It’s time to ring in the new year again, after we get past the shock that it is in fact a new year, again. Tonight we are ringing in the new year but today I am ringing out the old one. I, for one, am okay with 2017 being behind us and I don’t care if the door hits it on its way out.
 
What a year, huh? I’ve been writing here for just over a year and when I read through my old posts I’m surprised I made it through mostly unscathed. Whew. 2017 was tough and scary and I’m impressed with the world for surviving.
 
We made it.
 
How are you celebrating this victory? Make no mistake, surviving 2017 is a victory. We may have lost a few battles along the way but we are still here and we are still fighting.
 
So anyway, how are you celebrating tonight? I’m sure this will come as no surprise to my regular readers but I am staying home. It’s cold in Pittsburgh and there is no place I would rather be than inside my cozy, warm house.
 
I’m not sure I’ve ever really gone out on New Year’s Eve. When I think back on how I’ve celebrated in the past, I don’t remember wearing fancy dresses to bars or clubs. Either I had a really good time or I wasn’t there. I’m pretty sure it’s the latter because every memory that comes to mind is from a party at either my own house or a friend’s house.
 
My junior year of high school I worked at Wendy’s until 11:00, got to a party at a friend’s house at 11:45, rung in the new year, then made it home in time for my extended curfew of 12:30. Not exactly a wild night.
 
One year in college a friend had a “rager” at his house and I was the bartender. The only thing I remember about that party is I put too much grenadine (cherry flavored syrup) into the drinks. Sorry again everyone.
 
Then there was the New Year’s Eve party where I announced a drunken plan to take a shot every 15 minutes until midnight. Thankfully someone stopped me.
 
In recent years I’ve spent quiet nights at home protecting my dog from the threat of potential fireworks or pot banging that happens at midnight. This year I plan to do the same, only I’ll be smiling and smirking a little more than usual.
 
Because we made it.
 
To everyone who is reading this, thanks for meeting me at my little place on the internet each week. You helped make my first year of blogging incredibly special. Now, go celebrate and come back tomorrow to find out my word for 2018!
 
Are you glad to ring out 2017? How are you spending your New Year’s Eve?