December 30, 2025

As has become my end-of-year custom, I just now read through the blogs of these preceding twelve months.  And the process wasn’t nearly as painful as I might have feared!

Here are some initial thoughts:

I’m a bit amazed - and thankful! - that only one or two of these entries focused on the current crazy world of politics at all.  After initially warning how a  W.T.F. vibe for the coming year appeared unavoidable no matter who was President (seeing as the first three days were going to be Wednesday, Thursday and Friday), I somehow got sidetracked away from this issue for most of the remaining year.  And now I’m heartened to note that 2026 will begin on a Thursday.

Maybe T.F.S. will stand for “Thanks For Surviving”?….

I didn’t live up to all of my personal challenges, I can freely admit.  I rather-naively believed the announcement of a new song in February would inspire me to complete another one the very next month - but no, that did not happen.  I won’t give up, though.  The immediate follow-up to “Love Has Finally Come” was supposed to be “The Clouds Have Rolled In”, which has so far only been heard by friends who have braved the stairs to my fifth-floor apartment for a live performance.

This audience needs to be expanded!

Everyone except me appeared convinced how I’d be back on the Vineyard for one more summer.  This year I once again had my doubts; after electing to have partial-knee replacement done in early June, I needed all of July to gain the flexibility to work in restaurants again.  And then - well, everyone except me was right.  August and September on Martha’s Vineyard was as great as ever.

And that cold ocean water appeared to work wonders on my knee!

My June blog happily recounted a special night watching a screening of “After Hours” as part of a movement to preserve the West Park Presbyterian Church on 86th and Amsterdam.  Well, a few months later I’m talking to an elderly gentleman on a bus on the Vineyard; he happened to spend winters on the Upper East Side and was acquainted with my part of town as well.  In an amazing coincidence, I soon discovered he had actually attended that same screening, which was crazy because the turnout had to have been no more than 80 people.  Eventually, I showed him a few photos I took of the event.

And there this stranger was, easily identifiable in one of them.

Sometimes we can’t help but notice how the universe occasionally makes sure we happen to be in the right place at the right time…

Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Jimmy Kimmel - and even Nikki Glaser - got their due respect from me this past year.  There’s no question; I really didn’t talk about myself or the current president all that much these last twelve months.  Hopefully this trend will continue well into 2026!

I did, however, write about my songs and implied I was ready to compose more fiction as well.  I’m generally not one for New Years Resolutions but personal challenges have their place no matter the date on the calendar.  I’ll be sure to keep you posted on whatever progress ensues!

Christmas Week is nearly over but here in NYC the good vibes can still be felt everywhere.  I hope you’re all taking the time to enjoy whatever beauty may be present for your own eyes to see.  Everyone here at michaelaba.com continues to thank you for the always well-received encouragement, comments and reviews.

And now let’s discover what these next twelve months bring!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!