This year seemed like a bad movie – scary twists, surprising turns, lots of new characters, but not much to be desired for the sequel. Here is to a fresh start in 2009!

So 2008 wasn’t ALL bad. I compiled a quick list of some of my new favorites things…(strictly Web or book related):

- Swaptree.com: check out the simple tutorial to find out how you can dust off old books/movies/etc. and trade them for new (well, once-new) toys. Only pay for shipping, not the actual book.

- Bookmooch.com: Exchange books and earn points to give to charities. Kinda like Netflix, you always have a Wish list with books in queue.

- Splicd.com: Ever try showing friends cool part of YouTube video, only to find yourself waiting in exasperation for the 10-second funny part of 3-minute clip? This very smart idea alleviates such a scenario.

- Flood it!: This.Game.Is.So.Freaking.Addicting. I love, and hate, the creators of this game so much. It’s easily my favorite distraction.

- iGoogle: Yeah, old news to most people, but I just recently got addicted to this uniquely customizable interface. Checking email used to be so tedious, but now I can simultaneously learn a new word, play blackjack, see what movies/concerts are playing, and learn a new joke! I heart my Oscar de la Renta theme, and I hate to admit I check this so often it’s probably unhealthy.

EEK – gotta run, so this will have to be “Part I.” Happy New Year everyone!