Essays & General Comments 07-12-31 NEW YEAR THOUGHTS (December 31, 2007)
As the computer L.E.D. snowman is replaced by the office 'relaxing' colour changing light - thoughts are turned from the long awaited Christmas festivities - and gaze, expectantly into the year ahead.
I have to declare my side here - I am not a New Year Celebrant. Despite my Northern Heritage - and my dad's determination to make me stay up and drink champagne at midnight, I sit firmly in the 'champagnes best when you are still awake' camp. Hubby is off to sketch at a hotel party and I have strict instructions not to stay up, so I will be tucked up cosy with my new book, as normal, around 9.30pm (with a large glass of wine).
I have never been a New Year fan. After years running big events it always seemed to have a different atmosphere to the Christmas build up. Christmas has a much more relaxed, family, and cosy feel to it. People are spreading the Goodwill To All Men, even if they are not in the least bit religious; everyone is much more aware that the whole world is part of something big, and are relaxed and silly. New Year always seems to have a 'bite' to it. I don't know, every one is desperate to get tanked-up, they are forcing themselves to party and end up so desperate to 'involved' at midnight, that they end up snoging anyone (or anything) that is in the way.
The pubs and streets of most (even quite small) towns become a danger zone to pass through late evening; get progressively worse as the night passes into the morning and become seriously toxic when the clubs kick out. The morning after the streets are in just as poor state as the party goers and the whole thing takes on a shabby, slightly dirty feel.
And of course, there are the New Year's Resolutions. Now there's a system doomed to failure. Announce to the world that you are going to deprive yourself of something you REALLY, REALLY, like (it's usually giving up something - had you noticed?). The you wonder why you can't get past the 3rd day and spend the rest of the year punishing yourself that you failed!
It's not that I am against a good party - getting a bit tidily (or very tidily) - and I am actually in favour of change and promises. It's just that I like to do it in my own time and space. Without the world watching, and reminding me - and laughing when I slip up.
Every day is a mini-fresh start, every week is a new chance to try something, every month sees a change, even when you have a bad day or two, or week, or month (as we all do) - there is the next one, and the next one, and the next one. So if your New Year's Resolution is to change something and you don't make it past teatime: never mind. So what. Do your best for the rest of the week and start all over again next week.
After all we are only human, aren't we.
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