For many, many years now I have hosted a small party for New Year’s Eve. There’s the usual suspects, sometimes a newcomer or two. This year I realized at the beginning of December that it just wasn’t going to happen for a variety of reasons. As it turned out, in addition to those reasons, I was still suffering from major smoke inhalation (clearing a fire-ravaged apartment) 
so it was a very good thing that we (my family) had just decided to stay home and relax. For me this meant reading and getting on the computer.
I logged in to SL to greet the UK folks, who were MUCH closer to the new year than I at that point. It’s also Bailey’s birthday so of course there was a party going on. 
I realized as I sat and listened to the music, read the chat, watched all the crazy things rez, how much I’ve missed these people. I’ve been in touch a bit through Plurk, but it’s so cheering and fun to be together in one place and time. Thanks all! And Happy Birthday Bailey!
I managed a few IMs to US folks too. *grin* There were A LOT of people logged on this year. Maybe there always are, I don’t know. I arranged to meet Dz and Daez later for dancing. I figured if I was going to try to stay up that late, I’d better eat some dinner. So I logged and took care of food and pets and family. 
I also ordered a rowing machine online. My office is renovating yet again and part of that includes no more work-out room. I’ve been without stair-master and rowing machine since September and I miss them. Two weeks and I can be rowing.
When I came back in Shenlei was on and was going to go for a ride. She invited me to join her and Chancy. I tp’d over to the stables and met Draenei, who graciously agreed to be my mount. They all agreed that it was about time I learned to “ride”, so Drae turned the controls over to me. I think I only rode us into the bushes maybe 2 or 3 times. 🙂 Chancy and Shen had been practicing their caprioles. 
They were great. Perhaps once I learn how to go in the direction I intend…..
From there I headed to join Dz and Daez at Von Johin’s concert at Fogbound. I’ve met apollo in the last few weeks – he’s very new to SL. I invited him to join me at the concert. He was there and able to rez, but had insufficient band width for audio also. 😦 So whereas he could dance, he didn’t really get to enjoy Von, who sounded great!
We were monitoring Noma Falta’s group chat while we were dancing. Seemed like she crashed the sim she was at. *grin* That woman can really rock and bring a sim to its knees. She had another show at 9pm SLT, which was MIDNIGHT for me! So I took a bit of a break so I could watch TV with the family, watch the ball come down, and have a new year’s kiss. Tradition! Then it was back to SL and Noma at Prim Economy to start the new year off right.
I was not sure how a new year’s eve without my rl party was going to feel to me. But so MANY folk were online at one time or another during the evening. I got to chat with so many friends, party, dance, ride, see a friend’s new home. It was a lovely lovely evening and a wonderful start to a new year. I wish a happy, healthy, rewarding new year for us all. *hugs*
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