In honor of the rat, the first animal in the cycle and the animal of my birth year (hows that for new beginnings?), I offer a celebratory clip:

As well, as "Random Wikipedia Fact #11," which isn't as optimistic as I'd hoped:

Rat (zodiac)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Rat (Chinese) was welcomed in ancient times as a protector and bringer of material prosperity. It is the first of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. Rat is associated with aggression, wealth, charm, and order, yet also associated with death, war, the occult, pestilence, and atrocities.