Holy Hogmanay!

Wait. What? 

I said... Holy friggin' Hogmanay Batman! Can't you hear?

It's the last day of the year... How the hell did that happen? In a matter of hours, this fine (*cough*) 2010 shall soon fade away in a draught cider & food induced haze, sneaked ciggies in the car park (*cough*), fireworks at midnight, and the laughter of sugar-crazed children wafting up from the basement of our friends' West Seattle home. Thank the heavens too that the kids won't have to be cooped up inside with all the adults this year, as it's been sunny and clear for the past few days here in Seattle. For all I care, they can run about like mad little bunnies outside in the crisp 20-something degree air.  

Bundle up! Whee! And Happy New Year, you little maniacs!

By the way,  Hogmanay is a Scottish tradition. We used to play a fun game of the same name at my childhood friends New Years Eve bashes back in CA. But they're Irish/German so who knows where the heck they got it? We just liked the sound of it. It's funny. Especially when you're drunk. Just sayin'.

Some day, I'd love to travel back to Edinburgh and participate in the 4-day Hogmanay celebrations there. That would be awesome. I loved Edinburgh when I was there a 1,000 years ago (okay, it was actually 1989 and I was 22 years old, which is almost 1,000 years ago). I have to also say, there are very few things that get me half as riled up as a Scotsman in a kilt (*cough*), or a dozen Highland pipes blaring mournful tunes across verdant fields. It stokes a fire in me people. FIRE.

Ah, but I digress. It's New Year's Eve my friends. And that means it's time to bid this past year adieu and move forward into 2011. I'm ready. Are you? 

This has been an interesting year, to say the least. My job-search has been a series of ups and downs in the last 2 months since I began my search in earnest, but I'm actually hopeful that I'll land an awesome job sooner rather than later. I can't allow myself to believe otherwise. Why would I? That's not how I roll. Dexy is well and a typical crazy 4 and 1/2 year old. Her dad is settling in to a life in Seattle, though I suspect he's not settling in too well with the cold. HaHa. The house is holding together. My friends are awesome. I still love it here as much as ever. This city is pretty much my version of heaven on earth.

And so is with hope that I wish you a wonderful New Year ahead. May it be all you wish for, and more. May it be prosperous, fun, adventurous, filled with love and laughter, and most of all, may it hold a PEACEFUL outcome for all.

Meanwhile, I lovingly (and smirking-ly) provide the following for all those of you who don't actually know the lyrics yet want to sing it at the top of your lungs this very night without looking (too) foolish... Cheers! See y'all in 2011!

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Auld Lang Syne

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

we'll take a cup of kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!
and surely I’ll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since days of auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give us a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS