“I do think New Year's resolutions can't technically be expected to begin on New Year's Day, don't you? Since, because it's an extension of New Year's Eve, smokers are already on a smoking roll and cannot be expected to stop abruptly on the stroke of midnight with so much nicotine in the system. Also dieting on New Year's Day isn't a good idea as you can't eat rationally but really need to be free to consume whatever is necessary, moment by moment, in order to ease your hangover. I think it would be much more sensible if resolutions began generally on January the second.”
How do you feel about New Years Resolutions? Friend or Foe?
This week I've been reading a lot of blog posts speaking about this, and there seems to be a 50/50 split. Some people take them very seriously, while others regard them in the same light as emptying the litter box.
I used to be the former. If New Years Resolutions were a subject in school, inside my teacher's grade book there would be a sparkling A next to my name. It isn't even crazy to say that I'd be offering after school tutoring sessions on how to beat your New Years Resolutions into shape. My own teacher would probably be a student of mine.
These days however, probably thanks to burnout, I don't have much use for them. Last year I didn't make any. If I did, I'm sure I forgot all about them by January 2nd.
But this year I started thinking really hard about it. (Insomnia makes me think even more than I usually do, which is saying something as the mind chatter inside my head is neverending). I decided that it doesn't matter what I call them - goals, resolutions, or a healthier lifestyle - and that no one is "positively perfect in every way." We can't all be Mary Poppins. (Actually, scratch that. Mary Poppins has got to be the most imperfect fictional character of all time with a pompous statement like that). There's always room for improvement.
So here's what I came up with, at 4 o'clock in the morning:
- The simple phrase, “Let go.” Stop worrying so much over trivial things. It’s exhausting and a ridiculous waste of perfectly good energy.
- Imperfection is okay, so stop comparing your creative endeavors and yourself to others.
- I know it can feel like climbing Mount Everest without oxygen, but do your best to change your attitude over certain things... especially when it comes to matters that you have absolutely no control over.
- Find a way to better separate yourself from others emotions.
- Finally learn how to play that guitar, and even though you can hardly draw a stick figure please attempt to learn how to draw. You’ve always wanted to possess that talent. While you’ll never be anything like a Beatrix Potter or Tasha Tudor, at least you can feel good that you at least tried. (See Resolution # 2). Effort does count for something.
- Even though I already have several blogs, I would like to create another one elsewhere. A clean slate and anonymity agrees with me.
- Manage that over thinking. It’s okay that it’s nearly impossible to quiet your mind. Just try your best to turn down the volume of your thoughts. If they’re negative, push either the “ignore” or “self destruct” button. If the thoughts are positive ones, embrace them.
- To experience a well-rested night of sleep, force yourself to go to bed before 9 pm.
~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~
Now, I'm not saying that I'm sticking to any of these. I'm just saying that I've tossed the little buggers in the air and understand full well that subscribing to even one of them is a healthy step in the right direction.
I decided to start the New Year by saving a lot of my favorite music on YouTube. After having done that, I've come to the conclusion that I still enjoy the music from my childhood and junior high days the most.
Anyone remember this one? Or was this way before your time?
If so, I beg you to please humor me by keeping that information to yourself. I'm not a fan of acknowledging chronological age. I like to pretend that I just don't believe in it.
Anyhow, this video was only THE COOLEST VIDEO EVER MADE IN THE HISTORY OF NOT ONLY THE WORLD BUT THE UNIVERSE! It was boss back then, and it still is. It's like the Mona Lisa of 80's music videos. It's timeless!
"The Old Year has gone. Let the dead past bury its own dead. The New Year has taken possession of the clock of time. All hail the duties and possibilities of the coming twelve months!"
~ Edward Payson Powell
First things first! My brother was supposed to propose to his lady over Christmas, while they were out of state visiting her family, but they both got really sick. (She knew he was going to propose and she'd already picked out her ring). He wasn't about to propose when they were both so ill, so it had to be put on hold.
After carrying that ring in his pocket for an entire week, he finally proposed to her last night.
Do you have any New Years Day traditions at your house? When my Grandma (on my Dad's side) was still alive and living in Houston, the whole family would have a get-together at her house. The rose parade would be on tv and we'd have a great big barbecue. It was all very laid back and there was so much BBQ that I don't really think my grandfather ever left the BBQ pit. Half of the family would be outside in the sun while the other half stayed inside to chat and visit.
Those New Years Day barbecues have been a memory of the past for a long time now. The only tradition remaining, at least for this household, began on my mother's side.
It's a superstition, really.
This tradition/superstition being eating at least a spoonful of black-eyes peas on New Years Day. This year my mother even had the dogs and cat eat at least one.
I've never really thought much about it before, but after a little research I discovered just how common it is in the south. Here's what I found (and I'm taking out the parts that don't apply in our household. The article would be too long):
"The practice of eating black-eyed peas for luck is generally believed to date back to the Civil War. At first planted as food for livestock, and later a food staple for slaves in the South, the fields of black-eyed peas were ignored as Sherman's troops destroyed or stole other crops, thereby giving the humble, but nourishing, black-eyed pea an important role as a major food source for surviving Confederates.
Today, the tradition of eating black-eyed peas for the New Year has evolved into a number of variations and embellishments of the luck and prosperity theme including:
- Cornbread, often served with black-eyed peas and greens, represents gold.
- Adding a shiny penny or dime to the pot just before serving is another tradition practiced by some. When served, the person whose bowl contains the penny or dime receives the best luck for the New Year, unless of course, the recipient swallows the coin, which would be a rather unlucky way to start off the year."
That last bit... I believe my grandparents used to do this at their New Years Day BBQ. I had forgotten all about that!
This is what our New Years Eve looked like:
If last night were Christmas Eve, all the little children in our neighborhood would be having a lot of trouble sleeping, wondering if Rudolph would ever see through that fog.
But actually, while it was very warm last night and the humidity was at 100% the rest of that fog was due to rain and most especially the fireworks people were popping. (Around here, the fireworks have been going on every single night since a few days before Christmas).
By midnight the rain chased away most of the firecracker happy people, so I didn't get to film much. I was also afraid of the rain ruining our new camera.
The videos below are pretty uneventful, other than the noise. The rain this year pretty much canceled out any pretty fireworks shows.
"New Year's is a harmless annual institution, of no particular use to anybody save as a scapegoat for promiscuous drunks, and friendly calls and humbug resolutions."
- Mark Twain
Doing anything special this New Years Eve?
It's a sticky/icky/non-winterish and rainy day here, so off and on I'm watching the (very edited)Doctor Who marathon while barbecue cooks in the oven. Naturally, I plan on staying up until the fake apocalyptic/fake "Bad Wolf" year of 2012 ends. (Hooray for Doctor Who references! Like bow-ties, Doctor Who references are cool).
Before midnight, I'll probably relive my childhood by watching Rudolph's Shiny New Year. (It's been on my dvr for at least a year). So yeah, that's pretty much it. We love to party around here, can't ya tell?
Someone might have to tie me down so that I don't hurt myself with all this rocking and rolling and throwing confetti in the air in between sipping iced mocha's and kissing my cat at midnight.
And unlike myself, our neighborhood has been celebrating for weeks now. Anytime there's a holiday on the horizon, the fireworks are popping until 3 am.
Evidence below:
(Scary, because we're surrounded by tall pines. At least today and tomorrow it's raining).
Anyway, here's my New Years Eve math:
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Because I lack imagination and New Year Resolutions, here are some New Years comic strips and pictures that I found during my bout of insomnia last night.
I might borrow this resolution that I found on the internet: "Start buying lottery tickets at a luckier store."
"Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Middle age is when you're forced to."
- Bill Vaughan
I couldn't resist posting this video because of the New Years Eve scene between Rose and Tennant.
Now please excuse me while I sob crocodile tears over my BBQ sandwich.
Today isn't only New Years Eve, but my uncle's birthday as well.
I'm not a fan of acknowledging chronological age. I like to pretend that I just don't believe in it.
