When was our anniversary again?
Oh... right... New Year's Eve...
Apparently there's a new trend in weddings. This year, my girlfriend and I are headed to Minneapolis, Minnesota for the wedding of one of her friends. It's on New Year's Eve. Which means that I lose a much appreciated holiday. So do a few of my other friends. At least 3 people I've talked to are also headed to weddings on New Year's Eve. The one I'm going to should be a blast, so I'm not complaining about going.
So, my question is... Why would so many couples decide to tie the knot on a worldwide holiday? The only explanation I can determine is that neither of them will ever forget their anniversary. What other explanation could there be? (this is not a rhetorical question... if you have any ideas, send them my way)
The wedding I'll be attending should give me one of the best views of a fireworks display I've ever had... with the exception of that one a few years back in Gettysburg when the launcher fell over and started shooting the rockets at the spectators... now THAT was a show! The wedding couple spared little to no expense and will be holding their reception at a place called "Windows over Minneapolis." It's going to be on the top floor of a very tall building (maybe 30 or 40 floors) and from what I understand the entire floor has floor to ceiling glass windows giving the well-wishers a spectacular view of the city in any direction they choose to enjoy.
I'm assuming that the open bar will last until at least midnight, so I really couldn't ask for a better place to be for the dropping of the... ummm... .. .. well... whatever the hell they drop in Minnesota to commemorate a new beginning for their residents. Even if the booze isn't free until midnight, I'm sure I can make good use of the bartender for as long as she or he will let me. Plus, I'll be in the company of my extremely wonderful girlfriend, so what more could I really ask for.
But I truly pity those people around the country (or even around the world) who are being dragged away from their buds to attend a Catholic wedding ceremony following by a reception in a local fire hall where the only person they know is their date and MAYBE one other person that they've met once or twice before. It just doesn't seem fair to the guests. Family members of the wedding party probably don't mind since they most likely didn't have anything better to do anyway... hell, this could be the best bash they've had all year.
Now that I think about it, maybe the New Year's weddings are designed specifically to test the strength of the relationships of all those unmarried friends and family. If they can get their date to commit to this event... they must have someone who truly cares about them.
So now that you know what I'm doing... what are your plans to make the last day of 2006 memorable (or unrecoverable...)?
