The flag of piracy flew from my mast, my sails were set wing to wing
I had a jukebox graduate for a first mate, she couldn’t sail but she sure could sing
I pushed B-52 and bombed them with the blues with my gear set stubborn on standing
I broke all the rules, strafed my old high school, never once gave thought to landing
I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd, but when they said, “Come down,” I threw up
Ooh… Growin’ up
Lyrics by Bruce Springsteen
At festive and New Year time it is customary to visit relations with the odd neighbour thrown in for good measure. In our family from one day to the next you can find yourself antipodean/Question of Sportian either home or away. It’s never bothered me one way or another as we’re all one big happy family. Playing host or guest doesn’t matter as the venue may change, the friendliness stays the same.
Party tricks and parlour games at these get togethers have evolved over the years and games from the Wii console are good for a laugh in company. Singstar being popular this year; last Christmas it was Wii sports. My Singstar duet with my auntie “Don’t go breaking my heart” was a bit repetitive with not much starry singing though I think I redeemed my reputation with a dazzling fake falsetto solo version of “Karma Chameleon”. This classic song was when the Boy had hair; his best incarnation, in my opinion.
On Boxing Day while at my brother-in-laws, I made the excuse that on account of the bad weather we’d have to leave at 11 PM. In reality, I was wanting back to watch day two of the Melbourne Test. My niece nearly choked on her Bacardi breezer. She said “You can’t go home at this time”. And that’s when it dawned on the old uncle that is me, the transformation in her.
I’d always pictured her as the quiet young girl who would be a female Peter Pan and never grow up. Now she’s a young woman and regularly goes clubbing with friends. Her parents always worry when she’s out late and I could emphasize with them as I fret over mine when they’re out socialising.
It’s definitely a generation thing because my parents wouldn’t get a wink of sleep whenever I was out late. I’d try and tip toe into the house at four in the morning but drunkenly knock something over. This was an excuse for my mother to appear though I knew she hadn’t been sleeping at all.
This year I am going to be a transformer. You can’t stop the young from getting old so I will let them enjoy those glorious youthful days without burdening them with adult angst. Rather than adding years to me by worrying about my offspring I will now look at their wondrous outlook on life and hopefully this will rub off on me and take a few years off me. Just like them, I’m going to treat every day like a New Year’s day.
Happy New Year to you all.
Boadicea's Chariot 
Haw, JW
A good New Year to you and yours. Getting it over quickly in your case, knowing your antipathy to us traditionalists and the fact that we’ll be extending the greeting for months to come.
More importantly, it is a disgrace to the good name of Caledonia (stern & wild) and its Hogmanay celebrations that we have both surfaced this early on Ne’erday. My excuse is the Embran derby which is an hour away. What’s your excuse.
Happy New Year John.
Lets hope that at the end of season 2010/11 the Jambos finish second.
As this is the internet I could lie and say I’ve not been to bed yet though the quality of my typing dismisses that statement. It has been an unbelievable few weeks as you know I don’t drive in bad weather so the car has been parked for a fortnight. This has given me lots of time to work on my drinking handicap. Have a few visitors over this afternoon so had to rise early and re-stock the fridge.
I will be monitoring your GNY comments. This is a different website and I will complain to the admin if I feel you are going over the top, over egging the pudding or over extending the greeting.
Excellent outlook. Enjoy your drinks! I have done the rounds at New Year in Glasgow and still like to have a travelling bottle of scotch during the Christmas and New Year festivities, especially visiting friends and family.
A Happy New Year, JW.
This certainly cheered me up, which was absolutely necessary.
I’m not entirely sure about this business of treating every day as New Year’s Day.
I had to drag my very tired and slightly hung-over self to yet another party today; I think I’ve had enough now. It’s all been hugely enjoyable but I cannot believe that it is a Good Way to Live! 😉
Happy New Year JW.
Indeed one should look at every day as the “Beginning of the Rest of One’s Life’.
Happy New Year Papaguinea,
The NY celebrations up here aren’t what they used to be, in all honesty. I try my best to keep the tradition alive, it’s a tough job but somebody…
I liked your comments on my previous post about your shooting skills at Ibrox. The weather has curtailed my five-a-sides matches for the last month and I fear my waning skills will have waned more.
Happy New Year Araminta,
Moderation goes out the window at this time of year and immunity from hangovers is a must. As you say, it’s not very clever and in the middle of the week sometime I must get round to driving again. That’s with the car, of course, and nothing to do with golf.
Happy New Year Boadicea and Bearsy,
Very sorry to hear of the flooding in Queensland and for my part, when aid is needed geography or status in the world shouldn’t come into it. Keep up the good work on your excellent Chariot.
The thought of your falsetto version of “Karma Chameleon” chilled my very spine and made me glad that Guitar Hero is the only musical foray Wii have made here (although I usually join in with Hit Me With Your Best Shot). 🙂
Family get-togethers at Christmas are the best, aren’t they? Sounds like you had a good one!
Best wishes for an excellent 2011.
Just seen your comment, Jan. Happy New Year to you.
The oldies don’t like GH so Singstar it was. The limited songs on the disc caused a stir. Some partygoers insisted they sing their favourite tunes sans musical accompaniment. Egad, is all I can say.
Talking of guitars, this year I resolve to improve with the real thing. I hit a bit of a Pink Floyd brick wall with my guitar development. Here we go again.
G D C