New Years Eve was never a big event in my family growing up. My parents often went to bed around 9pm on a regular night and maybe stayed up to 10pm on New Years Eve. A few times we would go to my Dad's cousin house in New Jersey for dinner and then drive home about 8pm. I remember being sleepy in the backseat as my Dad listened to the New York Ranger's game on WFAN the AM radio sports station in New York.
When I was in high school one of my best friends, and fellow goalie on the hockey team, invited the family over for a party. We'd often stay till about 12:15 and then head home. We went for a few years but stopped once we were in college. I made a fool of myself singing karaoke a few times (the only and last time I've done that) and one year my brother had a little too much to drink and backed over their mailbox.
Of course, my senior year I had some of their finger foods... pigs in a blanket... and found myself throwing up all night long to the point that I slept until 8pm the next day. I'm sure my parents thought I was drunk but I didn't even have anything to drink and it was really just the food.
Once I met my wife in college we spent every New Years Eve together. We never went to a big party, just sat on the sofa, had some drinks and good food, and enjoyed each others company. After I was furloughed from my first airline I was upset that I had to work my first New Years Eve at my new airline. I was in Manchester, New Hampshire and I stayed up on the phone with her past midnight even though I had a 4am van to the airport for work the next morning. I think I was more upset than she was.
One year while I was basically living in her parents basement between days away at work we joined her parents at the bowling alley where her Dad bowls in a league. They had a big party with food and drinks, music, flashing party lights... the works. It was a bit empty and we really enjoyed ourselves. The following year the place was packed and had about half the food they provided the year earlier. On top of that it was icy and freezing rain on the way home after midnight with all of the drunks on the road and we decided that even though we had a pretty good time together that was the end of that.
Since 2012 we've owned our own home and have spent every New Years Eve together on our own sofa. We get Chinese food and watch TV... usually one of the many marathons on. The past few years we've watched The Walking Dead (before it sucked) or the Breaking Bad marathons on AMC. Around here in New York, WPIX always has the Honeymooners on after the ball drops. We used to watch a few episodes before heading to bed but lately it's all we can do to stay awake! You can read all about my favorite Honeymooners episodes on the blog here. Of course the Twilight Zone marathon on SyFy is another required viewing, for a few episodes at least. There will be a post about that soon, too! Keep an eye out.
Like most of the holidays around the end of the year it's about the time spent with loved ones. I honestly think New Year's Eve is my 2nd favorite holiday because my wife and I just hunker down in our warm house and spend the time together with our little tradition of Chinese food and TV.
With a little one on the way, what will next year bring?
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