Fireworks or Noiseworks

This was written on 31 Dec 2007

I think I am the only person on Earth who doesn't like New Year's Eve.
I don't just not like it. I.Hate.It.

I was there with everyone else on 31 December 1999, in the CBD standing with my eyes pointed skywards, taking in the wondrous sight of the sky lit up. That night was fun. Being the only non drinker present and therefore the designated driver, it was kind of scary (funny later, but scary at the time) watching drunk fools (friends of my husband's), think it would be a "great idea" to break into the roof top of the Grand Hyatt to watch the fireworks from a 360 degree vantage point. Hmmm. Anyone with a hint of sobriety could see that this plot was flawed, but who was I to interfere? So there we were at around 10 minutes to midnight, screwdriver in hand (not my hand), breaking the lock to the door that leads from the stairwell to the roof. Unfortunately, and much to my horror, we were greeted (not too warmly I might add) by the owner of the building and about 80 of his black tie clad friends. What made Stu's friends think this big wig was going to let us plebs join in their festivities I don't know, but only when the call for "Security" rang out, did they get the notion that perhaps this wasn't the wisest idea. Whilst one of Stu's friends argued with the man in vain, we ran. Fast. I'm not sure at what point we thought it safe to get out of the stairwell and move instead to the elevator, but the pessimist in me said that I was going to spend the Millenium Eve in a lift being chased by hotel security. Luckily, we got out of the hotel OK, caught up with Stu's friends and made it out onto the street just in time for the boom!

Since then, small children have infiltrated our lives and the past few NYE's have been spent at home, in our PJ's, watching the fireworks on TV. This is fine by me. But in more recent times, our neighbours have decided to try and outdo the experts and have a bit of a fireworks extravaganza of their own - right in front of our friggin' house. And it's loud. Very loud. Waking up the kids aside, it scares our cat, sets off a 4 hour bark fest from every dog in a 10km radius and basically pisses me right off.

So here I am, NYE 2007, in bed. Yes, already. Last gasp of junk food at my side (note new year's resolution doesn't start until midnight)...watching Elton John live in concert (on TV). Just waiting for all the noise to start.