Shattering Me Some Lang Syne

~ snakesinthegrass2014
Source: You Tube
The ending of “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Source: You Tube

Whew. Stick a fork in it and let’s roll out of here already. Never mind popping corks to celebrate the new year; let’s just swig directly from the bottles, toss ’em in the garbage, and then forget the old one. Whoever shatters the most glass can apparate directly to 2020.

Forget that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named¹ fellow for a minute, I’m actually gobsmacked by losing so many iconic recording artists in one year. I could write a whole post devoted to all of them, but I’ll settle on at least mentioning just one: Maurice White, September will never be the same for me ever again. Novembers probably also. This was indeed a tough year.

Source: Bossip.com
Maurice White
Source: Bossip.com

Still, ’tis best to still move forward with a stiff upper lip and a hope for a better year ahead. In order to do that, however, I’ll need to review the resolutions I made last year.

Most of my promises were thankfully made with tongue firmly in cheek. I’ve learned over the years not to get too carried away with these exercises in self-improvement. Ask for the moon but settle for the stars and all that.

See, I was an extra good boy back in 1967, yet I still never got that four-level service station I wanted in the previous year’s Sears Wish Book. You may say it’s all about kindness and humanity, and you’re probably even right about that. But really all I think about still are the toys. Plus the endless search for a lower deductible and co-pay.

Source: Pinterest
1967 Sears Wish Book “four level garage.” Source: Pinterest

In reconciling last year’s resolutions, I’m happy to report that I did indeed fulfill my desire to have personal visits with two of my far-flung siblings. I had been estranged from one of them for a time, so it was good to reunite and put the past (mostly) behind us. Sadly, some tensions grew in the past 12 months with a third sibling, and so I’m kind of back to square one on the karma chart. One step forward, one step back.

My promise to support local organizations and groups was an utter and massive fail. Not only did we allow our memberships to the art museum and botanical garden to lapse, but we also never attended one local performing arts production during the entire year. And my thought about volunteering? It was a victim of my desire to chase the almighty dollar instead. I can do better.

So among the minor (and in most cases inconsequential) promises I made to myself last year…

We never did watch more of Conan O’Brien. It turns out he’s not a favorite of Gorgeous, and moreover we seem to only have enough patience to catch up with a Stephen Colbert episode one or two times a week. Sorry, Conan. I still like you, though.

I did continue to send contributions to a slew of worthwhile organizations last year. For instance, in addition to the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, we also gave to the American Red Cross after observing the damage inflicted by Hurricane Matthew in our state and those north of us. It’s still not too late give a tax-deductible gift; just click one of the above links.

I ended up only reading two fiction books all of last year (Trollope’s “The Way We Live Now,” and Eskens’ “The Guise of Another.” Huge, nonfiction biographies seem to be like a narcotic to me. I’ve promised myself to read a Charles Dickens novel later this year, though.

I finally replaced the CDs which sat in my car’s player for nearly two years, but I unfortunately only did so once. So again, my embarrassing lack of laziness means that I have probably listened to “Music From Big Pink” at least 30 times during all of 2016. If Levon Helm were still with us, I suspect he’d glance at me with concern and say, “Dude…“

Source: Amazon.com
Source: Amazon.com

Nevertheless life is full of second chances and do-overs. What wasn’t achievable this past year for whatever reason, we have another opportunity to make attempts at personal growth and redemption. Or as I once misheard a poem as a kid, “Hope springs a turtle.”

For 2017, I resolve…

To work on that relationship with the third sibling. It takes more than text messages and letting phone calls go directly to voice mail each time to heal wounds. It takes a few long and sincere conversations. I know what I need to do.

To think more about forgiveness. It actually starts with that person I see in the mirror every morning.

To drink more water. My overzealous and truly obnoxious urologist made me go in for an image of my kidneys a couple of weeks ago. Micro stones are apparently visible from the x-rays. Unless I want a return to previous kidney stone drama, I better get with the program. Bottoms up, so to speak.

To start signing my name to comments I make on some of the excellent blogs I follow. Many of those bloggers are referring to me as “Snakes.” Oops, my bad.

To not focus as much of my attentions to the daily machinations and intricacies of politics and governance. This will be a challenge because so much is always at stake, and turning away and ignoring it all is worse. But I’m already groaning and cringing each time I read the news, and January 20th is fast approaching. Pace yourself, brother.

To explore more of the subtle complexities and beauty of the custard-filled doughnut. Hey, I’m not casting judgment on your resolutions.

Source: Images Buddy
Source: Imagesbuddy.com

So shatter those glasses and bottles to your heart’s content. Just clean up afterwards for the sake of the kiddies, the pets, and my tires.

I am incredibly grateful for the many comments and “likes” by those who read this blog over the last year. Thank you for the feedback and words of wisdom, even after a few of my cringe-inducing posts. Happy New Year!

Until next time…

 

¹ Ding-Ding-Ding!!!! Two Harry Potter references in one post!

 

41 thoughts on “Shattering Me Some Lang Syne”

  1. I would give you an “A.” Life happens and there needs to be goal adjustments (that’s what our IT department said whenever they didn’t hit their corporate goals!). I hate water…at least drinking it. I try to get enough juicy food to compensate. Does floating in it count? Have a great new year Marty! (I never call you snakes!)

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    1. Thanks, Kate! It’s one of the pitfalls of having a semi-anonymous blog. 🙂 I think floating in water does actually at least move the stones around — and if they’re small enough they can leave my body without any damage. That’s a theory anyway.

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  3. I received that four-level service station for Christmas one year. My granddaddy owned a couple of Fina stations and I was obsessed with being just like him, so he bought that for me. I played with it for years, even after my interests turned to Barbie dolls, I found ways to incorporate the gas station. It wasn’t to their scale, so the station usually had to be a workshop for trolls or elves.

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      2. My barbies weren’t the average girly girls. My mom had been given some fake fur samples and soon my dolls were cave people. They also went to space. Precursors of my sci-fi fascination.

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Those look like pretty good resolutions for 2017… especially the ones about water and forgiveness. I can’t imagine the pain one feels from passing a kidney stone, but once experienced, I don’t think I’d want to do that again! I think I called you “Snakes” once, but I used it as a term of affection… I resolve to stick with “Marty” from now on. 🙂

    I keep reading about how horrible 2016 was – and it was – but I’m concern that when He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named gets some power beyond the Twitterverse, 2016 may start looking pretty good.

    Best wishes for a happy New Year to you and Gorgeous!

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    1. Thanks, Janice! I’ll take “Snakes” as an affectionate term any day, no worries. It just dawned on me that when I comment on especially new blogs, it might be nice if people knew my name. 🙂 Yes, fasten your seat belt next year. Happy new year to you and your hubby, too!

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  5. Good resolutions but forget the forgiveness one. Yep…drinking water is very good for you. I drink water all day long. Watch though…I’ll be luck enough to die from kidney disease. Just the way things go. LOL
    Be like me. I never turn the television on until nighttime. It’s too f’n depressing.
    I’m with you on studying complexities but I would choose Livermush. I’d like to know if it really is made of cat whiskers, eye of newt, chicken feet and penis foreskin.
    My New Years’ resolutions have always been “no New Years’ resolutions.” I have NEVER to this day….failed to keep them. LOLOL
    Hope you have a good one, Marty. 🙂

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  6. Good blog, “Snakes!” My expectations for the new year are incredibly low, and I’m sure I’ll still be disappointed. I embrace my pessimism. Best of luck with the forgiveness resolution. You’re a better man than I, GD. Hope it’s not as painful as possibly passing a kidney stone if you break your water resolution.

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  7. You’ve done quite well considering Marty. I only had one resolution for the past year . I’ve borrowed Nike’s motto ‘Just Do It ‘ so not much to tell 😀and have decided to carry it on into the New Year .

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      1. I didn’t realised until I got scripts for it for females and then had to look it up as it’s used for another indication . They tend to take 1 tablet a day for about 10 days.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I’m really grateful for the information. I don’t really care for my current urologist, but when we move next year we’ll have to change ALL our doctors anyway. So I’ll be more choosy about the next one, and I’m going to ask about these two meds in particular. Grateful for your info.

        Liked by 1 person

  10. I’m with you on the resolution regarding custard-filled doughnuts..
    I also love it when readers call you ‘Snakes” — their affection is obvious!

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    1. Ah, thanks, Donna. I wasn’t aware of the term of endearment from that moniker. It initially represented my frustration about divorce settlements, alimony, retirement annuities that weren’t being processed, etc. But now I like the revised consideration of it; a re-framing, if you will. Thanks for that. 🙂 Happy new year to you, and here’s to custard doughnuts everywhere.

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  11. I drink a whole lot of water, but I certainly am going to try as hard as I can to be hopeful rather than worried about the coming year and our new political situation. Not sure I’ll succeed though. Forgiveness and patience are always on my list and this year, I’m going to try to worry less about work. I wish I liked donuts, but I’m sure you’ll have good luck with your resolution concerning them! Happy New Year, Marty.

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  13. “Dude,” you just need to swap the Pink to the “The Band” and end your day with “Whispering Pines” ….while consuming some H2o, which goes great with custard doughnuts…

    as for politics, it’s to be all downstream from culture now, so may as well go to the source and check in with TMZ and Buzz Feed on the hour …their the new hip place to go for the daily dose of hyperbolic truth

    so here’s a bourbon to ya neat…(with a water back)

    and a Snappy New Year

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    1. Ah, yes, Whispering Pines. That was the theme song for my early college days when I fought the losing acne battle and barely coughed up some courage to speak to a girl. I only knew Strohs Bohemian back then, but unbeknownst to any actual knowledge, still consumed it neat. Fancy that.

      I think you’re right, Doug, TMZ and its ilk will be our new go-to’s for knowledge. Generation X and Y’s peccadillos will suddenly be less scary than Mr. T’s.

      Happy Near Year right back at you! As Mr. Gabriel sings it so well, “Drink up, Dreamers, you’re running dry.”

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  15. I saw what looked like custard donuts described as Vanilla Cream on the packet…disappointing…don’t be misled, go for custard and keep exploring the subtleties (niceness, nuance, shade, detail): 2017 will be rich in expectation and reward!

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    1. Absolutely. Be dubious of fakes and charlatan doughnuts — go for the Real Thing! Oh, wait, did I just quote from a Coca Cola commercial? I better get my junk cravings in their right and honorable order. Thanks for reading!

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  16. I know I’m late but I’m hoping to get all caught up on my reading by the end of January…and after all, Hope springs a turtle, and I think that’s just what this zoo is missing 😉

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  17. Pingback: Auld Lang Insane – Snakes in the Grass

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