Editor’s Note: The Selective Echo is pleased to bring this new year’s reflection from Mark Alvarez in Mexico City. Happy New Year!

Lorena and I celebrated New Year’s Eve in Vallejo, a neighborhood inside the wonder and chaos of Mexico City. We had dinner with about 15 people, mostly relatives of Lorena. Dinner consisted of a rosemary dish, smoked Turkey and red wine for me, lemonade for Lorena. Almost like Utah. Near midnight, hard cider was served. In clear divergence from Utah custom and law, three boys under the age of 10 were given small glasses. One seemed particularly delighted by the flavor. Acquisitions, including taste, may come easily at Christmastime (Holidaytime? Anytime?).

At twelve midnight, each of us ate twelve grapes to the rhythm of the bells. Afterwards, most of the dinner guests went outside, per tradition, in the hope that 2008 would include travel. They took ample fireworks with them. Lorena and I stayed inside. A few seconds later, the power went out. I thought it amusing and wondered perhaps if y2k had arrived 8 years late. Candles are always at hand in Mexico, and the room was quickly reilluminated.

Curiosity took me outside, and sure enough, the entire neighborhood had lost power. Above, the constellations Ursa Major and Orion were visible. Sparklers lit the street. Firecrackers of all sorts danced and burst. At the end of the street, a few guns reported, into the sky we hoped. Within a few minutes, the lights and power of Vallejo returned.

2008 brought a new calendar, a Utah calendar stamped with the forgettable yet indelible logo “Life Elevated.” Does anyone remember how much that cost? “Get High” would have been cheaper and more memorable.

The morning brought news of global warming, new taxes and the United States. Mexican newspapers have devoted ample space to the U.S. presidential race. They have concentrated on the anti-immigration rhetoric of many candidates and tend to label it “racist” or “xenophobic.” Tom Tancredo and Mitt Romney have stood out. Some in Mexico stand ready to fit them with white sheets and hoods.

Turning to U.S. and Utah newspapers, it amuses that Utah’s favored political candidate spends tens of millions of dollars trying to tear down opponents and yet complains that those same opponents have gone negative. This is similar to the shout: “Shame on you, you have broken my knuckles with your face.” Fitting that political hoodlum Ed Rollins is looking to knock out some teeth. Let’s strip them down to their underwear and provide them both with clubs.

Vladimir Nabokov once wrote that his literary tastes were strictly homosexual. I support marriage equality and the rights of all human beings, including that of former political advisor and current U.S Senator from Idaho Larry Craig to take a wide stance in the bathroom. Still, I hope that 21st century political tastes go beyond the strictly homosexual, homoreligious and homoracial. But let’s follow the wise counsel of the Eurythmics to not mess with the missionary men.