Happy New Year!!

I'm back from the frozen tundra that they call Minnesota!

Fortunately, I took many warm layers and a good bit of my snowboarding outerwear. As it turns out, I needed it... but not when I could actually wear it! The weather was relatively warm (above freezing) Friday and Saturday, but it was raining and drizzling the whole time. Then Sunday as we were getting ready for the wedding, the rain changed over to snow and the wind began howling.

2-3 inches fell between the hour before the wedding and the end of the reception and the wind was blowing at 20-30 miles per hour throughout. Now THAT'S what I call Minnesota weather!! I've been up there twice before and both times it was warmer there than in D.C. But this time the state didn't disappoint.

As for the wedding itself... a short and sweet 30 minute Lutheran ceremony followed by a reception that more resembled a greek formal than the typical reception where most people don't know the other people.

My favorite over-indulgence was the 28 inch tall ice sculptures in the shapes of numbers to mark the tables. And of course, I was with the rest of the mutants over at table 9!

But it seemed that everyone had a good time and I can't really complain about the 8 hour open bar... it was definitely the least expensive New Year's celebration for me (well, ever since I was legal to buy my own booze). The only expense was the cab ride... and we split that 4 ways, so I guess $10 isn't too much to pay for a long drunken romp with filet mignon and salmon in the middle.

Anyway, I'm back on the east coast, and the weather is looking great!!... Not for snowboarding, but perfect for a pedestrian's commute to work. Oh and speaking of work... Today I'm supposed to take the day off to mourn President Ford. So let's take a moment to remember all the great things he did for our nation... ... hmmm... ok... I can only remember him pardoning Nixon... Oh well, soon it'll be time to indulge my inner rebel and go to work against the current president's will.

Did anyone have a particularly memorable experience this New Year's that should be viewed by the entire world? How about viewed by the 3 people who currently read this blog (and I think I'm one of them... how sad... )

Since National Hangover Day is all about reflection on the night before (and the year before) and about setting your sights on bettering your life, I hope you all set some reasonable and exciting goals for the new year... Personally, I did not. I never do. My only goal this year is to have a blast like I did last year... but maybe not spend as much money doing it. I'm a lover of life... I simply love my own existance. I try to enjoy everything I do... note the word try... even daily household chores. I've found that this outlook on life minimizes stress and allows for better human interaction in general.

So... let's all make the world a better place this year and be nicer to our fellow peeps.

word.

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...)?