Six things that didn't suck about 2014

As you begrudgingly reassume your position at your desk today — the first Monday of the new year — it can be easy to be a little pessimistic. You've got an entire year of work ahead of you, after all. So what's so great about the new year, anyway? Or the old year for that matter? They're both stupid. Everything is stupid.

Don't worry; these are normal thoughts. But despite what your stuck-in-holiday-mode brain might be telling you, 2014 wasn't so bad, and 2015 is shaping up to be just as ... tolerable. Worst-case scenario: you only have to bear 51 more Mondays until it's over.

If you still need a pick-me-up, here's a list of six things that didn't suck about 2014.

• We got a new mall. Just in case you forgot about that whole thing. There were ’round-the-clock galas, ribbon cuttings galore, people on stilts and general insanity for the first few weeks our new icon, the Mall at University Town Center, was open. Our world — and our traffic — will never be the same.

• Über rolled into Sarasota. Partygoers, bar flies and penny pinchers rejoice — this nationally loved ride-share app, previously available only in larger cities, finally made its way to Sarasota, and just in time for the end of the year. Despite some ... regulation troubles ... Über is a great less-expensive cab alternative, and it's one more thing helping to level the playing field between Sarasota and some of its larger, neighboring cities.

• Downtown shake-ups. One of the most exciting things that happened in Sarasota this year was the seemingly endless list of new nightlife options announced for downtown. McCurdy's moved downtown, Beer Box announced plans to replace Evie's on Ringling, World of Beer is replacing Eat Here, Evie's is moving down main street, to be joined by a Taco Bus and a bowling alley, Paddy Wagon will open another location downtown and The Famous Tavern opened on Main Street. 2015 is looking good for downtown Sarasota.

• Nobody got Ebola. Despite some misleading headlines, nobody in Sarasota was infected with Ebola. And that's always a good thing.

• Sunday booze ban lifted. Sarasota County officially put an end to the longstanding ban on alcohol sales before noon on Sundays this year. So, if you're up early enough, you can finally enjoy that Bloody Mary.

• Bayfront options. With both the sale of the former Quay site and the formation of Bayfront 20:20, an organization devoted to helping realize the potential of Sarasota's undeveloped bayfront property, the possibility of an exciting, modernized waterfront seems finally within reach. With meetings and planning slated to start in the first few months of the year, we're excited to see what lies ahead.