I have repeatedly tried to write the opening sentence of this blog post chronicling the “best night out of ‘09” and ultimately end up erasing each aborted attempt. 2009 was a year filled with night outs – drunken camaraderie, serious life altering conversations, voyeuristic voyages in and around Boulder – whatever the night entailed, I enjoyed each and every one of them in such different ways that, to put them in any sort of hierarchy would not do the other night’s justice.

Instead, I’ll write about all the night’s combined. In the ethereal bliss that is memory, all those special nights of last year have melded together as one. The rising and setting of the sun, the changing of seasons, the trespass of time play no role in them. Whether it was that snowy night at the end of last winter where I soldiered around with a group of mostly strangers looking for the next party. Strangers like Matt and Monika who would come to be a part of so many night’s out over the passing months. Then there was Keg’s and Kites – put on by Stepan, Ef and myself – that brought James Baber into our collective lives. There were night’s where I wasn’t around yet are etched into my memory – like when Stepan got sick at the lazy dog after a few to many. There were quiet nights with Vanessa at home – making G & V show episodes, laughing, and making memories that I will cherish forever. Even now, here in New York, I’ve had nights where I just enjoyed the company I was with. Hanging out with Pete and watching Chris’s band perform at Arlene’s basement; meeting the mayor of San Antonio with Julia, Josh introducing me to $.10 wing night at Croxley’s, building our apartment’s table with Ariel. When it comes to the adventures I’ve had this year, time is no longer linear – but merely a symphony that continuously harmonizes with the notes that came before it. Thank you to all my friends that made this year so amazing.