HHHAAAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Sorry, I sneezed as I typed.!!

New Year's is my least favourite time of the year.

"December 31st,
is the very worst time of the year,
Just when your'e having fun,
It's January One,
And you wait for, explanations/expectations to appear"

The words of that Pheobe Snow song have always stuck in my mind. I think of that song every New Year of my life, since I heard it.

When we were 'YP's" - ie Young Publicans- we were always expected to have a really late night, to usher in the New Year... which would include staff, sundry 'regulars', & any 'stray cops' who were without alternative destination.

I remember, one of our customers had a 'wooden foot'. He was a very good looking, & wealthy young man. His wife had just given birth to their first Son.

So, what does a young man do?? He 'shouts' all his mates a few rounds of drinks.

And of course the young mates, who are fully aware of the 'footless' situation, demand that he 'toast the baby with his shoe'.

So, he removes his 'foot' -complete with shoe- & fills it with Chamapgne. He then plants it upon the bar, announcing to all company present, "Here is to my son!!" And proceeds to pass the Boot around the gathered friends to have a drink.

Our little 'barmaid' - which is probably now, un- pc, but was ok in those days- faints behind the bar!! When she awakes she is so shocked to learn that H had a 'false foot' & she really never recovers from that shock!

I think my most miserable gripe about NYE was the fact that strangers felt they had the 'right' to descend upon me, or anyone else, with open mouths & expect to kiss -initmately- any one close. I object. People who invade my space need to be very close, or have earned the right.

I am an old Fuddy Duddy... but I dont care!!