Has it really been more than a week?

[constance]

I'm meant to be at a New Year's Eve party right now. I'm meant to be getting drunk and singing karaoke with a bunch of people I don't know (and a few I do), and possibly to be spending the night at my hosts' house if I've drunk too much to drive home.

I'm not, though. I spent all weekend wishing desperately for a cold, a flood, a fire, anything to get me out of this particular obligation to which I should never have half-heartedly, conditionally agreed in the first place, and then decided at the eleventh hour, sparkly skirt and marabou-trimmed sweater all laid out on the bed, that I just wasn't going to make myself do it. I wasn't going to sit miserably in a corner for four hours wishing I was home. So I called my hosts and left a message on their machine using bad weather as a perfectly lame excuse, and here I am.

And I've been feeling guilty ever since, despite the fact that I doubt my absence will be remarked. But the truth is that of all varieties of party that connect with my life, my absolute least favorite is the New Year's Eve party, and I've decided that I am past feeling that I somehow should be forcing myself to try and enjoy something that most people enjoy without effort.

Next year I may spend the night with friends, if there are such around who like a quiet sort of NYE. Or I will spend it alone. But one thing I will not do is agree to go to a loud, unruly party just because I can't think of a good reason to say no. I owe it to myself and my hosts not to be so loserish as that; and I'm not a resolution-making sort, for the most part, but there it is, my resolution for the year 2007.

I'm off now to have a long, be-pruning, hot-water-twice-replenished gingerbread-scented bath, and then possibly a late-night movie. Anyone who wants to join me -- for the movie, not the bath -- is more than welcome. The key's under the mat; come right in!

And to everyone a most happy New Year's Eve, spent in the way that delights you most.

Comments

[miraminx.livejournal.com]

I've always disliked New Year's Eve and the pressure to have a good time this night of all nights-- not to mention the fact that everything costs four times as much as usual and then you have to contend with all those drunks on the road on your way home. I'm perfectly happy to stay in, and was even before I had children. So your bath and late-night movie sound ideal to me. Happy New Year!

[imkalena.livejournal.com]

I'll be stopping by! What are we watching? I can bring some nice champagne. :)

[thalia]

Happy New Year! I don't blame you at all for skipping the party; this is a nice night to spend at home, IMO.

[aubrem.livejournal.com]

We never go out for New Year's. We think the best place to begin the year is at home.

{{{{hugs}}}}

[leestone.livejournal.com]

Is this pandemic or something...? The consensus (from the pretty damn big sample I've surveyed on the subject) is that NYE is the most overrated, least fun holiday in the whole sweet world. I am over it too, my darling dearest. My NYE sucked shit through a bendy straw. You are so not alone here.

(Actually, ever since I researched Japanese NY for that Shigure fic I wrote a couple years back, I have had a secret love affair with their version of the holiday. But until we have something even vaguely resembling theirs, I fail to see the point. :/)

I want to have a New Year's Eve sleepover some year. We could spend all night doing fun and interesting things we actually wanted to do, as opposed to waiting for Dick Clark's ball(s) to drop. Or whatever. Wouldn't that be good?

I love you and owe you a phone call. (And you, me!) I have your present but seem to be post-office-phobic. The Boy ripped my heart out and danced the Watusi on it, but I'm past it now. Also I'm writing this on MY NEW LAPTOP OMGGGGGGGGGG.

In conclusion, I feel a Deathly Hallows release party in Macon is seriously, seriously incumbent upon us both, and if you would have me in your home I can't think of any more fitting way to ring out nearly a decade of devoted readership-cum-fandom baccahnalia-cum-friendship. And I would try to find a way to make it down if you were game, so what do you think...?

Also for some reason I chose to ask publicly, so if you say no my personal honor code demands I set myself on fire immediately. Which would just be so embarrassing here in the middle of Panera. Say yes...?

[laurelwood.livejournal.com]

I don't like traditional New Year's Eve parties, either, so it's just as well that nobody bothers inviting us to them anymore!

Dennis was remarking that staying home and eating pie/watching videos was sort of a pathetic way to spend such a potentially glittery evening, so I tried to imagine a party I might actually want to attend, and came up with nothing but dorky scenarios involving board games, unnaturally-hued cupcakes, craft projects, movies and similarly tame pursuits. :)

I hope your late-night movie was as good as mine was. (And your bath, too!) Happy New Year to you, you fabulous person, you!

[dahlia-777.livejournal.com]

I, er, like loud unruly parties, though they seem to be out of fashion.

I had to work last night so your NY sounds marvellous to me!

Sparkly skirt and marabou-trimmed sweater... Ooh, lovely!

[amelia-eve.livejournal.com]

I do rather like going out to do something sparkly on New Year's Eve, but nothing is worse than doing that sort of thing with others who are there under duress. I salute you for seizing the start of the year by doing what pleases you, damn the torpedoes.

Smoochy good wishes for 2007!

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, it's been so long since I was actually, like, out in public on New Year's Eve that I'd forgotten the more-expensive-than-any-other-day phenomenon. One more reason to stay snugly at home, yay!

(Except that Big Star/Posies concert was totally worth any inconvenience and/or NewYearOPhobia, I admit it.)

Happy New Year to you, too!

[tofty.livejournal.com]

We watched the Keira Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice, and thought it was somewhat inferior to the A&E version (though the Bennetts' house was lovely). And thanks for the champagne! :D

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Hmm, sort of the best night of all, really. :) It was a good night. :D

[tofty.livejournal.com]

I totally agree. *hugs!*

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Are you home tonight? I will call to find out in a little while. (As soon as my feet thaw out.)

A New Year's Eve with you would be fun no matter what; just think of all the things we could do! But more wonderful than that, even, would be a Deathly Hallows party with you -- there's no one who I'd rather spend it with, truly, and there's no way I would ever have said no to this idea! >:E

NEW LAPTOP!!!!! If I weren't so happy that you finally got one, I'd suggest you use it to beat up the watusi-guy. I'm sorry, honey, and I'll talk to you soon.

Love you love you.

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Actually, I feel very strongly that we would have a fabulous time if we spent a New Year's Eve playing board games and crafting and baking and watching movies.

My movie was just fine, thanks -- what was yours? And the bath was great too, and many hearts and happy new years to you, you equally fabulous person! :D

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm sorry you had to work! That sucks mightily, especially since New Year's Eves aren't wasted on you -- I hope you're able to make it up very soon.

And the sweater and skirt were indeed lovely! That was my biggest regret -- not being able to wear my sweater, which doesn't get nearly enough play, sort of life I lead and all.

[tofty.livejournal.com]

I totally agree with you that it's equally bad for the people who're actually having fun to have to work around the person who's sitting sulking in the corner. :/

Smoochy good 2007 wishes to you, and Emerson, and your life-saving birkenstocks too! :D:D:D

[octoberstory.livejournal.com]

I will be home tonight (Wed.), and slightly earlier is better than later because I have to open at 5 AM tomorrow. If I miss you, I'll call back. ♥

Oh, and I have a new LJ, so I'll be semi-leaving leestone behind...

[dahlia-777.livejournal.com]

Yes, it was a shame, but almost everyone on my desk worked over Xmas or NY and I had to do my bit. I'll do NY again next, er, this year.

You should organise occasions you'd actually enjoy and then wear your sweater.

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Will call eightish, is that okay? I went to call you last night and realized I'd left my phone at work. >:O But it is IN MY PURSE right now, and is coming home with me, and I will call tonight.

By the way, I love your new hipster-girl haircut!

(Pee Ess I have presents for you too which I have not sent because I too seem to be avoiding the post office.)