Old Year's Night

[rhondacrockett]

I consider New Year a non-holiday. First, it comes too quickly after Christmas and, let's face it, Christmas gets the better publicity. New Year is like an after-thought: "HAPPY CHRISTMAS!! (Oh, yeah, and New Year too.)" Secondly, there is nothing to do on New Year - except to sit about until midnight and then wish everybody a happy New Year. Maybe if you were somewhere like Edinburgh, with the Hogmanay first-footers, ceilidhs and pipers playing Auld Lang Sine at midnight, it would be enjoyable, but my one and only experience of a New Year's party (the millennium, remember that?) was... kinda dull. Thirdly, New Year's resolutions are stupid. I can't think of anything more demotivating than reviewing all the things you didn't achieve in the year past and then saying, "Well, I'll just have to do it this year."

I have never made New Year resolutions (despite writing a poem about them at primary school - not my choice of subject; it was given as homework). But this year, I do have some... if not resolutions, then at least vague aims.

First, February is going to be my own personal NaNo month, to finish off the manuscript for Kalynder Girls 1. I'm gonna aim for another 50 000 words; if I come to the end of the story before that, all well and good.

Secondly, I will keep a record of the books I have read. I'll review the ones I feel strongly enough about, but otherwise, it'll be a straightforward list of titles and authors.

Thirdly, I will listen to ALL of my albums. I wouldn't say I have an exhaustive CD collection - but it's big enough. There are albums I have never listened to, others that I used to listen to all the time but haven't heard in ages, and a few that I played only once. And I want to listen listen - actually pay attention to the music and not just have it as background noise.

Happy New Year, everyone. I hope you can look back on 2010 with fondness and that 2011 will be a happy time for you :)

Comments

[flickerydoo.livejournal.com]

It is very rare that people stick to New Year's resolutions. We all make them, even if we don't want to admit it or stick to it. I prefer to think I make resolutions all the time, but more over they are constructive goals and objectives for myself.

I love your idea to record the name and author of each book you've read. I may do that someday. :)

Did you know in Japan that Christmas and New Years are the opposite way around? More hype over the new year than christmas. To the japanese, Christmas is a day for lovers and couples (kinda like our New Years) and New Years is family and food! I want to do Japanese new year cards some time. I didn't have any time this year, so maybe in the coming year. when I can actually learn to write the proper hirigana/katakana for the sayings. :)

Anywhoo, best of luck with your novel!! I gave up on Nano.

[rhondacrockett]

Lol, it seems like every other culture has better New Year's celebrations than we do! I think we need to move New Year to some other month where there's a gap of holidays, maybe May or September.

[evildeadpony.livejournal.com]

Happy New Year! Even though it feels exactly the same as it did yesterday! lol

It's a better idea to make goals rather than resolutions, yes. And I like the idea of another NaNo... I need motivation, maybe I'll try to join you. ;)