Sunday, December 28, 2008 | Life, "Stop the Presses"
SP Looking forward

Editor-in-Chief Kevin Moreau looks at 2008 and into 2009

By Kevin Forest Moreau

All across this big blue marble, we’re getting 2008’s affairs in order, tending to unfinished business so that we can face 2009 with a clean slate. Accountants are balancing their ledgers. Critics are compiling their best-of lists. Even our current commander in chief is tying up his loose ends. Last week, he granted a slate of pardons, a sure sign that a president is crossing last-minute chores off his to-do list.

As both my mom and my wife will tell you, I’ve never cared for chores. And that goes double for year-end reflection. It’s customary, as the clock winds down on one year and another gears up for its 365 moments in the sun, to look back on the last 12 months, to take stock of what we’ve done and where we’ve been. I’m as sentimental as the next guy, but just the idea of it makes me anxious. I already know what I’ve done and where I’ve been, and usually, I’ve no desire to relive those accomplishments. And I hate making year-end best-of lists. Maybe it has something to do with having crossed the threshold of middle age, but I don’t want to spend a lot of time looking in the rearview mirror.

Besides, there’s so much promise right around the corner. We’re less than a month away from the historic inauguration of our first black president. And the Atlanta Falcons are in the playoffs, with a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl.

So as Baby New Year undergoes his final round of preparations—getting measured for his sash, adjusting his diaper, balancing that top hat just so—here’s a list of things I’m looking forward to in 2009.

I’m looking forward to Clifford “T.I.” Harris finally achieving some measure of peace, now that the man who murdered his best friend Philant Johnson has been sentenced to 66 years to life. As Harris prepares to start serving his own prison term, I hope he’s able to close the door on a painful and tumultuous chapter in his life.

I’m looking forward to OutKast releasing a new album next year, in addition to announced solo albums from both Big Boi and André 3000. I’m looking forward to the new U2 album putting to rest the ridiculous notion that Chris Martin and Coldplay are their heirs apparent. And I’m looking forward to new releases from Kelly Clarkson, Neko Case, Robyn Hitchcock, Christina Aguilera, Eminem, Jay-Z, Mastodon, Muse and Roxy Music, among others.

I’m looking forward to Andrew Vachss’ latest novel, “Another Life,” which hits the stores Dec. 30 and is said to be the final book to feature his beyond-hard-boiled protagonist Burke. I’m also looking forward to catching up on all the books I didn’t get time to read in 2008.

I’m looking forward to the “Watchmen” movie, to the new “Star Trek” and “Terminator” flicks, “The Surrogates” (based on the comic miniseries published by Alpharetta’s Top Shelf Productions), Robert Downey Jr. (not Sacha Baron Cohen) as “Sherlock Holmes,” and—geek alert!—“Wolverine” and “G.I. Joe.”

I’m looking forward to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences doing the right thing and nominating Heath Ledger for Best Supporting Actor for his revelatory turn as the Joker in “The Dark Knight.”

I’m looking forward to “Heroes” regaining its footing with the upcoming arc “Fugitives,” which looks promising, and (much as I hate to admit it) a second season of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”

I’m looking forward to the Falcons and the Hawks maintaining their momentum into the postseason and beyond. And I’m really looking forward to the debut of the Gwinnett Braves and the chance to enjoy the intimate atmosphere of a minor-league game without driving to Rome. 

I’m looking forward to America scrapping its way out of the current recession, and to a new era of prosperity.

I’m looking forward to The Sunday Paper enjoying its best year ever.

Most of all, I’m looking forward to sharing it all with you, our awesome readers. From everyone here to each and every one of you, have a happy and safe New Year, and we’ll see you on the other side in ’09. SP

Kevin Forest Moreau is Editor in Chief of The Sunday Paper.