20130517-221615.movThere are two kinds of people in the world, those who go out for New Year’s and those who stay home. People who stay home are usually adamant that they won’t go out and look horrified at the thought of going out on New Year’s Eve. Those that go out are equally horrified at the thought of staying home.
For years, my husband and I were among the people who would go out for New Year’s Eve. We had a long-standing date with another couple for each New Year’s Eve that (at the time) never wavered, even through having kids, babysitters, what have you. There was something comfortable knowing that we always had plans, albeit every year, they were different. The key was that when people would inquire about what we were doing, we always had an answer, “We have plans.” There was something nice about being able to say that we already had it covered. There was something wonderful about spending the evening with good friends, whether we went out or stayed in.
Every year, we would choose a different venue, but we always knew that we would be spending New Year’s together with our friends. Some years we went out to dinner and dancing, or a concert, or comic show, or perhaps we’d just dress up in our finest, and stayed in and talked all night.
Then our friends got divorced and we never heard from them again. So, just like a new year, we began the cycle anew with new traditions. Instead of going out for New Year’s, every New Year’s Day, we’d ride our bikes across the Golden Gate Bridge. There was something spectacular about being in the brisk, morning fresh air, while other people were sporting hangovers, and with a sense of pride, we’d ride into the New Year.
We live in the country now and one of our first years here, we went to an old-fashioned hippie party in a tiny little red schoolhouse and rang in the new year with new friends and loud rock and roll. It was a blast. There’s nothing like New Years to start new traditions and peel away the layers of old ones. Now, our tradition may include taking a New Year’s Day walk in the mountains of towering pine trees, and we can see the snow-covered tips of the mountains of Lake Tahoe.
However you choose to spend New Year’s Eve or Day, whether you are a person who goes out for the night or are a morning person, whether you are following old traditions or are making new ones, I wish you and your loved ones a very spectacular new year!
Love, Catherine.
Oh what a fabulous story. I loved it. Me and mine are one of those couple who celebrate the coming of the new year at home. I am scared to be on the streets of DC when people get to firing their guns and showing off. I feel safer in the confines of my home and quite happy as a lark. However, the coming of the new year this evening is finding me sick and in the bed….that’s not fun.
I hope you’re feeling better. Sometimes it’s way more cozy to stay home and watch the Twilight Zone marathon or a Danielle Steel movie than to go out on New Years. If I’m home, I like to watch the NYC coverage and watch the Ball drop–now, there’s a tradition! xo
Happy New Year Catherine. Well, I did see the ball drop before it was too late. The gun shots were going off like crazy too last night. It was a mixture of shots and fireworks, sounding like a war zone. I dozed off after it was over and noise died down. I am watching a Twilight Zone marathon right now. Just got up off the couch to check my messages. I tried to eat today, but food is tasting blah. Probably need more chicken noodle soup. Hugs and smooches girlfriend.