New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve celebrations were tailor made for night owls like me. And some of mine have been rather memorable.

But this year I spent it completely alone. It was kind of weird.

It's not that there's always been a party. But if I was stuck without plans, at least one or two of my three kids were sure to be home, celebrating with or without their friends, running in at midnight to embrace and steal a sip of my champagne.

Not this year. First-Born Son and Daughter #1 were gone for the night with friends, Daughter #2 off at a New Year's sleepover.

And me? Well, no champagne this year. Instead I had a hot date with Netflix and a chocolate mousse brownie. Then I lay in bed and watched the ball drop in Times Square.

I wondered, did my parents feel this way when, one year, my New Year's Eve plans exceeded their own? Perhaps.

Yet it's different when there's two of you. You laugh at or with one another, and settle in for another boring night at home. Together.

It's not that I don't have friends. But they were off-island or with family. Or spending that boring night at home with their spouses.

I hesitate to even write all this down. I don't want anybody feeling sorry for me. Even though I might possibly feel just a wee bit sorry for myself.

Maybe not sorry, actually. Maybe just disappointed. I expect more. I want more. Dick Clark  himself would be hard-pressed to call this New year's Eve "Rockin'."

I'm not really worried about this becoming a habit, however. I like my late nights and social gathrings too much to settle for that.

And seriously, a New Year's Eve like this one is pretty much guaranteed to come along only once in a blue moon, right?

 

Comments

[SuziCate]

Yes, only once in a blue moon. Maureen, next year you're gonna rock that island on New Year's Eve! Hey, I do pity parties, too...it seems so much better afterwards...we are all entitled every now an dhten.

[Diane]

You're right about the moon part. But I have always thought that NYE was slightly overrated. I much prefer small gatherings for a celebration rather than large noisy spectacles. So I invited a handful of people over for a dinner party. Seemed like it would be a perfect way to bring in the new year. Do you know that no one accepted the invitation? Everyone said they were staying at home. I feel like a loser. But, whatev, it was a fabulous long weekend. So much for which to be thankful. -clink clink- :)

[PLRH]

I remember one New Year's Eve that I spent alone (sort of). I was a single mom and the boys were so little that they fell asleep long before midnight. That's the night I discovered the Reduced Shakespeare Company on PBS. I laughed so hard that I immediately went online and bought the DVD. As the boys got older, they learned to love the Bard as I do. The RSC is now a family tradition. Next year you're more than welcome to join us. FL has got to be warmer!

[Erin]

I love that photo.
We had a boring NYE, but it was w/ the other half, so I understand the alone thing.
I've spent NYE alone before and felt a little sad... I get it. It's ok to reflect on it.
Also? NYE is terribly overrated.
xo

[LPC]

2010 baby, 2010!

I'd come to any party you threw, pity or otherwise.

[Lynn]

It's funny, but I had more fun when I was single on NYE. Hubs is a real homebody, who spent NYE growing up sitting at home, eating chips and dip and watching the ball drop. He wants to do the same thing now, because "going out anywhere is too expensive on NYE," and he hates dancing. All true. Buuuut---I want to dress up and go dancing!

Our plan to go to Giordano's for pizza turned out to be picking it up and bringing it home--much to my disgust, since I really like the atmosphere at Giordano's, and the kids could have watched them toss pizzas. The only reason we got out of the house is because I suggested going to a movie rather than sitting at home with his mom. Sweet as she is.

The chocolate mousse brownie sounds good enough to stay home for!!! And next year, you're going to rock NYE. Having a contemplative ringing in occasionally isn't always such a bad thing, either.

Cheers!!

[Jen]

Thanks for stopping by my site. I always think New Year's Eve is overrated. We usually go out to dinner and are in bed by 10pm. That's usually a stretch for me staying up that late. Hope you aren't getting too much snow.

[~The South Dakota Cowgirl~]

I have spent NYE in before. In fact, there are times when I prefer that to fighting with drunks in the bar, or to fighting crowds on the dance floor. On some levels, I think that NYE is just an excuse for adults to act childish and foolish and feel that they can get away with it. I don't know if I've ever spent it alone, but sometimes alone time is good! Next year it will be different for you!

[Erin@TheLocalsLoveIt]

Your night sounds delightful to me. But I'm not a night owl and struggled to stay up until 12:01.

[Lora]

I spent NYE alone a few years ago.
I was a little bit miffed, but then when I thought about it, I thought it was wonderful. Just me and the fireworks and the ball and my thoughts and hopes and plans and reflections.

Not so bad!

[Sprite's Keeper]

Definitely once in a blue moon. Sometimes, the chips just fall that way. Since John is here, I always have the date planned, even if we're home and the house is quiet. I kinda wish it was that way sometimes when we do make plans with others. Maybe when Sprite is older and her social schedule is full, we'll be second place in plans. (As long as we retain first place in her heart.)

[Twenty Four At Heart]

I'm a night owl too but I hate NYE. Always have. Briefcase loves it and we almost always end up at some big party. Your NYE? Sounds like my ideal one.

[Midlife Mama]

Maureen, I totally hear you. I am married, but still spent New Year's Eve by myself, as Dr. Jekyll can't stay awake past 10pm on any night. But I knew that and was prepared for that, as he has not stayed up until midnight most of the five years we've been married, so the disappointment has long ago been dealt with. But as much fun as I had with my online friends, it would have been nice to have a warm body to snuggle with and kiss at midnight. So I understand the sad feeling and you're entitled. It doesn't mean no one loves you; it's just a fact of being single. Or of a night owl married to an early bird. :)

[Pseudo]

I believe that the way one ushers in the New Year sets the tone for the year to come. So I am not at all into clubs, drunks, etc at this point in my life. Perhaps the quiet contemplation of this NYE was just what you need to spend all those hours writing that new book (which, let's face it, is quite an alone kind of thing) this year.

Wishing you all the best in 2010 Maureen!

[Jan]

Well, if it makes you feel any better, I was in bed by 9:30 on New Year's Eve - Beloved fell asleep in his recliner and finally woke up and came to bed around 4 a.m.

So, technically, we spent it alone, too. LOL

[Mama Badger]

I spend NYE in the recliner with little o. PB was asleep on the couch. Not eventful, either. Little o didn't seem to care that I was sad for Dick Clark, and wondered out loud if he'd make it to 2011.

Next year you'll be out and about, I'm sure.

[Kristen]

Reading your description of your NYE, I was in no way moved to feel sorry for you. In fact, I was jealous! I imagined myself as you, indulging in quiet alone time, knowing my children were safely ensconced off the roads - rather than as myself, hoping that my teething baby and grumpy toddler would just fall asleep so I could do the same. It's a problem I have, I suppose, wishing away the now, longing for the somewhere down the road.

[Jill]

What movie did you watch?!

Happy New Year! I've so enjoyed your writing. Calls up many emotions...which is what it's all about! You hardly spent it alone...you've many fans around the World!

[blognut]

I think it's probably good for you once in a while, but next year you should go out and do something wild enough to get yourself tossed off the island. :)

Happy New Year!

[Gretchen]

You know, honestly...we went to a party. And I'd have rather been in bed with Netflix and the chocolate brownie mousse. Though I'd have probably indulged with a little champagne for myself.

[Joanie M]

I was all alone on New Year's Eve too and it was fine. I had to work that day and New year's Day and John had to work 3 to 11 NYE. Dani went to a sleepover party, so I was all alone. I spent the evening online, catching up on blogs and facebook. I picked up 2 bottles of wine on the way home from work with the intention of drinking an entire bottle that night (I had a stressful day at work). At 11:45, I realized it was near midnight, opened the bottle then and had one single glass of wine! I called John at midnight and we chatted for a while. Then I went to bed a little before 1 am.

[Jane]

My house was full this year (7 kids, 4 adults) and I was dreaming of the New Year's eve you described. The grass is always greener, huh?

[Gropius]

There is always so much pressure surrounding this holiday, and what the hell, ALL of the holidays for crying out loud. You probably did what many people actually wanted to do, only they felt it necessary to "explore the grand" for the sake of the after-report. As for me, I was asleep by 10 pm...but I did wake up in time for Dick's...er um..interesting...countdown.

[Kate at And Then I Was a Mom]

New Year's Eve is really Amateur Night. Better to stay home that night, cozy in bed, than be out with the once-a-yearers. Then you get all the other weekends to get down with your bad, wild self. :-)

Happy 2010!

[Ocean Girl]

This is when you wish for a knock on your door and that someone at your door who had just docked in wonders if you have any Worcestershire sauce.

I do that from time to time.

[jessica]

I get it. I don't think I need to say anymore. I totally get it. Oh and I love you to death.

[mere]

I understand. And sometimes we do need to write it down!

Thanks for dropping by my place!

[Geri Brin]

I spent New Year's Eve 1999-2000 alone because the man I was involved with (for 12 years) didn't want to come to NYC from Florida. (Turns out he was involved with someone else down here. He was quite a piece of work.)

So I bought a steak, a bottle of good red wine and had a great time by myself. The man died seven months later.

[Picture Imperfect]

Happy New Year my friend! I've had a few NYEs where I spent the night in with my pets too - they were a bit depressing but not entirely. It definitely gave me time to reflect on my own thoughts and goals for the year ahead, which I don't get a chance to do when I'm out partying the night away. :o)

I hope 2010 brings you blessings galore!

[kathryn]

I think your scenario is more common than you think. Why do they have to leave us? WHY? So what if we raised 'em to be independent! We also shared our bodies with them! I do believe they should do whatever we tell them to do.

Forever. (eva...eva....eva!)

(sigh.)

[Casey]

The moon was amazing on New Year's Day! Next year, take a trip to FL and hang out with us. Well, if you're a night owl, forget it. The kids were asleep by 7:30 and us by 11, lamey mclamesters here.

[Vintage Simple]

Happy 2010, dear..! I think we just feel lonely on nights like these because we are expected to be having a glass of champagne, looking gorgeous in some pretty little dress, sweetheart by our side, kiss at midnight, etc, etc. And then there's the kid part of it - I have to start steeling myself for all of that. Now. When he's barely 6.

Anyway. I know this comes in a little late, but I hope you didn't feel too disappointed. And I am glad you wrote it all down - I enjoyed reading it. And I look forward to reading more in 2010!

xoxo,
-maria