523. Almost here

Almost here--just a few more hours. I'm remarkably organized compared to past years; this time, in place of the usual pile of random paper, I have a long, neat list of the things I didn't get around to doing. I can put off all these tasks except for one, writing and calling some people I meant to contact weeks, months, or years ago. If I don't send out three New Year's cards in particular, I should just go ahead and feast on pork and cheeseburgers for the next ten days while God throws her metaphorical hands into the air and declares me un-atoneable.

For Rosh Hashanah I'll be helping lead at the synagogue and church, and on Yom Kippur at the Big New Fancy Theater. We're no longer using the Kind Of Nice, But Cave-Like Theater. The BNFT is amazing, although it's unnerving to walk through a mall in order to get to a place of worship. On the other hand, one could view the experience (if one were looking for an excuse to pick up a killer Coach bag right before hearing the shofar) as a thought-provoking juxtaposition of spiritual and secular holiness. Fortunately I get to use the stage entrance, a discreet side door, so will face fewer temptations. This year I'm leading with only two of the rabbis, which is like saying I could have won $89 million in the lottery, but got only $74 million. Either way I'm one of the luckiest people on the planet.

I'm thankful for many, many things, but on top of my list right now is the fact that I don't have a cold. Every morning this week I've offered a prayer of unending gratitude as soon I woke up and confirmed that I could make audible sounds.

Wishing everyone a new year filled with sweetness, good health, peace, beautiful music and, of course, laughter: Shanah Tovah!