December 31, 2007

• My traditional toast: "I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I'll say it tonight like I said it back then: THIS YEAR, IT'S GONNA BE DIFFERENT!"
• Tonight, I'm going to get as plastered as possible (I have a lovely bottle of barley wine I've been saving for the occasion, to be followed by some local champers), to erase as much of this shitty year from my memory as is possible. I'm staying in. Not only because I need to get profoundly drunk, but I've had enough of being the single guy at the stroke of midnight, waiting for everyone else to finish kissing before we can continue the evening. Tomorrow, likely some restorative Gatorade and greasy brekkie, followed by board games with two lady friends of mine who are coming over, and then working on a Cornish hen for dinner -- my first time cooking a bird. Fuck you, 2007.
• Our ritual is the same every year: we invite about half a dozen good friends over for dinner and drinks. I cook, and the one rule is that whatever's on the menu must be something I've never prepared before. This is to increase my blood pressure and therefore emphasize the soothing effects of red wine and Kentucky bourbon. So far it's worked well, but this year the menu is all Indian fare, which has me terrified. WTF is tamarind paste? Probably this will end with us building a fire in the chiminea out back and waiting for friends to sober up enough that they can drive home without fear of accident or imprisonment. Be safe, everyone. I don't do resolutions for the same reason I don't give up anything for Lent: my vices, such as they are, keep me sane and are very much a part of who I am. Occasionally the day comes when I kill one off (bye-bye pot, bye-bye promiscuous bachelorhood, bye-bye tobacco), but such days only arrive when the Spirit (or my lovely wife) moves me. A calendar can't tell me when it's time to set aside childish things. I do have goals for the year, if you want to call them resolutions, but they're sort of the predictable "set yourself up so you're not screwed when this job goes away" type stuff that is perennial. Increase amount of freelance work, set up business site-slash-increase online presence, dust off coding skills and expand. Oh yeah, and there's that project I have with gomi...
• Hope your 2008 is better, Cap'n.
• As for traditions, this will be the third year in a row that I have to do the airport run to drop Sister Renault off for her New Year's Eve flight to England. Does that count?
• I've also had a couple of absolutely crappy years in a row. I'm not by nature superstitious, but I tossed the I Ching at a friend's house and she told me got a super cool reading (29 "Admonishment" turning into 2 "Earth.) 2008 is going to be the start of a good run. And as for the new years meal, I kinda like black eyed peas and collard greens anyhow. Besides, it couldn't hurt.
• I just moved back to Texas, so my big goal for next year is to get a job, after 4 years out of the market. All our traditions were from when we lived in Houston, and we never developed them in New Jersey, so we're doing a new thing this year (visiting friends who are throwing a small do) and hoping it becomes our new tradition. I'm sure I'll go out tomorrow and have black-eyed peas, yum. Collard greens, not so much.
• I was going to head over to MCT's place - I love Indian - then I was going to smoke a cuban cigar, drink some port, and vow to stop making resolutions that I have neither the strength of will or patience to actually follow through on. Which would include this one.
• A New Year's Resolution: Use Less Plastic
• i'm at a loss, i actually succeeded at my resolution for 2007, so i'm not sure i want to push my luck for 2008.
• I made a big pot of Hoppin' John for New Year's Day 2007. I didn't exactly have GOOD luck this year, but a couple of things that could have been really BAD didn't turn out for the worst. So I don't know whether to make some tomorrow or not.
• I'm with homunculus, but even more general: use less. I'm applying that to all sorts of things, including packaging, time spent commuting, gas, coffee, etc.
• I got a big pot of blackeyed peas'n'hawgparts on right now, for tomorrow afternoon- 17 pounds of peas, about five or so pounds of smoked hawg, other stuff- cawnbread too. It'll all be gone by sundown.
• Onwards and upwards. I'll kiss ya, cappy!
• This year is Ottawa's 150th anniversary. There's going to be big fireworks and explosions and stuff tonight on Alexandra Bridge. I'm taking my mum (she's been having some health problems and hasn't been able to get out) to see the excitement, and then afterwards we shall partake of a giant roast turkey which I cooked up yesterday, my first! Resolutions: go on an adventure. spend less time online (yer right). write lotsa fiction. try to relax. read more pomes (Granma made me write that). Try to figure out 'Road to Reality' by that Penrose character. HAPPY NEW YEAR MONKEYS!
• Like usual I'll get naked and just roll up in a fetal ball and moan "rosebud" till the dawn aproaches. Happy New Year to all and especially to the Cap'n and others who have had a crappy year.
• Ah, "board games." *eyebrow wiggle*
• We're already consuming less, and I went through the Christmas shopping period without using a single plastic bag -- a small victory but a good start. This year will be about family, I hope, about good times with immediate family, seeing more of extended family, and more of our close friends who are family too. I want to be more positive in general this year, after discovering I am officially a Depressed Person. So dealing with that, basically, and appreciating my family more as a result. And you guys, who don't cause me as much stress these days. I haven't had much time to give to MoFi this year and I feel like I'm just another member (which is good but also not good), but I still enjoy it, and the people, and the posts, and the injokes, and I lament the lack of new blood but it's a comfortable rut to be in mostly. This year won't be much different in terms of my time commitment (thanks university, you bastard), but I hope I can work on some administrative improvements that you won't notice, like more efficient authentication and bot/spamproofing. And I've had my new year's partying already and I am really, really tired.
• mr medusa & I are hosting a party. I don't make resolutions either, but I do have some goals I'd like to work on/accomplish/whatever this year: working on my novel getting back in shape drinking less etc. I hope all monkeys have a safe & happy evening & that 2008 will be a wonderful year for all of us!
• This is kind of silly and embarrassing: since I was twelve or so, I've done the same thing every year. I take a long, hot bath (and rinse off under the shower if I can), timing it to end as close to midnight as I can, so that at the stroke of midnight I am naked and clean and have washed as much of the old year off as possible. When I have lived places where it was feasible (rarely), I have contrived to be outside at midnight, as well. That's at least memorable when it's cold. Maybe eventually I'll have a year I don't feel like washing off. Maybe I'll start fiddling with the timing this year. Maybe I'll just get stupid drunk like everyone else.
• I think the dilettante approach is the most appropriate ritual I have ever heard of. Tweak: stay outside, clean and naked, all year. Hire locals to remove nipple icicles.
• (also, at midnight, I have a secret list of special Mofi's who I will will be virtually kissing via my Kiss-O-Matic Machine. It will be wet. Just so you know where the kiss slop came from).
• Most pregnant NYE EVER. We stayed in and were watching TV during which I fell asleep and Mr Gomi woke me up after midnight so I could crawl into bed. Wheee it was mild! Happy 2008 monkeys!
• *wishes all monkeys a happy, healthy, fun, prosperous and secure new year, even teh lurkerz*
• I will be remembering a New Year's Eve smile 4 years ago on Lavalife* that culminated in me moving this year to live with a very interesting monkey of the French persuasion. We will be competing fiercely at a goofy brick-breaking video game and probably fall asleep before midnight. I resolve to stay up later next year. *Hang in there, Capt!
• Not quite nine, probably be in bed at midnight, as usual. I'll probably go out before I go to bed and look at the (frozen) starlight. Used to stay up and take the broom to sweep the old year out of the house, now don't bother. Bad years or good years, they're all a part and parcel of my life. I hope this year is better than the last few, but I won't be able to tell you that till this time next year, so might as well lean forward and enjoy the ride. Party? Not hardly. I don't do stupid drunks, lethal driving, or hangovers. Resolutions? Not going to write down anything formal, but I do know something's going to have to change in my life, and I'm going to have to be the one to do it. *sneakily hangs out industrial-size mistletoe, does a few lip stretchs* Line up, gang. Trac gets a big buss first, for creating this zoo, and Capt'n, you're next. Doubles--wet, maybe some tongue. HEY!!!!! Come back here you rascal!! I may be old and wrinkled, but I don't kiss like your granny did!
• Appy noo Jeer
• Indeed. One bottle of Trius Brut, followed by chaser(s) of Red Cap and late nite 007, this year is already far superior to the last...
• My head hurts.
• Oh, mine too. Oh yes. Mmm the achey-ness. Hoo boy. The Indian food was a goddamn slam dunk, I'm happy to report. We have new stuff to add to the recipe repertoire. My house smells like curry. Much fun was had by all. Happy New Year, everyone. Except those selfish bastards that don't have their doughnut shops open.
• I was reading Daniel Clowes in bed as the New Year struck. I resolve to read more Daniel Clowes in bed, because I found it enjoyable. Happy New Year, everyone.
• Not so loud, please...
• Surely you mean "recirtoire."
• Why is my PC fan so LOUD this morning? (err... afternoon). And who is that on our couch? I think my new years resolution for '08 will be to not do anything like last night ever again.
• I had a couple of friends over and we wrapped the night up at around 1:30am. I woke up this morning at 11:30 and am again having friends over, this time for the black eyed peas, greens and cornbread I am cooking/re-warming. This is going to be a great year for all of us.
• I'm happy to say that I'm only moderately hung over :)
• Blackeyed peas here as well. We do kale instead of collard greens (it taste better). We also made chipotle mashed sweet potatoes, cornbread, chicken, chicken sausage, steamed carrots and steamed zucchini, and beer. We played Arkham Horror until about 11:45 PM with a couple of friends.
• For me, it's mustard greens. My sister-in-law does them every year for Christmas with pork, a bit of heat, and a bit of vinegar. I seem to be the only one here who is really into them, but I'm still picking at the leftovers.
• Just recovering now from the worst hangover ever. Had a great evening with friends (80's themed party) and drank entirely too much. Best wishes to you all for a great '08. My only resolution is to meet up with Ralph & the Captain (and any other local monkeys) at some point in the year.
• Did the New Year's day traditional Chinese restaurant meal. Am now full and happily belching after overeating. Had the good luck pork and rubbed the Buddha's belly. Let the New Year begin!!
• I kinda liked 2007. Happy new year to all!
• I'm with boney. I thought 2007 was kind of awesome.
• Had a great evening with friends (80's themed party) and drank entirely too much. See, that last part was my 80s theme. You know, during the 80s that was pretty much entirely the theme for me. 2007, while not amazing or anything, was way ahead of 2006 in the tolerating it level.
• Fatso slept until 8 a.m. Plumber showed up on time and charged me less than $100. This afternoon, I get a massage. 2008 is all right by me so far.
• Fatso slept until 8 a.m. Yes, but what about the baby?
• My New Year's involved explosions, spiced ale and no kisses. Resolutions: Get my BASSC actor-combatant certificate Sing more good auditions Stop finishing people's... --sentences for them? yup.
• I have that habit too, Pallas Athena. Bad, bad habit.
• I do that too, only I say smarter things than they would have, for which they are always grateful. "Do you know what ..." -- the theory of relativity is? Duh, who doesn't! "I had three, um ..." -- pies cooking in the oven at once? You are a brilliant chef! "That guy who ..." -- they called MISTER TIBBS? That is Sidney Poitier, my friend! "Koko, could you ..." -- accept praise for being brilliant so much? Of course! Thank you!
• I AM SO GREAT, I AM SO GREAT, EVERYBODY LOVES ME, I AM SO GREAT!
• Ooooh! I just thought of a new New Year's resolution! To be even MORE GREAT!! As if that were possible! But I'll certainly try!
• You're a great big something, anyway...
• Thank you!
• Wait a minute ... are you saying I'm fat?
• *I'm* saying you're one of the folks that make MoFi such fun. Thank you.
• i've seen koko in person, and i can verify, *not* fat. and, she's fun in person,too, tick.
• But then, there's the hoodie issue.
• shit.
• She's kind of strumpety too, I hear. That's the word on the street, anyway.
• I heard her number is written on the wall of every pub men's room in London. I'm sure that's an exaggeration. I would guess 50-60 tops.
• ... and what do we have to do to get the Tool's Indian recipes, pray tell?
• Dang!!! I meant Indian cuisine recipes. Pardon.
• I'll try to get them up on Monkey Kitchen by the weekend.
• Am I the only one who took this long to recover from New Year's Eve?
• Yes.
• Yeah, but you have to enjoy that post-holiday period where we're all at work, but no one actually wants to do work, so no work comes in for you to do because your upstream people are feeling as groggy and lazy as you are. January 2-4 are like the world's unofficial holiday. Come this Monday, everyone will feel obliged to hit the ground running. I'm not looking forward to it.
• I'm going to renew my resolution not to curse. So much. So there.
• Belated festive felicitations, Monkeys. May your Annus be Mirabilis!
• My what?
• Just keep your handses off my annus, you miserable little mirabilis!