Happy New Year!
Hey, it’s the Sylvester already. Whatever.
Maybe I’m having a case of “sour grapes” syndrome. Then again, maybe I’m just exhausted. And getting old. Allow me to explain.
A few years ago, back when I had more of a life (at least compared to now), I got an invitation to a New Year’s Eve party that read, “Bye 2006! Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out!” That’s right. My people and I didn’t think 2006 was all that.
You know what? I was going to say that about 2008. Which is funny, because when I was a kid I used to mourn the loss of the year and get all nostalgic while I drowned my sorrows in sparkling cider. But then I thought about it and realized something.
This year, I really don’t care.
You know what? It’s snowing. I spent Monday and Tuesday at work unpacking a $10,000 LEGO order. My dog kept me up two nights in a row. My vacation is almost over. I’m in my sweats, and until I go out and buy my sparkling cider, they’re not coming off. (Wait, that sounds wrong, but you get the picture. I hope.)
Last week I told my mother that I was neither hip nor up-and-coming (as opposed to say, the Meat Packing District and Brooklyn Heights). Case in point: I don’t have any plans tonight, other than watching a movie until 11:55, at which point I’ll get ready to watch the ball drop.
All I know is that this version of the new year doesn’t require two full days in the synagogue, hours of cooking, or family gatherings. Thank goodness.
So I’m looking forward to a peaceful evening. No plans! Yay! Sour grapes? Maybe, but I don’t care.
Who needs Times Square for a Rockin’ Eve? Just come to Chez Mel.
Oh, I almost forgot to bring up Sylvester. I’m sure you’re dying of curiosity. For some reason, Israelis refer to the evening of December 31 as The Sylvester. Nobody seems to be sure why. But in Israel, it’s not much of a holiday anyway.
Sour grapes aside, I do hope 2009 is a huge improvement over 2008. I wish all of you a year of health, happiness, and peace.
Meanwhile, good-bye 2008. It’s been lovely, but please, don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.
Cheers!
P.S. Take my poll! Just try not to make me feel like too much of a loser, okay? Thanks. But first, here’s a little New Year’s video for you.
Posted in Fun With YouTube, Mel In Manhattan, Mel's Favorite Posts, New York Living, Polls, So NOT hip and up-and-coming. . .
December 31st, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Thank you for posting that video! It totally reminded me how much I love that movie!
I voted going to a party, but I’m not too hip either. It’s just a small dinner party with a few couples. The evening will consist of food and rock band. In fact, I doubt we’ll even pause to do a countdown or anything.
I totally don’t think looking forward to a peaceful evening is sour grapes. You know what would make you happiest and are sticking with that. I’ve had a few New Year’s Eve times spent staying home with a movie for company and it can be just as rewarding a night as going out.
Hope 2009 is a better year than 2008!
December 31st, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Happy New Year Jennifer! You know, there are some years where I’ve wanted to go out, but I guess this year I just feel like staying home and gearing up for Winowrimo.
Have fun tonight! The dinner party sounds lovely!
December 31st, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Ah see New Years Eve is tricky for me as it’s my father’s birthday. Yup, just came home from dinner with him and my mom.
I tend to stay home, I have very bad NYE memories so staying home, curling up with a movie (or something) until 11:55pm is a really nice way to go.
January 1st, 2009 at 9:20 am
Cynthia, I hope birthday dinner was nice! Sorry about the memories. Holidays are great for stirring those up.
But I hope 2009 and WinoWriMo go beautifully for you!
January 1st, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Dinner was good, the wine better.
The memories are fading. Of course “killing” that particular ex-boyfriend in a book probably helped.
January 5th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Hoping for a better year myself. Last year was just too chaotic.
Still, we made it through another NaNo. And that just might have been my personal highlight.
I think I was asleep by 10:30 New Year’s Eve. If it weren’t for the 6:30 am wakeup call of my kids (and the visiting 6 mo old) in the house, I’d go with the stay up and eat pizza option….
January 5th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Happy New Year, Melina! We stayed home this year too, and it was really nice. Although we didn’t get to sleep until 1:30, we did get to sleep in! Missed the whole Rose Parade.
January 6th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Wow, I wasn’t expecting the pizza option to have so many votes. People must be unusually tired this year.
Robin — Happy New Year! So glad you had a nice evening!
Ilana — Last year was quite a year, but yes, we rocked NaNo! Hope you’ve caught up on your sleep!
Cynthia — Good wine, getting writer’s revenge. . .all fabulous things!
January 8th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Mel–no sour grapes there! Here’s wishing you a FABULOUS 2009!!!
January 8th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Thanks Pam! Same to you!
January 11th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Happy (belated) New Year! I love that clip, by the way. Great movie! And I liked how in the poll everyone just wanted to stay home and order a pizza.
January 12th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Melina,
This is one of my all-time-favorite movies! Hope you’ve had a good start to the New Year :).