunny slopes where you can get some flow going and concentrate on how your board moves. Keep your eyes up and your knees bent, and find your inner chillness.

If it's in the budget, buy your own boots. I couldn't get my rental boots to fit quite right (serious heel slip), and while I had a great time, I think it would have been even better with well-fitted boots.

The kids are alright killing it. This makes me want to learn mandolin. Gotta get back into music somehow.

Check out the insane box jumping at about 2:18. A while back, I could do desks. Right now, benches are super-easy, and I might be able to do a desk if I tried. Looks like those boxes are about four feet high. Very impressive.