Way back in the Before Times – specifically the modest years of the early nineties – Clive James used to do a New Years Eve TV special. In a dulcet baritone laced with sarcasm he would recap the year’s news, interspersed with mock awards ceremonies that were probably cringe-inducing even back then (I think Teatowel Wearer of The Year went to Yasser Arafat one time). As a burgeoning teenager I loved it, and looked forward to it every year. I suspect that’s where my love of end-of-year comedy wrap-ups like Charlie Pickering’s Yearly and the Big Fat Quiz Of The Year came from.
Every episode of Clive James’ NYE specials would finish with the host and various celebrities and extras joining hands for a rendition of Auld Lang Syne. This is also where I learned that that’s a tradition in many places. It’s not a tradition I’ve ever observed. Until, that is, tonight.
I curated a playlist for a small, laid-back NYE shindig and I threw in Mariah Carey’s version at the very end – right on midnight. And yes, I know, but believe it or not Mariah’s version is the best I’ve found. Even with the 90’s techno music.
And it got me thinking about traditions, and reflections. There are lots of rituals and traditions that seem frivolous or taxing but I think have great underlying worth. Sure, special days like Valentines Day and Mothers Day etc are wildly over-commercialised, but the basic idea of setting aside a day to make a loved one feel special is not just admirable but necessary. We live incredibly chaotic, busy lives. It’s why even though I appear outwardly to detest Christmas – I loathe the carols and the silliness and the frivolous expense – I actually love the family side of it. I love catching up with relatives I only otherwise see at weddings, funerals or milestone birthdays. I love hearing how their year has gone, and what they hope for next year. Mostly I like the gluttonous banquets.
And I like New Years Eve parties. I like having a night when almost everyone is partying and having a good time. Be it a wild bender or a quiet catch-up with friends.
And that brings me back to Auld Lang Syne and end-of-year recaps. I think it’s wholesome to reflect on the year we’ve been through, the friendships we’ve made and lost, the people we’ve farewelled from this world and the newborns we’ve welcomed to it. To think about the year ahead – filled as they are these days with uncertainty and trepidation. To remember where we’ve been and where we’re headed.
Unfortunately, where we’ve been hasn’t quite been all sunshine and happiness.
I mean it was for some people, of course. Mainly the billionaires all seemed to do quite well out of it, flying into space on their giant dick-rockets. And good on ’em, too, those vital capitalist cogs driving the engines of economic prosperity and trickling down on all of us.
If only they’d stayed up there.
But yeah, for a lot of non-filthy-rich people, 2021 wasn’t so great. We thought we were doing well in the War on Covid – effective vaccines had been developed in record time and Victoria had gotten really good at getting to zero daily cases. Staying there proved a challenge, though. Especially when Delta Not Goodrem showed up and now even more so with Oh My Cron in town. It took quite a while for Australia to get into the vaccine not-a-race, but when we eventually got supply whoa boy did Aussies step up. Over 91% of Australians over 16 have had at least two doses, which is AMAZING. Everyone who got the vaccine deserves an ice-cream and a large slice of cake.
A child turned on a filter in Zoom and a lawyer then had to tell a judge he wasn’t a cat. A boat got stuck in the Suez and it was magnificent.
Personally, I have to acknowledge how lucky and privileged I am that I can say 2021 wasn’t too bad for me. It sucked, don’t get me wrong, but I didn’t have to go to any funerals. I didn’t lose my job, or my house, and I never had to isolate. I had a wonderful birthday party, I had many fun nights online playing board games or watching movies. I’ve enjoyed plenty of time with Eva, including a couple of short local holidays and a staycation. We had to cancel our holiday to Darwin but really, that’s probably the worst that happened. I am so grateful to be in such a fortunate position.
Also there was cheese and wine and boobs and wine and cheese and boobs. And chocolate.
But my heart breaks for the friends and family that had, and are still going through, tough times. Sadly there are too many to list but you are all in my thoughts and I am itching to help in whatever way I can.
It is really hard to foresee what 2022 will bring. All that I can really say for sure is that it will be difficult, tumultuous and at times bleak and frightening. But if Hollywood action and sci-fi movies have taught us anything, it’s that there is always hope. Hopefully, next year we’ll get a change of federal government. Hopefully, we’ll get some kind of end to the pandemic. Hopefully, we will all weather the storm and end up reflecting that hey, it wasn’t such a bad year after all. Hopefully we’ll be saying “At least it was much better than 2021 or 2020!” come next New Years Eve.
Until then we’ll just have to reach out, and help each other through the uncertainties ahead.
And we’ll take a right good-will drink, for old times’ sake.
Happy New Year my lovelies.