There's really no global significance to January 1-- it's not even universally acknowledged as the start of a new year-- but it's good now and then to take a little time to reflect on things. As a culture, Americans tend to be fairly bad at this (we're a low albedo nation), but we've built two such days into our national calendar-- Thanksgiving, for looking back, and New Year's for looking forward.
(We also use these as occasions for excess, which probably says a lot...)
A year ago, I wrote that "2006 is going to be a hard one to top, for me at least," but 2007 came pretty close to topping it. Work continued to go well, Kate and I spent a week in the Caribbean and three weeks in Japan, and I sold a book I never would've imagined writing a year ago. 2008's got a tough act to follow, but it's a little more predictably eventful than 2007 was. I can say with certainty that things will be significantly different around Chateau Steelypips next year at this time, though I couldn't begin to say exactly what things will be like. I've got a general direction in mind, though, and I'll be working to make it the best that I can.
Best wishes for the new year to all my readers and their families. May 2008 be better than you expect it to be for you and yours.
(we're a low albedo nation)
That is a good one.
Good luck and may next year be as pleasantly eventful for Chateau Steelypips as the previous year!