New Years Eve: what are you doing?
I have a confession to make: I’m not extraordinarily fond of New Years Eve.
Oh, back when I was a very little kid I remember liking it very much indeed. It was an opportunity to beg my parents to be allowed to stay up, and often I won that battle and had the thrill of watching the ball drop on TV.
Back then each year had seemed almost endless, and the punctuation of that last day, with its celebrations and dramatic turning of the number of the year into one we’d never seen before (wow! 1959! next, 1960!) was exciting and fresh. It also meant I was growing up, gaining in privilege and stature.
In high school it was still sort of fun—we went out in big packs, once or twice to Times Square to watch the whole thing in person. In college it became more problematic because I went home for Christmas vacation and was away from the boy friend de jour.
Then later on I was married. What do married people do on New Years? Parties still happened, but they were starting to end earlier and earlier (New Englanders don’t tend to be nightowls or wild partygoers, I’m afraid). For me they functioned mostly as an excuse for getting dressed up. It doesn’t help that I don’t drink much. Watching others get drunk has been an interesting spectator sport over the years, but not really my favorite activity.
As for that “growing in stature and privilege” thing—well, I’m kind of on the other side of that particular slope. Gaining in wisdom, perhaps; at least, that’s a consummation devoutly to be wished. And the passage of time seems to have accelerated at an alarming rate.
This year? There will be a small dinner party with friends, and some Malbec has been laid in, which should keep me a bit more in tune with the festivities.
So folks—what are you doing New Years Eve?
One thing is certain: I will not be watching the ball drop in Times Square. My day starts at 6 AM and I’m no longer the night owl I once was. We’ve got a bottle of champagne to uncork. 2008 had it’s share of disappointments, but I’m more of a glass half full kind of guy. See you next year!
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I am cooking a fillet, baked potato, fresh green beans. I have a split of very decent champagne with which I will make myself a Kir Royale with a twist before dinner. I have a Tempranillo-Cab blend (good stuff) for drinking with dinner. Will go to bed early which will mean I will have to forgo watching Bloomberg, Bill, and Hillary “drop the ball” (seems like there is something symbolic about that)
I’m grilling some marinated lamb ribs and…. I dunno after that.
I’ll probably be trying to remember the names of the other two Lennon sisters; in addition to Diane, I recall little Janet. I doubt that I’ve given them a thought since high school.
Happy New Year, Neo.
Staying at home with the cats, brewing up some hot spiced tea, and listening to my favorite Bach CDs.
I am heading in shortly… my plan is to go up to a local summit tomorrow to watch the sunrise over the lake…
Happy New Year everyone!
Staying in with friends. I’ll drink your share for you. Just don’t ask for pics. Imagine.
Interesting post, Neo!
Actually, you pretty much capture the arc of life. I still like staying up and watching Times Square. If folks there are happy at 19 degrees, then so am I!
Anyway, we have some London broil, baked potatoes and shrimp cocktail. Plus some nice BV cabernet. I don’t get drunk, just comfortably numb, but sober enough to make it to midnight!
Wishing you and all the neo-neo readers the best in ’09!
I plan to go drinking. Little neighborhood bar, strong sets of regulars, not too many troublemakers, and lots of good people. I’ll just try to avoid the whole “three sheets to the wind” thing. Walking home can be…adventurous under such condtions.
I understand that “three sheets to the wind” is old maritime slang for a sailing ship (three masts) out of control. Thank you, Jeapordy.
Watching some fireworks, then staying home with the brood and having smoked salmon, brie, and other delicacies, along with a little champers.
Happy New Year, neo and all!
We got 6 – 9 inches here in Hampton, NH, so we went down the road to Hagan’s Grill. They have a picture window, and we enjoyed our mahi tuna appetizer, duck medallions, strip sirlion, and creme brulee while watching the various plows, front end loaders, and graders handle the main intersection. They must have made a fortune! Round and round pushing little piles of snow for the two hours we were there (all the real work was done before we arrived). ‘Twas a dark and stormy night, nonetheless.
Happy New Year, guys!
I loved it when I was a kid too.
My dad made sure to go to bed early and called it: “A bullshit depression-era administrative holiday.”
However, on New Year’s Eve at 12pm, he was fond of yelling “Happy Noon Year!” and then laughing at me when I said it was dumb.
Now I do that to step child….
I spent at least 45 minutes clicking through all the Lennon sister videos. Sure reminded me of my childhood. I spent New Years reading a book.