Happy thoughts - of Blue hair and Bertram bear

Bertie and Marge - New Year 2008

We've been talking about New Year's Eve this week. I must admit that I am not a big fan of new years. Not that I won't be happy to start writing oh-nine on my dates and there are a couple of lovely happenings I'm looking forward to in 2009 but I don't really enjoy New Year. Too much pressure to have a great time, pay over the odds for a champagne cocktail, and to make resolutions.

I think I just like to be contrary really 'cause I really do enjoy taking stock, making lists, making plans, having a party. 'Specially if there's dressing up involved. I just don't want to have to do it in time for, or on, December 31st. But that's when it happens, so that's when we do it.

It does provide a great excuse to be a little self-indulgent though (in case we haven't had our fill over Christmas) and to have some fun. I've enjoyed city centre throngs, small singsongs round bonfires on the beach, cosy cottages with party games in front of roaring fires, and fantastic firework displays over piazza splendours... all fun. I've even slept right through some. But the thing I always enjoy most is to share it with people I love. It's at times like this that I am very conscious of how far away so many of those people are.

Last year some friends held a fancy dress disco party (yes, disco - cheesy 70s and 80s music, mirror balls and all) at their home and we did have fun. 

The theme was sitcom characters and one of my favourite bears was there (one of the hosts in fact) to keep me company and twirl me 'round the dancefloor. We had a blast.  He came dressed as a doctor from the medical sitcom Scrubs. And I went dressed as a slightly jaundiced looking cartoon sitcom character. Do you recognise her?

It was a happy event and memories of it make me happy now. Memories are great things aren't they? One probably shouldn't live with and in them them so much that new ones are never made but I don't hold with forgetting the past altogether, with being only in the present. I am a reflector and often meaning comes to me when I ponder things gone by.  All those happy times have contributed to who I am now and I like to reflect on that when things aren't so happy. To remind myself that they were, and that they will be again. And who wouldn't be happy wearing blue hair? And kissing a bear? Or even thinking about doing it?

We haven't yet decided what we'll be doing this year but I rather fancy a mellower, more intimate approach - perhaps a cosy dinner party for 6, lots of candlelight, and nightcaps poured at 00:03... Long conversations about what the past year has brought and what the future might hold... Maybe a melancholy Tango. Or maybe not. Something quieter, but still happy.  And I might still dress up for it.

We'll see.