Resolution: Live Like You're the Ace of Trumps

Yesterday Rev. Mom and I went to the Colombian store in Arlington to get a few New Year's supplies-- phone cards to call a few relatives (I know-- how very third world of me); empanadas to send off 2008 in style (or at least good for a midafternoon snack); a Spanish deck of cards to learn how to play tute; and a few other miscellanea.

As we waited for the empanadas, my mother talked to the shop owners and everyone unilaterally agreed that leap years are supposed to be years of bad luck.

I think that looking around friends' blogs in the interwebs and looking at the economy and everything, one could not help but agree: 2008, a leap year, was a year of hardship and penance.

But.

I was born during a leap year --1976-- and I don't consider my life any worse for the wear.  I'm sure it was a challenging year, but along with the deep downs come soaring highs.  After all, I personally have nothing but gratitude for that year, even if it was a chaotic and hard year for many.  It was random chance I was born then, as much as I could have been born any other day in any other year.  The catch, of course, is that had I been born in any other day of any other year I wouldn't be the person I am.

So it is with this just-gone year, which honestly was very good and kind to me even as it beat up many of those in my acquaintance near and far.  Maybe it's not so much the year or the number or the superstition as much as a matter of things happening on any day of the year.

Only that a year can only logically have one beginning of the year and so today is that day in which we pin our hopes and alternately sit in dread of the outcome.

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In Spanish we have a saying about something having "more rules than a game of tute."

I have to tell you: at first learning how to play this game was rather confusing-- it does seem to have a lot of little rules and oddities that don't want to stick in your brain.  However, after playing one trick you start realizing that tute, just like any other game or activity --life platitudinally included-- is mostly a series of choices generated by random chance that is beyond our control.  There are tiny glimmers of moments where you can elucidate the choices presented before you and feel as if you have some semblance of control.

But mostly, life is random beyond your wildest imaginings, and it's up to you to try to ride those waves of chaos as best as you can.

May your next 364 days and change be like a good game of tute to you and all those you know.

Next in my randomness queue: Eggs Benedict and a Mimosa or perhaps a Kir Royal-- but only if life is willing to let me play this trick.
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About the title: a trump card is a card that, for the duration of a trick, cannot be beaten.  Donald Trump, thence, has an awesome and randomly fitting name. 
I don't think I need to explain the bit about the ace.

Comments

[Vixen]

Happy New Year!

There are many superstitions, which people believe in even though they say they don't. Personally I find Friday the 13 to be a lucky day for my family and myself. Leap years aren't any different than any other even numbered year.

For us, odd numbered years do tend to bring more good events - we were all born in odd numbered years, my husband and I met in an odd numbered year (married in an even numbered year though), and we generally seem to do better in the job department in odd numbered years.

However despite all the ups and downs, 2008 wasn't a bad year overall. There were a lot of good things that happened along with the bad. Still, I admit I am hoping that 2009 is better for us financially and job-wise. It already has one bright spot waiting for us in May when we celebrate our 25th anniversary.

[LiLu]

Happy New Year, Madame Meow! Eggs benedict and a mimosa right now sounds deeee-vine.

[Florinda]

I was born in a leap year too (12 years before yours), and I've never heard that superstition before. It does seem to have applied to 2008 in many ways, though.

Happy New Year to you and yours, Madame M. (including the one you'll be welcoming in 2009)!

[Nat]

I haven't heard of tute but I'm a huge fan of card games. Hope your holidays were delightful and all the best in the non-leap-year 2009. Happy New Year!