When I was a young child, the thrill of New Year's Eve was the only rule my mother put forth- if you are still awake at midnight, you get to run out onto the street and bang pots and pans.
When I was a teen, while lamenting that there was no place to go on New Year's Eve, I mentioned to a few friends that my mother always has a party- I'll ask if you guys can come. It'll be fun- we can bang pots and pans at midnight.
By the time I reached my mother (pre cell phone era) to tell her a few friends were coming over, the word got out that I was having a party.
"A few friends" became my mother's mantra when over 75 kids showed up at my house.
To this day, that New Year's Eve party is still considered the best of that neighborhood. People still talk about it.
While raising my kids, New Year's Eve was a party at my house, and if they were still awake at midnight, they could run onto the street and bang pots and pans.
I remember New Year's Eve 1983. Getting ready for 1984. Here comes Big Brother.
(Although he didn't really arrive until 10 years later.) The party became a philosophical round table. We mused and pondered and read Revelations. And at midnight, we ran onto the street and banged pots and pans.
I remember Guy Lombardo and Dick Clark. I remember when I knew the performers on the Rockin' New Year's show. I remember singing along to the familiar hits.
I remember New Year's Eve 1999- and being able to celebrate every hour on the hour. That was fun. I wish they did that every year.
Now- I just can't believe we're approaching 2012. Wow. The year to party like there is no tomorrow- for the planet is due to expire on the 21st of December. The year to preserve all our tomorrows- to revolt against the economic policies of the past thirty years and restore this country's greatness by removing the jerks from the political system.
The year to re-elect Barack Obama and put the Democrats back in control of both houses. (Although with impending doom, the results really shouldn't matter- but it will feel so good, won't it?
And then, at midnight, if you are still awake, we can run onto the street and bang pots and pans.