Happy 2011!

Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2011 to everyone who reads this.

How do you approach the new year? Do you party like it’s 1999 or do you stay at home? Are you glad or sad to see the old year leave and the new one arrive? Do you agree with Lord Alfred Tennyson who said, “The year is going, let him go; ring out the false, ring in the true.”, or do you side with Mark Twain’s thoughts on celebrating the new year: “New Year’s is a harmless annual institution, of no particular use to anybody save as a scapegoat for promiscuous drunks, and friendly calls and humbug resolutions.”

Me, I’m not a resolution maker. I used to make resolutions faithfully when I was younger, but I’m old enough now to be able to find disappointment easily enough without having to add to the pot with failed promises.

Does that sound pessimistic? Writer Bill Vaughn defines New Year’s Eve optimism and pessimism as, “An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.” I can’t tell you the last time I was awake at midnight that wasn’t because I had to, you know, to to the bathroom!

 I’m not sure if you’re an optimist or a pessimist but this cheery song to get 2011 off on a good foot might help make you make up your mind.

Hmm… yeah, maybe that’s not the best song to start off a new year, huh?