Auld Lang Syne, part 2
There must have been a rule at the banquet hall that no one could sign up for the New Year's Eve package unless they were senior citizens. The place was pretty nice so it wasn't the end of the world, but try saying that to all of the jipped singles in my group hoping to find someone to make out with in the corner of the room by midnight. When the best talent in the room is a 50-something named Blanche or [insert any other Golden Girl here], you know it's going to be a long night.
Ironically, it was a short night. I'm not sure what it was exactly, but whenever I checked my cell phone, the current time was way later than what I wanted or expected it to be. All I know is by the time I signed in at the lobby, got to my table, said hello to all of my friends, and finished my first drink, the night was almost over. A salad and a steak later, it was already 11:30 pm.
Time flew, except I wasn't having enough fun. I hope that's not how 2008 will be. I'm sure there's a way to say this without sounding like a complete nerd, but if it made sense to put "age" on a y-axis and "time" on an x-axis, you'd get an exponential curve. You'd get my life. So that brings up my New Year's resolution, which is the same as last year's: live for the week, not the weekend. Because these months just keep whizzing by, even though I'm not ready to be old yet.
Speaking of which, I wasn't ready for it to be midnight. As if I had a say in the matter. The countdown chanting began in a hurry, and then "Auld Lang Syne" started playing, and then the balloons. Like I do every year, I texted both Frank and Jaimie "Happy New Year!" and texted May "Happy birthday!" Then I stared at the giant projection screen as "2008" flashed on it with fireworks CGI sparkling in the background, while trying to ignore any strange waves of sadness that that stupid music has had a bad habit of giving me.
For a minute or two, I dug my hands into my pockets and took a slow walk across the dance floor, kicking balloons back up into the air. Tina, my really close friend who, along with me was the mastermind behind our entire group partying it up at this banquet hall for geezers, she finally got a hold of me and gave me a big hug.
"I feel so sad, Pete," she said as we looked around the room. "We'd been planning this bash since Thanksgiving, talking about it every day. And now it's all over. Just like that."
I nodded, then had a strong urge to say something totally random, so I told her that I considered her my third best female friend, which was pretty good, and then told her that I put the "turd" in "turducken," which made no sense to her at all.
I wished her a happy New Year, gave her one last hug, then left to go hug the rest of my friends.
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14 Comments
Looking really hot in your tie, Pete! Happy New Year!
It was a good time... you know I love hanging out with you! :)
wtf dude I didn't get a text message at midnight ;)
Great post, you made me feel like I was there.
It cracks me up that someone of your intellectual depth and introspection decided to break out of that funk by bringing up your turducken thing! :-)
I think all of us at one point or another have felt emotions as complicated as what you described on New Year's, although it's always difficult to articulate.
Oh and believe me Pete... time flies much, much faster the older you get.
So what is "it" about that song that gets to you? I think I feel slightly sad when I hear that too, because it gives the year an air of finality.
nice job with the tie, i'm proud of you
You look very GQ!
I'm not sure I get the exponential curve stuff... but point taken. Follow your own advice and 2008 will be even better than 2007!
I think it was dinner. By the time they finished serving all the courses, it was 10:30-11. Next thing I knew they were playing that "2007" video. It was a good night Pete and I didn't even notice the old people. Well..I guess Ron did...the cougar asking him to dance. Next year, we'll have our own party and invite every single everyone knows for those single boys;) Happy New Year again Pete!
It was even more like a wedding there than last year, just even the older folk got out and danced!
Ha Julie, that was pretty funny with that lady and Ron, you've got yourself an older ladys man!
Yea Pete, at least leave the last couple posts comments open
for yesterday: the end of the world will be 12.22.2012, that is if you believe the Mayans...
You forgot to mention the old lady who thought you looked like fun so she started grinding on you from behind ;)
I hate New Years! Bah hambug!
I must say I'm rather surprised that you didn't have some sort of fun stunt planned. Looks like your evening was tame by your standards.
always a good time Pete! and thanks for enduring some shopping the next day with me and Angie :)
p.s.
you saved me like $200 on not buying those dumb boots!!
No problem, Marci. Remember, Ugg boots are exactly what they sound like: ugly.