A Brave New Year

It’s funny how varied people’s responses are to the arrival of a new year. Some herald that annual transition with excitement and hope. To others, it means resolutions that are never kept and, to a few, it’s only a source of discontent because, after a short stay, it’s guaranteed that that “new” year will depart again leaving deeper wrinkles and bigger waistlines as parting mementos. I’m not one for resolutions. They never last and why wait for the year to change before implementing important changes in your life? There’s no time like the present. I’m also not among the mopers: those that look back at their accumulation of days with mournfulness rather than looking forward at the thrilling days still ahead of them with anticipation. There’s no time like the present. Thus, with that optimistic attitude, Jason and I awaited 2014 and celebrated its coming by attending two parties.

Jacob lost a round of Killer Oompi for which he had to roll in the snow while dancing like a crazy person. He pulled off crazy pretty well.
Jacob lost a round of Killer Oompi for which he had to roll in the snow while dancing like a crazy person. He pulled off crazy pretty well.

First, we visited the Rowleys’ and participated in the embarrassing and amusing tradition that is Killer Oompi. (It’s basically Speed Uno with penalties.) I only lost once but it was a big loss. I had to go through a very long spanking tunnel multiple times while singing my own version of “What Does the Fox Say?” to the snickering spankers. I bet you always wanted to know what the crab, iguana and narwhal say.

This group of giants represents a significant portion of my high school buddies.
This group of giants represents a significant portion of my high school buddies.
Jason seems a touch too happy here considering it's just sparkling juice that he's sipping.
Jason seems a touch too happy here considering it’s just sparkling juice that he’s sipping.

After Jason and I finished humiliating ourselves, we headed to Cam and Fran’s for a relaxed conclusion to our festive evening. Those assembled feasted on ice cream and went way down memory lane with old high school scrapbooks.

A toast to friendships that have lasted through many new years.
A toast to friendships that have lasted through many new years.

Many thanks to those that hosted gatherings that night. We gratefully welcome our few chances to be the party guests rather than the party throwers.

All in all, it was a very satisfying changeover into the new. Hello 2014! I know you’ll only be around for a bit but we’ve still got three hundred and forty-something days to rock this planet together so let’s get started. There’s no time like the present.

1 comment

  1. I tend to agree with you about resolutions. This year I didn’t make any either for exactly the reason you stated- if you’re going to make positive changes it’s silly to wait. I’m glad you guys swing by each year! I’m sad that Tom is clearly taller than me in these pictures.

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