Forward!

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So yes, it's the last day of December (my favorite month for those of you keeping score at home) and, not coincidentally, the last day of 2019. A new year dawns, or so I'm told. For you see dear reader, I am something of a Grinch when it comes to these New Year festivities. No doubt much to the chagrin of my Scots ancestors. (See Hogmanay for an explanation.)

I have stayed up to watch the glitter-ball "drop" in Times Square (a place I have been some decades ago, quite an experience for a 13-yo Vermonter to see the sights of the Big Apple, lots of odd-looking folk about as I recall), I have been to a couple of New Year's Eve parties, imbibing, no doubt, more adult beverages than are probably healthy. As I'm still alive, I guess it wasn't that bad.

But it all seems so bloody artificial. I mean it's just a different date innit? Time to buy new calendars, time to remember to put a new year in the date when writing a check. (Some of us still do that.) We don't make a big deal when April turns to May do we? (Oh wait, we kinda do in some cultures.)

Every new day gives one something to look forward to, no need to get all boozed up about it. I do suppose it does provide employment for any number of little known "celebrities," well, little known to me. But when you think about it, each month gives us something to look forward to, for instance:

• January - The NFL playoffs.

(Ja, ja, ich weiß, einige von euch mögen die NFL nicht. But some of us do...)

• February - Other than the Super Bowl (see above) there's St. Valentine's Day. Other than that it's a dark, cold month, thankfully the shortest of the lot. Okay, not much to look forward to here.

• March - Any college basketball fans out there? (Calm down, calm down, I see you.) Big month for that I'm given to understand.

• April - Spring! (Unless it arrived in March.) Easter! (Well, that happens in March as well from time to time.) The colder weather is astern and we have better weather to look forward to. (Like Skip says, when in doubt, blog about the weather.)

• May - Well, my birthday falls herein, so it's a pretty big deal for me. Unlike some old-timers, I actually enjoy having birthdays. (Certainly beats the alternative!)

• June - As a kid this month contained the last day of school, much to be celebrated. As a parent, I learned that this was not so much to be celebrated but rather endured.

"Dad, I'm bored..." "Hi bored, I'm Chris." (All dads do this, it's traditional, Hell, it's kinda mandatory.)

• July - Independence Day!!!  Oorah! Oorah! After that it's just kinda hot and humid, which is wonderful if you're a beach-going type. I used to be, not anymore. (The Missus Herself was raised to abhor and fear the water, with good reason.) Good excuse to drink beer though

"Damn but it's hot out, guess I'll have a beer." 

• August - Another hot month, but due to the kids and grandkids there are a metric crap ton of birthdays in this month. The Missus Herself and I like to call this The Expensive Month. Has multiple reasons to drink beer...

• September - As a kid this month contained the first day of school, much to be mourned. As a parent, I learned that this was not so much to be mourned but rather celebrated.

• October - Halloween. Need I say more? The weather is also cooling off now, not Next Ice Age cool, but tolerable, light jacket weather. Plus there's football (see above) of the professional and college variety. Oh yeah, the World Series, that's in there somewhere in this month. (I used to watch that when it was on during the freaking day and not in the middle of the freaking night.)

• November - Ah, Thanksgiving, a much beloved holiday of mine. Not to mention that it's almost December! (The most favored month.) Usually there's pie in this month, sometimes eggnog, both things I love but can't really get away with in the other months of the year.

• December - Christmas, Christmas, Christmas. I love this time of year. Visiting with family, getting the grandkids (and kids) cool gifts, eating too much, Christmas carols, the message of the Savior... Just can't get enough. Oh yeah, there's also pie, guaranteed. Also eggnog (with bourbon, thank you very much), guaranteed.

So there you have it. A curmudgeonly view of the New Year's Eve celebration. Bah humbug.

Though truth be told, I like December the 31st much more now than I did as a wee bairn. For it is my oldest daughter's natal day. She and her siblings are gifts from God, can't forget that.

Happy Birthday Nuke!

And thus the curtain comes down on yet another calendar year.

Forward!