Xmas is done, wrapping paper recycled, boxes played with, batteries worn out, presents we don't want exchanged, now we have ....... New Year's Eve.
The grown-ups' winter holiday where we are actively encouraged to eat, drink, drink, drink & make merry. We're also encouraged to look back on the year and the key events.
I could never figure that out; we should have learnt from those events by now and are they wiped from our memories on January 1st anyway? We can reflect any time surely?
I do prefer to look forward in general. I have a Zen out-look on life anyway; learn from the past, live in the present, embrace the future, so while I don't make plans, the future is a blank page of new experiences.
But those experiences are for tomorrow. The reason for this impromptu blog was the realisation that this time, I know more people that are staying in on New Year's Eve than are going out partying.
I am actually surprised by that; I decided yesterday I wasn't going out. I was invited to a fancy dress party at an old friend's, Janet, and her parties are always excellent, and great opportunity to meet up with good people who I don't see very often. I have all the gear for a good but simple Indiana Jones outfit (I can get away with not shaving too), but I just didn't fancy it this time.
So why is that; why are more people staying in; lack of money? fatigue? apathy?
I don't know; perhaps a combination of them all, and we're all just getting older. We're "revelled" out, we've party-hardy and now we want to spend time with family & friends just "chilling". Just a thought.
Back to my personal decision, I didn't "fancy it", that is the truth. Still clagged up with cold and filling under the weather, but that was not a factor. (Also still watching the pennies.)
That's all, no big deal, I'm not worried by it. I think I'm like a lot of you. Its nothing special any more.
A Final Thought
Its been a "tough" year for me, not working for most of it, but through that, there have been some real highs. New friends and acquaintances, all very caring and generous. So, Andy, Nic, Claire, Michael and all the others, thanks for getting me through it. You all contributed something to my year & my growth, perhaps something small & perhaps, in passing, apparently insignificant, but something valuable. At least to me.
