Same Ole New Year's

    I don't know why I still stay up late for New Year's Eve.  Mostly, it is just to wait until the fireworks die down so I can fall asleep easier.  Otherwise, there is nothing 'new' going on.  I don't have any close friends who throw parties so I can get invited.  Even if I had somewhere to go, my decades of near complete social isolation would ramp up my social awkwardness to the point where I would be forced to leave.  Seriously, I like being around people, but I have a hard time interacting with many in most situations.  So instead, I watch the same tired celebrations that have simply outlived their once originality.  I wait until a minute or so before midnight to watch the mayor of New York City, along with family and/or special guests, push a giant button to start a winch lower a really big crystal ball with the occasionally updated designs and/or light displays, with a ticking every second, replaced by a 'swish' every tenth second.  At the supposed stroke of midnight, a large screen displays the new year's message as a few feeble fireworks shoot out from the sides and tons of confetti rain down and the same five songs start to play in the background, in the same order, from "Auld Lang Syne" to "Over the Rainbow," the version with the man playing a ukulele.  Compared to other cities' celebrations, this is no longer as special or relevant as it used to be.  The spectacular pyrotechnics show from other places put the NYC celebrations to shame.  Even the more low-key solemn rituals from other countries have a dignity that puts the 'ball-drop' to shame.  It didn't help that I got to watch the most recent drop twice on two different channels.  I don't know if it was due to a planned delay, my current cable service's lack of synchronization, or just a mistake somewhere.  I actually found the performances outside of the actual spectacle.  Sure, some of them were pre-recorded, but they were still good.  I especially like "Handclap" by Fitz and the Tantrums.  I actually heard the lyrics fairly clearly for one of the first times ever.  Even after I found the lyrics online, I still would sing them wrong, but now I that I heard them this clearly, I my not anymore.  Then there were the reunions of New Edition and Duran Duran.  Nice medleys, probably some lip-synching due to being outside in the cold.  Of course, the biggest on everyone was talking about was the duet between Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton of "Wrecking Ball" and "I Will Always Love You."  I had no idea those two songs could synch up so well together.  Yep, that was the highlight of the night.  Still took some time to fall asleep.  I woke up, on my back due to 'that' reason.  I went back to sleep.  Woke up slightly early, but I wound up staying in bed almost too long to check up on a game bonus.  And that was all.  Boring all-around.  No resolutions to speak of yet this year, although I did manage to keep up with one last year, although I did forget a few times.  Wow, even this post about my boring night seems boring.  Sorry.  Maybe next time will be better.