So… What did you do for new years???

With us in the ‘Happy 2008’ year, here is wishing you all a very happy new year!

I am back again with yet another thought that has been playing on my mind, i.e., the question of the year – ‘So, what did you do this new year???’

Every person I came across had this question to ask, with a very inquisitive expression. Maybe they were expecting the same cliché answer from me… ‘Oh! I went for this PARTY…’

But somehow, I disappointed all those who did ask me this question, because this new year, I just went to a calm place, popular for being a coffee joint, where I could hear myself speak and ofcourse, for a change I did give a chance to my friends to speak and heard them too J

In my far younger days, I remember my parents telling me, if you study on the first day of the year, you will be motivated to study the whole year… That time I use to wonder, people who chose to sleep on the 01st day of the year… do they get to sleep the maximum???

After being asked the same question time and again, and the same getting on to my nerves, I started to think…What’s so new about this year?? Isn’t it going to exactly the same as what it was last year or the year before... Ya ya, I am not ignorant about the leap year concept, ya ya… another day added this year, another day of work and another day to party… which we anyhow do, even though we don’t get an extra day in the year!

BUT AGAIN, the question on my mind is, “why is there so much hue and cry about partying on New Year’s Eve? How is it different from other days? AND WHY DO ALL THE PUBS CHARGE AN EXORBANT AMOUNT ON NEW YEAR’S EVE?” Maybe, its “Classy” and “Up market” to say, “Hey, I tho am going….., oh, you aren’t invited there”

Ok, I do accept I did succumb to my friend’s enthusiasm of looking for a good place to party; hence I did get involved in helping them find a place to shake their legs. But, down within, I was keen in going to a quiet fine dining place and spend the new years in peace, instead of displaying my dancing skills at a place, where we would be pushing people around to even stand straight! Anyhow, my wish did come true, when we failed to reach any party place, thanks to the manic public rush on the road, resulting in traffic jams. How I loved traffic jams that day!

Another reason, why I didn’t want to go partying was, I, along with few friends, were leaving for Jim Corbett early next day and I really didn’t feel like staying up late, knowing the fact, I HATE early morning travel and a sleepless night would make the next day look even longer, so, I wanted to be fresh in the morning to hit the road!

The trip was awesome, refreshing! Just made me further believe in the fact – You learn something everyday!

Post my return, who ever I came across just had one question to ask - ‘So, where did you go for new years?’ Just like the question ‘So, what you planning for new years’ was getting on to my nerves, this question was an icing to the misery! And, since the rule of courtesy demands, you ask them back the question that they have asked you, primarily, when you know, they want to tell you, what they really did! (Trust me; your expressions do give you away)

The previous day, I came across a group of college kids, who were my friend’s sister’s friends (phew…), who seemed totally ecstatic about what they did for new years! Maybe, that was the ‘in’ thing, to party on new years and then brag about it!

And, then came the million dollar question… but this time, the question wasn’t asked to me… they chose to talk amongst themselves. Since my friend and myself were mere spectators there (The age factor was what that kept us off from participating in the conversation), it was fun, analyzing the excitement in their voice!

So, Ruchika*, what did you do for new years? Asked Tanmana*

Ruchika: I and Piyu* were invited to this farm house party at Chattarpur, which was rocking. And the best part was, entry was restricted to invitees only! What about you?

I could sense the tone of excitement, when she deliberately stressed on ‘only’

Tanmana: Oh, that’s nice… I went to a disc (Refraining from mentioning the name), with a group of friends and it was so claustrophobic that we had to leave soon after… Then the New Year was spent hunting for a place to party but as usual, got stuck in a traffic jam. We got back home by 2:00 a.m.

Ruchika: (Genuinely feeling bad for her friend) Oh… that’s bad… next time… this year end, you come along with us and we’ll ensure, you don’t end up spending your new year’s in the car!

Then the dreadful question was directed to me… J And I had a very dry answer to give!

Ok now… it was time for us to leave the kids alone and get generous enough to give them their space and feel ecstatic about having partied
Even though, we are almost half way through January 2008, I still do come across this question and me being me… answer them with enough excitement in what I do, though I know, they weren’t expecting such a boring answer, tweaked to match the same excitement as theirs!!!