2K14: bring it.

I love living in Philadelphia on the first day of a new year.

When we first moved here (as fresh faced babies), in 2004, I didn't know what I was getting into. Not as far as Philly (I had an idea of what that was), but more in regards to New Years.



2008, 2009, 2010, we threw some super-great ragers over at Beulah, with champagne fountains, countdowns, confetti cannons, loud music, people kissing, and everything. So fun. (Props to Marilyn and Sarah, each in their own way the best co-hosts).

Wasn't Beulah fun?
Fast forward: If you follow me on Instagram (also "doggieeyes" over there, if you're not) you've either watched or not watched some of my New Years Day round-ups.  Around 2010, I started "believing" in the Mummers in earnest. 

(If you don't know about it, I can't even really explain it. Mix f'real dudes, banjos, drag, liquor, sleeplessness, competitive drive, hometown pride, mardi gras, and umbrellas, always, lawlessness, hints of racism, carnival, bitter cold, and hangovers, silly string, party anthems, and olde timey traditions, elaborate costumes, and you've got an idea. If you really need to know you should try wikipedia or something, but I'm not sure how far that would get you.)  

All this stuff happens on New Years Day. Now that I'm an old person, this means taking it a little easier on New Year's Eve. I can do that!  

It's weird and it's wild. And you need to be in bed by 10:30.

And I'm really glad I've gotten to do it so many times.  This is my TENTH New Years in Philly, and I'm looking forward to it again tomorrow.



Ten more years? Maybe. Maybe not.


In any case: to my friends who venture out for another day of parties after a whole night of parties, to midnight kissees, to mummers, to Mayor Nutter (?), to Holly for brainstorming resolutions with me every year, to Brown who is maybe my best Mummer soldier, to everybody: Happy New Year. I like it. (Maybe some more on Resolutions later.)