I have to admit I’ve had some pretty hedonistic New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world, which have left me counting-down to midnight in a bit of a blur.
From all-night parties in Amsterdam, warehouse raves in Battersea (London), cartwheeling in the snow in Sheffield, discos in Damascus, a champagne street party for the Millennium in Portugal, fireworks in -20 degree centigrade in Stockholm, watching a thunderstorm over Lake Victoria in Tanzania, dancing to Daler Mehndi in Mumbai and drinking more pints and shots than I care to remember in a very dodgy pub in New Cross, London.
I’ve also had some very sleep deprived New Year celebrations when the insomnia of looking after babies and little children has really kicked in and, if I am to be honest, has sent me further into bleary eyedom than any narcotic ever could do.
Fast forward to now, New Year’s Eve 2017 in Nairobi, Kenya, and I find myself dressed in my pyjamas, trying to keep my three children who are determined to stay up until midnight, calm.
I am also on my 14th month of abstention from alcohol and cigarettes. On most days sobriety is easy, but on New Years Eve, my will power really put to the test and I feel myself craving a tipple or ten.
So to take my mind off what they call ‘wine o’clock’ and my wilder days of yore, I have made myself a pot of tea and have decided to give myself a different blurry experience – I used the slow shutter release on my camera to capture some abstract images of my Christmas lights.
Here are the results.
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- Blurred Christmas Lights 1
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- Blurred Christmas Lights 2
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- Blurred Christmas Lights 3
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- Blurred Christmas Lights 4
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- Blurred Christmas Lights 5
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- Blurred Christmas Lights 6
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- Blurred Christmas Lights 7
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- Blurred Christmas Lights 8
New Year’s Eve is always a time to take stock and is usually an evening of mixed feelings.
On the one hand, people celebrate the end of the year gone by and welcome what is in store in the New Year. On the other hand, some people experience a sense of nostalgia as they reflect on the events that took place in their lives in the past 12 months.
What I do know is this, tomorrow is the beginning of whatever you want it to be, so Happy New Year and all the best for 2018.
And remember, “You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.” (C. S. Lewis).
Well, at least that is what I keep telling myself anyway 🙂
Cup of tea to welcome in the New Year
Runaway Brit December 31, 2017
Happy New Year, Ali. Hope 2018 is good to you all xxx
Ali Dunnell December 31, 2017
Thank you Elaine and all the best for 2018 for you too xxx
thewonderer86 January 1, 2018
Happy New Year. Keep dreaming.
Emma Bragginton August 3, 2018
I can’t believe that it is August already. This year I set a goal to change my life for the better and concentrate on me. So far I am doing well! I hope the rest of the year goes as smoothly!
alidunnell August 6, 2018 — Post Author
I know, I guess time flies when you’re having fun. Good luck with your goals for the rest of the year 🙂