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shadowkatOh dear god, there are people who were camping out in Time's Square since yesterday morning to get a good spot to stand and see the ball drop in Time's Square. It's not exactly cold here - but it is not warm either - it is overcast, cloudy, and in the thirties and forties. (And for some this is a tradition they've been waiting their whole lives for and is on their bucket list??) Saw this on the news right now.
People are crazy. I do not understand people. Why would you put standing in the cold in a huge crowd in the middle of Time's Square to watch a sparkly ball drop on your bucket list? The hosts say its the most incredible experience in their entire lives? Really? Really?
I've been to this - when I was in my thirties and late twenties - and - it's not worth it. Honestly. We all ducked into a bar - after a bit, when I did it, the crowd just became too much. I think we also watched from someone's apartment once over looking Time's Square.
And it's a hundreds of thousands of people. Also, they stood out all day, with no access to bathrooms. (They went, probably came with friends who held their spots - I've seen it.) Also, this is nothing, it was cold when I went - and I did not stand outside all day. I'm not crazy. I went to dinner in Hell's Kitchen, then threaded my way through the crowd with friends, then jumped into a bar in Time's Square to watch it.
After reading my correspondence list, I feel bad for making resolutions in the last post? Maybe I should delete them? Nah. You don't have to read them. And I'll forget about them in two weeks anyhow.
1. What are you hoping for in 2024?
That we don't elect a crazy person for President? And the election goes smoothly and Biden is re-elected? Too political?
I survive another year of my job - and the move to Manhattan. Because I really want to be able to get 100% of my pension in four years. I need to stay four and a half years to get that.
That I manage to travel somewhere interesting. And meet new and interesting people.
2. What was your low point of 2023?
Uhm. Probably work related? The last two months were difficult to say the least. January to February was also tough. But honestly, I can't remember.
The year is blurring in my head as we speak.
I guess getting shingles in September? Note to self - don't procrastinate on shingles shots in the future. I'm getting one sometime in October next year. (I have to wait a full year since I got them. I had to get the flu shot in late December because of the Shingles, and COVID shot this January - probably around MLK weekend.)
3. And your high point of 2023?
Watching my niece graduate from college with honors, and open up her graduation gifts. That was lovely.
4. Do you make New Year’s resolutions or are they just a waste of time?
Considering I can never seem to remember them - yes, most likely a waste of time. I did try to be kinder in 2020.
5. Do you have any traditions for celebrating New Year’s Eve?
Not really. I make a quiche. Have cheesecake. And drink a glass of champagne to toast the NY. Also watch Dick Clark's Rocking New Year's Eve.
Or movies.
I used to go out, but haven't done that in a while.
End of the Year Meme, which is much much longer..
[swiped from day's unfolding]
1. What did you do in 2023 that you'd never done before?
Went to Great Barrington, Massachustus to watch my niece graduate from college with my Mother, and Brother. I sat between them as she graduated.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
If I made any? I don't remember them. And yes, I did make some this year - and I can't remember half of them already...
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, yay! 2023 had no one close to me die. Thank god. That's all I wanted from it.
5. What countries did you visit?
None. It was not a year for international travel, unfortunately.
6. What would you like to have in 2024 that you lacked in 2023?
Workplace stability. But it's unlikely. I'll settle for travel to someplace interesting, and new friends.
7. What date from 2023 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
My niece's graduation from college in May. Although I suck with dates.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Surviving my workplace? Painting 25 paintings of people I saw on the subway from memory - I'm proud of that.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Losing my temper at work? Not getting my shingles diagnosed fast enough?
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Shingles. Albeit a mild case, thankfully. Still tingles. Diabetes - under control, but still struggle with it under times of stress. Dizzy migraines.
But no COVID or flus or bad colds thankfully.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Painting supplies, clothes, books...new shoes. Oh, wait, my light quilt for my bed - invaluable.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My niece who graduated with honors from college at nineteen, drove across country and was a park ranger for the summer. Very proud.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Sigh. BYT, who sucks at managing people.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Clothes, books, healthcare...food.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Seeing my niece graduate.
16. What song will always remind you of 2023?
Running up that Hill by Kate Bush
17. Compare to this time last year are you
Happier or Sadder? Happier
Fatter or thinner? Thinner
Richer or poorer? Richer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Writing and exercising
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Dealing with annoying people, eating things that are bad for me, watching television, feeling sorry for myself, worrying about work...
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent the day with a friend, nothing special.
21. Did you fall in love in 2023?
No.
22. How many one-night stands?
None.
23. What was your favourite TV program?
Peaky Blinders
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No. No one new added to the hit list, thankfully.
25. What was the best book you read?
Killers of the Flower Moon - audio book, The Twisted Ones by T Kingfisher, and The Hellfire Gala finale for the X-men comics.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Magnetic Fields and re-discovereing, Kate Bush
27. What did you want and get?
Linen quilt, digital drawing set, book, clothing, trip to see niece graduate from college, throws, mug..
28. What did you want and not get?
Different manager. See mother at Xmas.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Oppenheimer by a mile.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Went out to dinner with a friend. Took the day off. Relaxed. 56.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Different boss?
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2023?
Black stretchy pants, knit shirts/sweater or blouse. Sneakers.
33. What kept you sane?
Writing. Painting people. Talking to my Mom, and Babs.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Cillian Murphy. (Peaky Blinders and Oppenheimer)
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Climate Change, environmental justice, and the Doofus who will not go away.
36. Who did you miss?
My Dad
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Probably new co-workers...
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2023:
Anger management? People are always more than one thing? This is temporary and will most likely change, so hang tight, and just float, and remember don't explode.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"Some days you just breath in
Just try to break even
Sometimes your heart's
Poundin' out of your chest
Sometimes it's just beatin'
Some days you just forget
What all you've been given
Some days you just get back
Yeah, some days you're just alive
Some days you're livin'
Some days you're livin'
Like you never die
Blue's a little bluer up in the sky
You're high's a little high
You feel that fire you've been missing
Some days you're living
It'a beautiful world sometimes I don't see so clear
Some days you start singin'
And you don't need a reason
Sometimes the world's just right
Your clear eyes ain't even blinkin'
Got a heart full of grateful
For all you've been given
Some days you just get by
Yeah, some days you're just alive"
- Dierk's Bentley
People are crazy. I do not understand people. Why would you put standing in the cold in a huge crowd in the middle of Time's Square to watch a sparkly ball drop on your bucket list? The hosts say its the most incredible experience in their entire lives? Really? Really?
I've been to this - when I was in my thirties and late twenties - and - it's not worth it. Honestly. We all ducked into a bar - after a bit, when I did it, the crowd just became too much. I think we also watched from someone's apartment once over looking Time's Square.
And it's a hundreds of thousands of people. Also, they stood out all day, with no access to bathrooms. (They went, probably came with friends who held their spots - I've seen it.) Also, this is nothing, it was cold when I went - and I did not stand outside all day. I'm not crazy. I went to dinner in Hell's Kitchen, then threaded my way through the crowd with friends, then jumped into a bar in Time's Square to watch it.
After reading my correspondence list, I feel bad for making resolutions in the last post? Maybe I should delete them? Nah. You don't have to read them. And I'll forget about them in two weeks anyhow.
1. What are you hoping for in 2024?
That we don't elect a crazy person for President? And the election goes smoothly and Biden is re-elected? Too political?
I survive another year of my job - and the move to Manhattan. Because I really want to be able to get 100% of my pension in four years. I need to stay four and a half years to get that.
That I manage to travel somewhere interesting. And meet new and interesting people.
2. What was your low point of 2023?
Uhm. Probably work related? The last two months were difficult to say the least. January to February was also tough. But honestly, I can't remember.
The year is blurring in my head as we speak.
I guess getting shingles in September? Note to self - don't procrastinate on shingles shots in the future. I'm getting one sometime in October next year. (I have to wait a full year since I got them. I had to get the flu shot in late December because of the Shingles, and COVID shot this January - probably around MLK weekend.)
3. And your high point of 2023?
Watching my niece graduate from college with honors, and open up her graduation gifts. That was lovely.
4. Do you make New Year’s resolutions or are they just a waste of time?
Considering I can never seem to remember them - yes, most likely a waste of time. I did try to be kinder in 2020.
5. Do you have any traditions for celebrating New Year’s Eve?
Not really. I make a quiche. Have cheesecake. And drink a glass of champagne to toast the NY. Also watch Dick Clark's Rocking New Year's Eve.
Or movies.
I used to go out, but haven't done that in a while.
End of the Year Meme, which is much much longer..
[swiped from day's unfolding]
1. What did you do in 2023 that you'd never done before?
Went to Great Barrington, Massachustus to watch my niece graduate from college with my Mother, and Brother. I sat between them as she graduated.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
If I made any? I don't remember them. And yes, I did make some this year - and I can't remember half of them already...
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, yay! 2023 had no one close to me die. Thank god. That's all I wanted from it.
5. What countries did you visit?
None. It was not a year for international travel, unfortunately.
6. What would you like to have in 2024 that you lacked in 2023?
Workplace stability. But it's unlikely. I'll settle for travel to someplace interesting, and new friends.
7. What date from 2023 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
My niece's graduation from college in May. Although I suck with dates.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Surviving my workplace? Painting 25 paintings of people I saw on the subway from memory - I'm proud of that.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Losing my temper at work? Not getting my shingles diagnosed fast enough?
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Shingles. Albeit a mild case, thankfully. Still tingles. Diabetes - under control, but still struggle with it under times of stress. Dizzy migraines.
But no COVID or flus or bad colds thankfully.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Painting supplies, clothes, books...new shoes. Oh, wait, my light quilt for my bed - invaluable.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My niece who graduated with honors from college at nineteen, drove across country and was a park ranger for the summer. Very proud.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Sigh. BYT, who sucks at managing people.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Clothes, books, healthcare...food.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Seeing my niece graduate.
16. What song will always remind you of 2023?
Running up that Hill by Kate Bush
17. Compare to this time last year are you
Happier or Sadder? Happier
Fatter or thinner? Thinner
Richer or poorer? Richer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Writing and exercising
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Dealing with annoying people, eating things that are bad for me, watching television, feeling sorry for myself, worrying about work...
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent the day with a friend, nothing special.
21. Did you fall in love in 2023?
No.
22. How many one-night stands?
None.
23. What was your favourite TV program?
Peaky Blinders
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No. No one new added to the hit list, thankfully.
25. What was the best book you read?
Killers of the Flower Moon - audio book, The Twisted Ones by T Kingfisher, and The Hellfire Gala finale for the X-men comics.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Magnetic Fields and re-discovereing, Kate Bush
27. What did you want and get?
Linen quilt, digital drawing set, book, clothing, trip to see niece graduate from college, throws, mug..
28. What did you want and not get?
Different manager. See mother at Xmas.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Oppenheimer by a mile.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Went out to dinner with a friend. Took the day off. Relaxed. 56.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Different boss?
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2023?
Black stretchy pants, knit shirts/sweater or blouse. Sneakers.
33. What kept you sane?
Writing. Painting people. Talking to my Mom, and Babs.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Cillian Murphy. (Peaky Blinders and Oppenheimer)
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Climate Change, environmental justice, and the Doofus who will not go away.
36. Who did you miss?
My Dad
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Probably new co-workers...
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2023:
Anger management? People are always more than one thing? This is temporary and will most likely change, so hang tight, and just float, and remember don't explode.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"Some days you just breath in
Just try to break even
Sometimes your heart's
Poundin' out of your chest
Sometimes it's just beatin'
Some days you just forget
What all you've been given
Some days you just get back
Yeah, some days you're just alive
Some days you're livin'
Some days you're livin'
Like you never die
Blue's a little bluer up in the sky
You're high's a little high
You feel that fire you've been missing
Some days you're living
It'a beautiful world sometimes I don't see so clear
Some days you start singin'
And you don't need a reason
Sometimes the world's just right
Your clear eyes ain't even blinkin'
Got a heart full of grateful
For all you've been given
Some days you just get by
Yeah, some days you're just alive"
- Dierk's Bentley