Ringin' in the New Year

I have spent New Year's Eve in a myriad of ways over the years. As a small child, I remember watching Guy Lombardo with my parents and thought that's what everyone did on New Year's Eve. As I got older, the evening's events got a bit more exciting. Except for the one year I had the flu and watched the ball drop while wrapped up in a bundle of blankets and robes shivering to death. I've danced in parking lots in single digit weather...I've videotaped the evening that would have certainly earned my cohorts in crime a shot at America's Funniest Video...and other assorted antics that would require blackmail money provided by one of my handlers who could provide the dirt (Right, Alisa?). Very rarely have two years ever been the same, and that makes for great anticipation of the fun to come.

This year I was invited to a couple of parties, but had a friend (Ashley P...the "P" because I have many Ashleys in my life...and because she is a "P"sychiatrist) call to let me know she'd be coming to town for the weekend and wanted to get together for the evening. I met Ashley back in the Spring and shortly after she unfortunately moved back to her hometown of Owensboro to take a job there. Much was my delight when she was game to spend some girl time with me and our friend, Christie, for the new year. Ashley misses Louisville and the city life here, so it was win-win for all of us. And so began another New Year's Eve unlike any other.

Ashley's only request was that she remain "blissfully unaware" that it was New Year's Eve. You see, for those of you out there that are married, or dating and haven't spent many New Year's Eves solo, this is much like the junior Valentine's Day. It's a very couples-oriented holiday. My celebrations have all been so random and quirky, I've not thought too much about that, but completely understood Ashley's request. You don't want a kiss at midnight to be from a family member or some stranger who is looking for a good time. If it's not a meangingful kiss from your beloved, you prefer the "blissfully unaware" plan. We started the evening at Macaroni Grill for some delicious Italian cuisine. What tops off a good meal? A trip to the Homemade Pie Kitchen. For those of you outside of Louisville, this wonderful local franchise provides delectable treats from pies to cookies to ice cream. We enjoyed some Dutch Apple with Caramel Pie, Chess Pie and Peanut Butter Fudge ice cream. Diets didn't resume until 2011, so we had a guiltless indulgence.

From our food ventures, it was a complete girl evening as we were off to the movies to see Tangled, the latest (and supposedly last...sniff, sniff) princess movie from Disney. In classic Disney style, this movie was well done. The story line was engaging and the music was simply beautiful. Disney seems to always get it right with matching voices to characters with Mandy Moore as Rapunzel and Zach Levi as Flynn Ryder. I could see it again, and bought the soundtrack on iTunes, if that is any indicator of my love of this movie. It was a wonderful way to ring out the old and bring in the new.

After the movie, we all parted ways "blissfully unaware" that in about 45 minutes the clock would strike midnight and a new year would be upon us. I drove home dodging drunks and made it home about 10 minutes before I watched Dick Clark countdown the last minute of 2010. Thanks to technology I was able to ring in the year via text and cell phone with those nearest and dearest to me that I couldn't be with at midnight. And another new year is here.

It was a great way to ring in the new year and different from all the rest. I strive to be unconventional. Look out New Year's Eve 2011!