Wisdom is carefully applied memory, which is where things get a bit scary when it comes to New Years celebrations. 

The fact that I no longer wake up on New Years Day with a hangover the size of FInland could be attributed to being that little bit wiser.

I’m not a great fan of New Year celebrations. In years gone by, I recall a desperate scrabble to find the coolest venue - a near suicidal act with one aim “I must enjoy myself, I must party.”

Copious amounts of alcohol would be consumed, other mind-altering substances would be added to the mix.

As the the hour approached, inebriated people would attempt to syncronise their frazzled brains with the passing of minutes and seconds. As the final seconds ticked down, a subtle process would play itself out. An alignment of ‘favourites’, who to hug and/or kiss first.

10, 9, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2 , 1 - Happy New Year!

Loads of noise, shouting, singing, clinking - and all at once, everything is happy and good - smiling faces, hugs & kisses, positive energy.

If wisdom had served me well in times gone by, that would be the moment to leave the party. Go out on a high. Bid my leave and climb, most happily, into bed, ready to wake up in the New Year with a steady hand, head and stomach.

Wisdom often had other ideas and could be found skulking in the corner muttering “don’t say I didn’t warn you” as the small hours of New Years morning witnessed the carnage of half empty glasses, overflowing ashtrays, crisps crushed into carpets & paralytic slow dancers drooling all over each other and the dance floor.

Been there, done that, lost the braincells.

These days, things are different.

New Years should be, quite simply, a celebration with loved ones - it matters not a whit what went before or what will come after, what matters is that your together.

Happy New Year!