Happy New Year to the Internet from Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams
December 31, 2008
Oh my. It's New Year's again. Time is out somewhere huddled in a corner, cigarette ash at length, feeling sorry for itself. You know the feeling surely. What is it about New Year's that leaves us rushing for our lover, before the Times Square Ball begins to chase down the silvery pole on TV and disco is forever burned into our hearts each year this way (does ABBA receive royalty from this?) and all of a sudden everyone I know is in When Harry Met Sally. God I love that movie. Anyway, this New Year's, I did the impossible. I quit smoking (gross). I always read this thing, this "Quitting Smoking" thing on so many New Years resolution lists, but it seems most don't make it. So I hid under the blankets already and did the harrowing three-day OMFG slumber before New Year's. Why? Because I wanted to be through the worst of it before I went to some parties? Nope.
I figured withdrawal doesn’t count, and besides, I always always sleep in and early to bed on New Year’s Eve. I don’t like it. I never kiss the girl. I don’t drink, so there is that—that added annoyance on the streets really, not a bother, just a reminder of what I might have been like in my early twenties on any night ... no good. Nope. I go to sleep before it turns New Year’s. But there is one major reason why: time travel. That’s right. It’s free time travel, and when you are a shut-in reclusive wash-up like myself, you need dreams baby. Big dreams to keep your sails full of hot air.
Now, off with you if you are reading this ... GO HAVE AN AMAZING NIGHT. I will keep the light on if you need to talk. Happy New Year’s from NYC.
Photo: Mary Ellen Matthews
Comments (19)
Posted by Derek Howard on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 07.59 pm
I appreciate the message, not to mention how your music has seen me through a rough year--a gay guy who partied it up in Washington, DC who now finds himself alone on NYE in Lost River, WV--reflective; nostalgic; sad; a tad lonely, but by choice. I’m not much of a NYE guy either. Anyway, you are a cool guy who always has someone out there listening and appreciating I suppose.
Posted by Diane Perry on Thu Jan 1, 2009 at 11.50 pm
That’s fabulous that you’ve quit smoking, Ryan. It will probably add years of enjoyment of living to your life (i.e., more years of being here on this planet, which isn’t such a bad place to be really—it’s beautiful). Thanks so much for so many years of inspiring music and also for being an inspiration personally as well, as I watch you rid yourself of your addictions, become an author, and take important steps towards dealing with your demons. Many, many of us out here in the World At Large are pulling for you.
P.S. Please keep Foggy going coz we, your fans, love it. Learn to ignore the mean people who make it un-fun, if you can. If you let them get to you, you’re letting them win (is how I see it).
P.P.S. I know I spelled “coz” wrong. He-he-he.
Posted by Andrea on Fri Jan 2, 2009 at 03.01 pm
Ryan,
I too watched When Harry Met Sally on New Years Eve. I too love that movie. Also, I want you to know that at every wedding I have gone to this year, I have asked the band to play a Ryan Adams song (either that, or Europe’s the Final Countdown). They usually say no (shockingly to both), but one band member did tell me that at a wedding he played a few weeks before, the wedding song was “La Cienega Just Smiled.” Thought maybe you should know.
Happy New Years!
Andrea
Posted by Kate on Fri Jan 2, 2009 at 04.36 pm
I really admire your honesty and determination. Thanks for that.
Posted by mae on Fri Jan 2, 2009 at 08.43 pm
sigh… i love you ryan adams. maybe not as much as i love “when harry met sally”, but in the same region of love, most definitely x
It’s good to know someone else out there goes to sleep before midnight. I slept and went to the end of the world, then came back with a sigh.
I’d wish you luck with giving up smoking but i know you can rock it out. Just keep the idea there and it will exist.
p.s keep writing, we all enjoy reading the words (especially at work when the brain gets tricky and wants to sleep).
Posted by Violet on Tue Jan 6, 2009 at 12.15 am
I officially really really miss my daily dose of DRA. This provided a drop but I need a full cup. I hope you’ll think about reviving foggy - if nothing else so I can keep up with W & B. What are they up to these days? Chasing unicorns on the way to the moon I hope.
Posted by steffy-lou on Tue Jan 6, 2009 at 12.47 pm
i always thought that flying to a different time zone is very much like time travel - although not free - but with all the savings you’ll make from not smoking you could save up enough air miles to time travel your way across the globe. or you could spend it on pizza and coffee..
...and just think of how good they’ll smell once your olfactory system is ‘cleansed’ now that you’ve quit the tabs.
nice
Posted by stephylou on Tue Jan 6, 2009 at 12.55 pm
foggy is a little like christ - it has been resurrected before and i’m keeping faith that it will be resurrected again. do it. do it.
New Years is so hit or miss - the best times in life are “perfect moments” that are completely unexpected. You just have to keep your eyes and heart open for them - they are usually around in daily life when your just not looking… Please resurrect foggy - it makes you so human in a world full of bs stars.
wea
Posted by Emily on Tue Jan 6, 2009 at 08.46 pm
You are NOT a wash-up! Ahh if you only knew how your music has affected so many people...pretty much on a weekly basis I find myself telling people how your music literally makes me feel like i am THERE. Cannonball Days? From those summery beginning chords to the very end I feel as though I am there in apartment A9. I look forward to all your future posts and hope giving up cigs goes well...I’m trying to quit too 
Posted by Lily on Thu Jan 8, 2009 at 08.07 am
Dear Ryan, So lovely to find you (reliably) here. All of your music but especially your other writing makes me feel things that had gone numb for a long time, that I thought might never come back. You awaken inspiration in me and that gives me hope. That’s your rare gift as a pure artist, something that can’t be conjured but can be amplified and given to others.
I also love to laugh out loud at your rapier sense of humor. Do you read Dorothy Parker?
All best wishes for your continuing better health, a great tour with your mates, and new things to come in 2009. Thank you thank you thank you. And yes, Foggy is terribly missed! xoxo Lily
Posted by hudson river on Sun Jan 11, 2009 at 12.59 pm
thank you for always leaving the light on…
DRA
I am looking for the words to express how much I appreciate you as a beautiful soul, despite never meeting you before…
Although you may never read this, I at least want to put it out there.
I am happy you get to intern at Blackbook, continue writing literature & as always touching peoples’ lives with your wonderful, inspiring words. I have read that people are giving you negative feedback, that is ridiculous--perhaps they are just jealous of your honest nature.
I wanted to say I will be praying for your health to get better & for you to grow into that person you long to be-that you find the love that you so deserve to have in your life. I am inspired with new ideas for paintings on a regular basis when I hear your music or read your words, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Posted by Sarah on Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 10.08 am
Love him! More please.
Posted by Yvonne Payne on Tue Jan 27, 2009 at 04.53 pm
Ryan, the thing that no one knows about quitting smoking until they do is how easy it is to start back up again....sooo fuck up once or twice or three times, just dont give up! I tell myself still, if I smoke once a month or every few months, or when I really need it that I can be ok with that. And I do, and I am!
I bet it will help you ear too.
b
ought tickets to your show in Jacksonville yesterday. CANT WAIT!!!!!
Posted by bmh on Mon Feb 9, 2009 at 01.20 am
More Ryan, please. Where did he go?
Posted by julia drusilla on Mon Mar 16, 2009 at 10.55 pm
So there really is “a light that never goes out”.
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Posted by Rosebud on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06.12 pm
Happy New Year Ryan!
Here’s to staying smoke free and an awesome 2009!