Well, another year has come and gone. In just a few hours it’ll be 2009. Lots of people all around the planet are gearing up for some serious, I-can’t-remember-what-I-did-last-night celebrations. Others are having a simpler party with friends at their house. Still others are just settling in at home for a night focused on the ball drop, excitement, and reflection.
My wife and I are going to put the kids to bed at their normal time, then watch a couple of movies. Maybe we’ll have some snacks. If the movie’s over, we might watch the ball drop. Or we might go to sleep. It’ll be pretty similar to most nights.
What can I say? We’re boring. But I like this plan. I like relaxing with my wife, not having to worry about being a host, or being a polite guest while trying to avoid stuffing my face with whatever party food is available (and failing at that). I like being able to fall asleep when I’m tired instead of having to entertain someone or drive myself home.
Besides, I don’t really see what’s so special about New Year’s Eve (beyond the fact that I get a couple of free days off work). My brother feels the same way about birthdays. With him they’re no big deal (for adults). “You survived another year. Whoopee.” I disagree with that, to a large part because the focus is on an individual who has very likely accomplished much within that year, and regardless should be acknowledged for being special (though, really, that should happen every day).
But I see New Years the way he sees birthdays. The earth didn’t blow up this time around the sun. Okay. Good. I’m happy about that. So basically, the sun is going to rise tomorrow… just like it did today. Nothing really changes, except the calendar. Same stuff, different day. Seems like it’s just an excuse to get together and set off some fireworks. I don’t have anything against that — I like fireworks, and parties are fun — but I don’t really see the point.
I used to go to/host parties every year. I had a good time. I enjoyed the ones where I hung out with a couple of close friends but as time went on I kind of lost interest in the whole global celebration thing.
Still, like I said, I get a couple of vacation days out of it, so I’m good.
What are you doing on New Year’s Eve, and why?
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I had a lovely quiet evening – it is 6pm 1st January 2009 here in Australia.
Went to bed at 10pm last night, woken by fireworks at midnight but went back to sleep again. Perfect way to see in the New Year, catching up on some much needed sleep
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Jeff says:
January 1st, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Sounds great to me. Glad you had a nice day.
You know, it’s funny… I realized earlier today that no one set off any fireworks around here. That’s the first time that’s happened since we moved here.
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Jeff,
First time on your blog. Really liking it.
Saw this old post and had to comment.
I wanted to stay home on New Years and do the wife and kids thing you described.
Instead the wife won. We went to a close friend’s house wit hthe kids. They have kids and there was just one other couple and their kids. We’re all friends.
We watched the ball drop.
I would’ve rather have stayed home like you did. I’m jealous.
He’s back and better than ever in He’s Back And Better Than Ever…
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Jeff says:
January 28th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Hey, Shawn… Welcome! I’m glad you’re liking it.
If you’re gonna do the get togethers, doing it with close friends is the way to go.
(heh heh… “He’s back…” I still say that every once in a while. My wife just rolls her eyes.)
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