Isn't New Year's Eve the day the anti-blink rules don't apply?
Update: I had to shoot the blinky marquee. Couldn't help myself.
Maybe tomorrow I will look back but I got up this morning and realized that '07 - '007 no less - was less than 18 hours away already. I had though that the seventh year of a decade was an important one. This was mainly out of pop music, given the important of '57, '67 and '77: rock and roll, psychedelic and punk. Even '87 had that blip of folky-rock or alt-country or whatever it is that I associate with the Pogues and all. 1997? I have no idea. It was the last year I was not a Dad. It was the year of the Buena Vista Social Club was released. Together the previous two facts likely resulted in '97 being the last but glorious year I had a stash of good cigars. It would be nice if music were to take an interesting turn and not just some claim that the Arctic Monkeys are proof that everything is new because they were popular on the internet. That's like saying blogs changed politics because Dan Rather got the boot one way or another. 2007? Perhaps it will be something Romanian that will surprise us - but not likely.
It will be a year of politics as Ontario has an election fixed and there is likely going to be another Federal vote. Neither prospect inspires me, though the building of public infrastructure at the former level is a heck of a lot more interesting than the prospect of the new and strange deconstructionist conservatism in the latter for any extended length of time. I like my politicians to actually stand for something.
And after music and politics - what is there that defines? Sport is great but one game merges with the next. It is safe to say in 2007 all the games will be played and the awards will all be given out. I will dream of kicking field goals but I will not kick one myself. I will swim and I will shoot a few hoops at the elementary school yard down the road and I may even ride the bench in soccer but I will not kick a field goal.
More than anything 2007 may be the year of the yard. I may travel less given my need to tend the patch. I have taunted a relative into a test of fig growing prowess. Have you? I think not. I have tomato seed packets to select, rhubarb roots to bury and apple trees to espalier - it is good that espaliering is a word. I may buy tools. I will consider the proper form of lawn chair to drift into a nap upon, one that will fit entirely into the shed if I remove all those tools and the bikes so that I may be a man having a nap in a shed on a warm summer afternoon due to unexpected rain leaving no other option. That, I am convinced, is all that each man truly desires in life.
These are about all the things I can say about 2007 with any certainty. I lack the resolve to resolve and expect, even hope, that twelve months today the things needing changed will be familiar and comforting in their way. I hope I will be happy with that as I hope you will be happy with your next calendar year.
Comments
gorthos - December 31, 2006 8:05 am
We have no "garage" at the new place, which given the excessive cost amazes me, however the idea of a shed in the woods where one can putter at such important things as an afternoon nap due to rain, unidentifiable noises in the woods, unwanted visitors to the homestead, Bruce Campbell running by screaming, a ringing phone, a visual sighting of bee etc. is a most excellent idea. WIth 2.2 acres, 75% of it rock and trees, I am sure I can find a hidey spot for a nap shed.
cm - December 31, 2006 10:14 am
Rhubarb is one of those plants that I never imagined anyone actually planting. I always thought it was simply <i>there</i>. Happy Almost New Year, all!
Gordo - December 31, 2006 1:40 pm
<p>2006 was the year of the cottage here. Now, the building is finished, so I won't be banging nails on the Island every weekend. I expect 2007 will be the year of the yard as well, here.
<p>I have two apple trees to remove and a play structure to relocate, a lawn to organically tend to and grapes to improve upon. I may look into a pergola as well: the steel conduit structure that holds the grapevines over the back patio has worn out its welcome.
Marian - December 31, 2006 3:04 pm
Buék as they say here. It means Happy New Year and Merry Christmas. Boldog Uj Évet és Kellemes Karacsonyt!
Paul - December 31, 2006 4:38 pm
Happy New Year Alan !
Alan - December 31, 2006 5:20 pm
This post is two naps in my past. What fine vacation this has been. Plans tonight? None. Happy New year to you all. Tonight my stats package creates a fifth calendar year in which this blog has existed.
David - December 31, 2006 5:25 pm
Happy New Year's, Al & all.
gr - December 31, 2006 5:57 pm
'06 was fantastic for us, we are fortunate to say, and best of all, had a chance to raise a glass for the first time, then a few more times, with Alan. Here's to few more in '07 Alan, and many of the rest of you.
Mike C - December 31, 2006 6:08 pm
Happy '007 to Al and all as well. My Chinese food is heating up as I type, my only New Year's Eve plans thus revealed.
Mike
Gordo - December 31, 2006 6:22 pm
<p>We're having a ham dinner and watching movies. The nine-year-old desperately wants to stay up until midnight. We'll see if he lasts. ;-D
<p>Happy New Year, Al & All!
cm - December 31, 2006 6:39 pm
I'm off to the Horseshoe to see the Sadies. Hopefully I'll last until midnight myself. :-)
David Janes - December 31, 2006 11:34 pm
Ha. 12:03 NL time! Happy NY suckers...
Alan - December 31, 2006 11:57 pm
I know that's just the black rum talking. Three minutes to Atlantic Canada going '007.
Marian - January 1, 2007 1:30 am
Photos of New Year's here in Budapest are up.
Gorthos - January 1, 2007 7:33 am
I fell asleep at 9:50 or so watching outtakes on my new Clerks II dvd, then I woke, asked spouse if she wanted to go to bed, she said yes and we were asleep shortly afterwars. Thats a record for us, usually we fall asleep on the couch sometime before midnight.
cm - January 1, 2007 10:02 am
And there was me thinking I was the first one up. Morning, everyone!