Happy ’10s
Blog — By Jordan Green on December 31, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Ten years ago today, I wrote my first top 10 list, a cobbled list of the best albums of the millennium (mostly, it was Beatles and U2). I think that’s when I fancied myself a writer for the first time. Ten years later, I’m still that deluded.
This New Years, I’m in Murietta, California, at my in-laws’ house, this Spanish hacienda-style new build up in the mountains around the Temecula Valley. Actually, it’s the bank’s house, but who’s counting? I’m here with my wife and two month old daughter. It’s a wistful and low-key night here. Usually, New Years is the biggest night of the year. I started dating my wife around New Years. I proposed to my wife on New Years. Almost every New Years this decade, with the exception of the year I was overseas on a forward-operating base in Bosnia, has been a huge celebration with close friends. We even got confronted by the elders of our church one year (early on). Even that, I miss.
It’s possible the ’00s will go down as one of the worst decades in history. But you know what? This was my decade, and I loved it. I was 19 years old when it started, and we were in Pioneer Courthouse Square watching Squirrel Nut Zippers perform, and almost every formative event of my life happened since then, and now it’s almost over.
I’ll miss you Aughts, or whatever the hell you were called. Salut.
Happy New Years, everyone.
(P.S. As nostalgic-drunk as this post sounds, this is probably the first New Years in a long while that I’m not some degree of intoxicated. I’m not saying it’s right, I’m just saying.)
6 Comments
Happy New Year, Jordan!
I was 26 when this past decade started and it was a terrible 10 years for me in most ways. I’m glad to hear it held redeeming value for someone else. On NYE 1999-2000 I was actually waitressing at Applebee’s in Philadelphia and within 6 mos I would move to my Great home state of Michigan. I worked so that the young punks could go out and party. Apparently at 26 I was already bored with the NYE propaganda. Maybe that was the start of a cynical decade.
Here’s to hoping another great 10 years for you, Jordan. And hoping the same thing for myself as well!
Di,
Sorry for your rugged decade.
Somewhere in my early twenties (I’m a horrible historian) I started my own decade of conflict. Being in church leadership in two conflicted churches, dealing w/ a church arson. Before I became a pastor I was more ignorant and arrogant than I am now and decided to bust a union where I worked– without a lawyer or a clue.
Looking back I’ve come to believe that every Christian that God uses goes through some type of gauntlet experience that lasts for long years. During that time I initially took refuge in being a cynic, and then discovered that it was a form of self-protection and smallness.
I don’t know your story well, but I’m familiar with your God. Trusting your next decade will be filled with Joy.
You’re the best, Di.
Her story is very moving, especially what she has shared on her blog over the past year. You should definitley check it out.
Will do, Emily. can you toss me a link?
Sure thing. You can actually just click on her name in her comment, and it will take you right there, or go here http://www.djnienhuis.blogspot.com/