2 posts tagged “new years eve”
As a child, New Year's Eve was thrilling because we got to stay up 'till midnight, mostly eating and watching Dick Clark get nostalgic about news events of another 1970 year, while he ticked off the traditional countdown. Close to the striking time, my family of six would rush into our suburban backyard with as many pots and pans as we could carry. We'd scream and bang the metal kitchen utensils together, joining in the neighborhood's noisy racket. A neighbor would likely have bought an arsenal of fireworks, despite the fact that they were illegal in our state, and we'd be amazed by the explosions overhead. The cops would start chasing the illegal firework blasters, but they would hop over fences and find new roofs, backyards and parks to light them off from. Some neighbors would even hide the culprits, if the police came looking. Easy, cheap entertainment and great when you are 12.
Well, this year, actually for the first year ever, my husband and I decided to actually plan something fancy and festive for the New Years celebration and we headed to Volupte Lounge for a night of cabaret, burlesque and vintage themed style. The masked ball was a popular venue for London revellers, unfortunately for punters, the organizers overbooked for the size. Plenty of entertainment was on offer - but seeing it was the hard part. I missed getting some video of the fantastic Can-Can dance, and couldn't even see the number :-(. But, I did catch host Dusty Limits who bills himself as The Dark Prince of Cabaret, doing a naughty little number of You Put a Spell On Me (see video below).
London had what the BBC reported as being the largest gathering along the banks of the Thames River for the coming of 2007 - with 350,000 people attending fireworks. The city was a generally happy place, except for a few drunken fights (99 were arrested) and there were numerous disgusting vomit piles to avoid the next day. Everyone was smiling at each other, it seemed.
At the party, Midnight could not pass without all the traditions of Champagne toast, and the singing of 'Auld Lang Syne'. Now, this is where I learned something, and I am not afraid to share my ignorance - its a Scottish tune and tradition, written by poet Robert Burns. Firstly, this is of major shame for me, as I've been married to my wonderful Scotsman for two and a half years now and did not know this. Secondly, I always thought it was 'Old Lang Sign' and who knows what the other words are. I have learned that Auld Lang Syne, losely translated, means Times Gone By. I'm very happy to say that he is not planning to divorce me in 2007, and hopefully anytime after that!
And so I offer a tribute to Scotland's heritage by noting the orgins of Auld Lang Syne and hope that others will remember its highland roots at future New Years Eve celebrations!
The Devaneys (right)
-Lisa
