I'm sorry if I'm jumping the gun on a thread that is traditionally started by one of the old-timers, but I've had a lot of fun my first year here at Hatrack, and wanted to mention that my favorite thread of the year was imogen's Good COD dobie. What a great introduction to the Hatrack dobie tradition that was for me!
The gay marriage thread that spawned the Good COD dobie, and the gay marriage threads that followed were probably the most prominent Hatrack topic of the year in my mind. Those and the presidential election threads, while not my favorites, taught me the most and gave me the most insight into the Hatrack mindset.
Telperion the Silver has been my favorite newcomer of the year. Mack has been my favorite --I-- and O_o person. Jenny Gardener was my favorite wench, and Mayday my favorite wenchling. Stan the Man, my favorite Mr. Toolguy.