New Year's Eve 2012
Definitely the day for ruling the line under things, and making resolutions for the year ahead. There’s something wonderful in the idea of a fresh start: a sequence of summer, autumn, winter and spring days not yet blemished with down days, hard days, tragic days...and ripe with opportunity and hope, and the promise of the brilliance and wonder that our world holds.
But New Year’s Eve. Is there another name for this day? One that encapsulates what it also is...not just the Eve of a brand new year, but also the end of an old one. The full-stop at the end of the 2012 sentence. And 2012 has been tough. I seem to have said ‘That’s so sad’ far too many times-so much individual and societal tragedy. (America, when will you stopbreaking breaking your children’s hearts?)
On the other hand there have moments that shone - the London Olympics and Paralympics, the re-election of Obama (well done America!), the demolition of Tony Abbot by Julia Gillard, finally addressing at least one element of what has been an appalling campaign against her.
As for me, my perspective has been clouded by a run of poor health. I spent some time in hospital in October (for surgery), and it’s taken me much too long to get over it. I probably went back to work too soon, but, really, how much choice did I have? (Don’t answer that.) I’m constantly tired. Physically, I have the stamina of a bowl of jelly...and the brain power as well. Can you be brain-tired? That’s how I feel, incredibly sl-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-w. There are so many things I mean to do, but I find it too easy to forget, or lose oomph. Add that to the sheer volume of things I have to do, it’s all too easy to let things just...slip; too tempting to give in and give up.
So this is my resolution for 2013 - just the one: ‘Remember to care’. To care about my physical health (and fix it!!), to care about being part of the world, to care about being creative and engaged and imaginative, and doing everything with my whole heart.
That shouldn’t be too hard to keep up, should it?
Speaking of highlights - The Hobbit. I’ve only seen it once, but am impatient to see it again. I saw it in its full 3D, 4fps glory, and was blown away. I can look past the (multiple) CGI orc battle scenes, the slight stretchy bits in the script, because for me it was 3 hours in Middle-earth. Like going home.
But is it sad (pathetic sad) that I know the furnishings of Bag End so well that I was looking out for a particular picture on a particular table? Checking the layout of the kitchen, of Bilbo’s study, looking for familiar things? We’ve all seen those scenes in FOTR and ROTK so often, it’s a little like looking at videos of your childhood home, and you think ‘oooh, I remember that’, and then seeing friends and family who you thought you’d never see again.
I loved Martin Freeman’s Bilbo - a lovely, nuanced performance. Even when he’s not speaking he listens, he thinks, he responds...he gives. As a group the dwarves worked well, I thought. (And, yes, the whole thing benefits from extra added smoulder and hotness. Oh yes.)
So, New Year’s Eve. I’ve already seen one set of fireworks, the 9pm ‘family’ ones. I went down to Mort Bay park along with about 2,000 other people, and enjoyed the loud, vivid, beautiful display from at least 4 of the barges set up along the Harbour. I walked home after that, and from my kitchen window I watched the illuminated boats parade. That will also be my perch for the midnight fireworks - I’m lucky enough to have a direct view of the Cockatoo Island barge. I’m glad to avoid the crowds, and stay where it’s relatively cool.
Someone out there is letting off flares. Loud bangs, bright lights. And every so often a preview explosion of sound and colour.
Time to take up my position at the kitchen sink (:P), and wish everyone a Happy New Year. May 2013 treat you well.
PS: The fireworks were brilliant. Not only could I see the Cockatoo Island ones in close-up (and I do mean close-up), but from the balcony I could see some of the main Harbour ones, plus the top of the Harbour Bridge. I kept running from one to the other, not wanting to miss a flash, fizz or sparkle.
But New Year’s Eve. Is there another name for this day? One that encapsulates what it also is...not just the Eve of a brand new year, but also the end of an old one. The full-stop at the end of the 2012 sentence. And 2012 has been tough. I seem to have said ‘That’s so sad’ far too many times-so much individual and societal tragedy. (America, when will you stopbreaking breaking your children’s hearts?)
On the other hand there have moments that shone - the London Olympics and Paralympics, the re-election of Obama (well done America!), the demolition of Tony Abbot by Julia Gillard, finally addressing at least one element of what has been an appalling campaign against her.
As for me, my perspective has been clouded by a run of poor health. I spent some time in hospital in October (for surgery), and it’s taken me much too long to get over it. I probably went back to work too soon, but, really, how much choice did I have? (Don’t answer that.) I’m constantly tired. Physically, I have the stamina of a bowl of jelly...and the brain power as well. Can you be brain-tired? That’s how I feel, incredibly sl-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-w. There are so many things I mean to do, but I find it too easy to forget, or lose oomph. Add that to the sheer volume of things I have to do, it’s all too easy to let things just...slip; too tempting to give in and give up.
So this is my resolution for 2013 - just the one: ‘Remember to care’. To care about my physical health (and fix it!!), to care about being part of the world, to care about being creative and engaged and imaginative, and doing everything with my whole heart.
That shouldn’t be too hard to keep up, should it?
Speaking of highlights - The Hobbit. I’ve only seen it once, but am impatient to see it again. I saw it in its full 3D, 4fps glory, and was blown away. I can look past the (multiple) CGI orc battle scenes, the slight stretchy bits in the script, because for me it was 3 hours in Middle-earth. Like going home.
But is it sad (pathetic sad) that I know the furnishings of Bag End so well that I was looking out for a particular picture on a particular table? Checking the layout of the kitchen, of Bilbo’s study, looking for familiar things? We’ve all seen those scenes in FOTR and ROTK so often, it’s a little like looking at videos of your childhood home, and you think ‘oooh, I remember that’, and then seeing friends and family who you thought you’d never see again.
I loved Martin Freeman’s Bilbo - a lovely, nuanced performance. Even when he’s not speaking he listens, he thinks, he responds...he gives. As a group the dwarves worked well, I thought. (And, yes, the whole thing benefits from extra added smoulder and hotness. Oh yes.)
So, New Year’s Eve. I’ve already seen one set of fireworks, the 9pm ‘family’ ones. I went down to Mort Bay park along with about 2,000 other people, and enjoyed the loud, vivid, beautiful display from at least 4 of the barges set up along the Harbour. I walked home after that, and from my kitchen window I watched the illuminated boats parade. That will also be my perch for the midnight fireworks - I’m lucky enough to have a direct view of the Cockatoo Island barge. I’m glad to avoid the crowds, and stay where it’s relatively cool.
Someone out there is letting off flares. Loud bangs, bright lights. And every so often a preview explosion of sound and colour.
Time to take up my position at the kitchen sink (:P), and wish everyone a Happy New Year. May 2013 treat you well.
PS: The fireworks were brilliant. Not only could I see the Cockatoo Island ones in close-up (and I do mean close-up), but from the balcony I could see some of the main Harbour ones, plus the top of the Harbour Bridge. I kept running from one to the other, not wanting to miss a flash, fizz or sparkle.