Auld lang syne

Now that 2005 is over, I only have one thing to say: Whew. Look at everything that happened: Philadelphia got cool (really), the Eagles got to the big game (and then imploded), local politicians continued to embarass themselves in various ways (I’m looking your way, Rick Mariano) and one local 22-year-old got a freaking job blogging. I know, right?

I don’t quite get what to make of this year, but I do know this: I couldn’t have done it without you. Since launching this blog in late August, it’s been quite a strange trip: praise, hate mail, the whole shebang. The only thing more mindblowing that people emailing me and saying they really enjoy what I write is people emailing me telling me I can’t write. Either way, I’d like to thank all of you for reading.

A lot of people have really helped me out — even if they didn’t know it. Some people emailed thanks, some people sent tips, some people linked me and some people were just inspirations. Last week in PW, EIC Tim Whitaker wrote a big list of people’s names with holiday wishes, and I kind of liked it. So I’m stealing the idea. And thanks to the magic of hyperlinking, I can link to selected people to show you some of their fine work. Or something I wrote about them. Or make fun of them. It’s like a big game — albeit the stupidest game ever — and you have to figure it out. They’re in no particular order. If you didn’t get a link it’s because you’re so good I couldn’t choose one. Or I was lazy.

After the jump, the fondest of New Year’s wishes. I’ll see youse in 2006, back on a regular schedule.

Johnny Goodtimes • Andy Cliver • John Carroll • Karl Martino • Jeff Barg • Jill Ivey • Sammy Mack • Lauren McCutcheon • Joey Sweeney • Mike Benner • Rebecca Rindler • Cassidy Hartmann • Jeff Cox • Will Bunch • Dan Rubin • Albert Yee • Chuck Pennachio • Kate Kilpatrick • Kate from Ego • Will Leitch • Sheriff Gonna Getcha • Jake Wilson • Kyle Whelliston • Jon Tannenwald • Kia Gregory • The Northeast Times • Sara Green • Steve Volk • Jesse Smith • Gwen Shaffer • Tim Whitaker • E-Mail Group • Sara Kelly • AOL Instant Messenger • Ken Pomery • The Daily Pennsylvanian • Jason Weitzel • Ray Didinger • The oh-so-cool PW ad staff • Dorothy Robinson • Shannon Jensen • Michelle Dubert • Tom Acox • Kate Moorehead-Kuhn (and I probably spelled that wrong) • Peter Forsberg, Simon Gagne and Mike Knuble • Ron Varrial • D.J. Gallo • Liz Spikol • Mike McFarland • Cute Puppies • John Finger and Andy Schwartz • Jessica Lussenhop • Lunch trucks • Rich Hoffman • Phil Sheridan • Josh Cornfield • Phil Jasner • Les Bowen • Ryan Howard • David Akers • Kyle Korver • Mike Kern • Mishel Cobb and the rest of the IT staff (and, come to think of it, the rest of the Philly Roller Girls) • Brad Maule • JJ Tiziou • Neo • Nom De Plume • The Capitol years • Plain Parade • Jessica Pressler • Kirsten Henri • Everyone at The Evening Bulletin • Even Cuter Puppies • Northeast Philly • Everyone I forgot, since this list is too damn long already.