I think everyone can agree 2016 has been a shitty year. It has been relentless, and even in the last few days it has caused a lot of sorrow. But mankind perseveres, and despite all the heartbreak we chose to focus on the good, celebrate, and try to make the best of a lousy year.

I turned over the new year with friends old and new and probably did more driving for new year’s eve than I have done in a long time.

The first stop was Marinos’ house for his annual New Year’s Eve party in Ann Arbor. It’s been a while since I’ve gone to the party, so it was great to see friends from over a decade ago and catch up with them. Marinos made placards of everyone that RSVP’d early and also there was a souvenir mug. The number in the beer indicated the number of times youv’e attended. John is one of the few people that’s been there all 9 years, and those that have attended for 5 years or more got a personalized mug.

After seeing the old, the next stop was new. Pat met me at Sean’s F*ck 2016 New  Year’s Eve party and we hung out with our newfound friends. The ball dropped while I was hanging out and meeting more people here. After a couple drinks, it was time to move on to my final stop.

The final destination on my New Year’s Eve tour was Kevin and Dayna’s house. I met up with the gang, some of whom I haven’t seen in months. I arrived as people were finishing a game of LCR, it looked like only the kids were left and there was a large bucket of singles. It was great to see everyone again, and like all good things it had to come to an end and it was time to go home.

I traditionally always take a picture of me and someone else kissing the cheeks of a third party. This year, Will was the lucky recipient with Lindsay helping me on the other cheek.

Here’s to hoping 2017 is much better than 2016. #Fuck2016

-Evilmanta