Trial Balloon: December 31, 2008 Archive

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

Posted at 4:48 AM on December 31, 2008 by Dale Connelly (28 Comments)

Has New Year's Eve changed, or have I?
It doesn't feel like a very special time anymore.

I remember growing up with the clear idea that the evening of December 31st was when careful, reserved, obedient adults were allowed, even encouraged, to suspend the rules of normal behavior and greet the year in togas. Though not allowed to stay up late enough to celebrate personally, I would peek out the window at midnight, fully expecting to spot my staid neighbors (actually named Mr. And Mrs. Sober), foaming at the mouth and swinging from the trees.
I never actually saw such a thing, but every young boy has hopes.

Today, the idea of a raucous, boozy send off for a dozen miserable months seems old fashioned and pointless, especially with our increased awareness of the social cost of drunk diving.

Oh, there are parties, but parties happen all the time.
It's like the 24 hour news cycle - the CBS Evening News used to be an event.
Now it's just another half hour in a sea of talking.
And so it goes with "Auld Lang Syne".
Is New Year's Eve still special? And if it is, how should it go?

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