For years now I've preferred to celebrate most holidays alone, especially New Year's Eve where I like to reflect on the last year, think about the upcoming year, and think about how and where I feel changes need to be made to make the new year a much better year. Call it a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats), LOL.
This year, for the first time since I can remember, I went out for New Years. Not only out, but all the way to Port Huron! Got to spend it not only in my favorite town, but with some really great folks, too - my fellow Trekkies. The out of towners were at a local hotel, where we reserved the conference room for the night.
And the entire event was streamed live over the internet for those unlucky souls who couldn't make it for one reason or the other. A dozen or so on and off all night long. They got to enjoy watching us eat, laugh ... even were privileged to see my big butt on their monitors after I grew accustomed to the cameras and totally forgot they were there (oops).
At midnight, after toasting the New Year in with a glass of non-alcoholic *made in michigan* spumanti (yum!!) we were witness to our "fearless" leader's swearing in as the new Commander of Starfleet. Single Son stood in for our previous Commander, as he had issues with his shuttle and was unable to attend the party.
And I have to say that Single Son did very well with his speech.
After the festivities we headed up to the visitor's hotel room to party a little more. Or more likely, being the geeks we are, we swapped digital photos from each others digital storage cards to our handy laptops.
We left after 2 AM sometime. Single Son and I had an hour and a half drive ahead of us yet. In the pouring rain no less. Hey, the car is clean now!!
He let it slip on the way home that I'm up for a promotion in rank in April. I know, I know ... ya'll are saying "oy, what a geek". Yup, and proud of it, too! So, I'll go from ensign to lieutenant (ya, the one I can't spell without spell-check)!
I also volunteered to help our new Commander with whatever he needs help with. Although I doubt I'll get many "assignments", he's got a full compliment of staff already. LOL. Including Single Son who is his Chief of Operations, third in command. And I'll be helping Single Son with odd jobs, too.
Now I really really have to find a uniform! The next three years (the length of their term) is going to definitely be Star Trek filled, more than I'm used to!
But, a great thing that may come out of all of this is the networking. There's a lot of Starfleet members ... all geeks, but more than a few are highly respected in the business world ... hell, the Scottish First Minister is a Starfleet member! Like I'd ever be so honored to meet the Right Honorable Mr. Alex Salmond but you never know who could be at that next StarFleet get-together.
Single Son giving his speech.
Chief of Operations (Single Son) and the Commander of Starfleet
First Lady and Commander of Starfleet
Happy New Year!!!
Yeah it does sound a bit geeky - but if it makes you happy.....and yes networking is good. Congratulations on getting to go out for the occasion (and being able to stay up. As for the whole SWOT for New Years - I think it makes more sense (and leads to more success) if you make taking stock of yourself an everyday activity rather than a once a year event.
ReplyDeleteEm, yup, it was definitely a geek convention (as the photos show). Call me one happy geek. The staying up part wasn't difficult, remember, I'm a night owl.
ReplyDeleteThe whole reason I don't do resolutions is because I don't understand the sense behind resolving once a year to change (or quit) those things that bother you the rest of the year. Why not change them as you see fit? Besides, doing it all in resolutions you're much more likely to fail. And, you're right, my whole SWOT analysis SHOULD be a daily thing - like my meditating, but honestly I've fallen in the habit of a monthly accessment. We can add my proscrastinating to both "W" and "T".
I think monthly is just fine as well. The once a year resolutions have to do with a new start......and a lot of folks like to tie their "resolutions" to a symbolic start point....and I guess the new year is as good a symbol as any. You're right that people should change them as they discover the need to....but not everyone recognizes their issues. I'm sure we both know people who do the same thing over and over and don't "get" the idea that repeating the same action generally garners the same result.
ReplyDeleteSo if the idea of a "new year" gets them off their butt and into action - I'm all for it. Actually, for me it seems like the Christmas season brings out the best in a lot of people.....and since I'm already finding myself in a more positive and hopeful mood - resolving to change while I'm "feeling it" works pretty well - as long as i don't go with unreasonable expectations.
True, I keep forgetting that this is the symbolic starting point for a lot of folks. Definitely a good place to start to make those resolutions.
ReplyDeleteYup, so many people at their best this time of year. Wouldn't it be nice if we could keep it going the rest of the year? I try with random acts of kindness throughout the year, but admit that I really could be kinder all year long.
Ah hah ... you hit that nail on the head - unreasonable expectations!! Especially those who make a ton of resolutions at one time and not "pace" themselves. I knew a gal who had a neat idea ... her resolutions were broken down into monthly segments ... "In January I start a new diet. In February I stop smoking. In March I start excercising ... " Etc. Pace yourself ... and she's never broken a resolution to my knowledge!!