New Year's Memories

I will attempt to access some childhood New Year's memory which will be difficult because New Year's is not a "kid" holiday but I managed to fire up a few brain cells and think of some memories.

Firstly, though, why is New Year's on January 1st? What signifies one year from another? If we keep track of the year with Jesus' birth, why isn't December 25th New Years Day? Huh? What about that Calendar keeper guy? Let's see what wiki or google has to say about that - I'll be back in a few minutes - discuss among ourselves...

Ok back after a quick look at some websites. Well, not much interesting there - Julius Caesar changed the date from Spring to January 1 without explaining it. January is named after a two headed god named Janus - one head looks forward and one looks back. There was still disagreement about New Years day until 1582 when Pope Gregory made it official. Thus our Gregorian calendar with Julian dates. Nothing real interesting or new there.

1582 seems relatively recent to me - in the vast context of things. Anyway, let's look at another year that I can remember - I think so anyway - New Years Eve 1976.

The girls are staying with downstairs Granma. Rob and I get to stay home but are within earshot of Gram - for safety and food and what not. I do not remember much but I can seem to recall laying on the couch and listening to a Top 40 Year End Countdown on the radio. For some reason, the song "Moonlight, feels right" is playing on the radio. I looked it up and yep- 1976.

I looked up the other top hits of 1976 and here are the top 5 of 1976.

1) Wings - Silly Love Songs - this song always makes me think of Le Mans Speedway. I have this specific memory etched in my brain of listening to this song in front of the change booth they had at Le Mans. I got some change and went to watch people play that giant pinball machine Hercules. It is a very specific memory and I remember every nuance of the place, the smell of the electric discharge in the air from the bumper cars, the sparkling lights, the change booth, the colors, everything. It's weird how the brain just holds on to a random memory like that.

2) Elton John- Don't Go Breaking My Heart -with Kiki Dee

3) Johnnie Taylor - Disco Lady - huh?

4) Four Seasons - December 1963 (Oh What a night) Someone had this album.

5) Wild Cherry - Play that Funky Music - remember this from a Midnight Special or Don Kirschner's Rock Concert

Anyway, I seem to remember listening to the radio and watching TV and of course "Moonlight, feels right" by Starbuck in case you were wondering.

The other New Year's Memory involved upstairs Gram aka Granma Patch. Nothing too clear as far as memories go but I remember watching a Dick Clark Special at her house. Also remember watching Carol Burnett after she went to bed because she thought Carol Burnett was filthy. They said "damn" during the Mama's family sketches. "Heathens!"

Those are the only memories I can seem to conjure about New Year's.

Anyway, Happy New Year and go out a create a memorable New Year's. Congrats to Pam and Dan who are making a memorable New Years by getting hitched.