not ever being huge new year's celebrators ourselves and not being invited to any parties, seb and i had little planned for last night aside from snookering down with some yummy soup, watching a movie on tv, and going to bed early... seb because he had to go in to work today at 6am, and me because i need the practice of going to bed and getting up early, since lately i'd been keeping 1-2 am bedtimes that won't fly once i start my job.
what we hadn't planned for was the non-stop barrage of whistles, pops, and bangs that had been going on through the day but intensified as midnight approached and continued well afterward. apparently, firecrackers and fireworks are HUGE in hawaii. although i've clearly never been in one, it was easy to imagine that this was what a war zone may have sounded like at the height of a battle. the streets were so filled with smoke, past the houses immediately around you, you could make out little more than the dulled glow of streetlights. after a while, the 'softer' ACK ACK ACK ACK rapid paced firecracker sets produced were almost so constant you could block them out and ALMOST fall asleep, but then a screecher or really loudBOOM would remind you that the celebrants weren't done screwing with you yet. i know it wasn't some cruel attempt to keep tired people awake, but after a while, i felt like we were the innocent victims of a firecracker pissing contest where the residents on opposite sides of the neighborhood were trying to outdo one another and prove that they were the master of wasting tons of money to make themselves deaf for a day and smooth operation of a lighter.
anyway, the new year is here, and it's MUCH quieter. happy new year everyone!
2 comments:
Believe me, I can appreciate needing sleep and having trouble getting that sleep because of noise. However, I think that making fun of people for having a blast on New Year's Eve is a bit low. You aren't better than they because they wanted to set off fireworks to celebrate the new year. I don't like it when people make fun of non-drinkers and non-partiers and likewise don't appreciate it when people make fun of those who want to party especially on a night like Dec. 31st. As I said, I can appreciate being annoyed by the loud noises. But it's kind of to be expected on NYE and that doesn't make those people stupid idiots because they drink and set off fireworks.
dear 'anonymous,'
at first i was just going to delete your comment. i was a little irritated that someone would come onto a blog that i use to just let family and friends know how we're doing, criticize me, and not even be willing to identify themselves. but i relented, because i realized my reaction was mostly out of feeling a little bruised, i didn't want to give the impression to you or others that i was 'ashamed' of what i posted, or how you reacted to it, and also because i think if you're going to post stuff on the internet (people including me, not YOU specifically) you should be responsible enough to address any issues or problems it creates. so instead, here's my response:
my statements about people having a pissing contest, wasting money, etc, was a reflection of MY FEELINGS as they existed the night before. under the conditions of a)it being 1am after having laid in bed sleepless for 3 hours b)having sucked on the inhaler several times to combat the effects of the smoke and c)being worried about my husband, who after having worked overnights the night before, had to get up in less than 4 hours to complete the last 12 hours of a 120 hour work week. that being said, and hopefully as most people who know me understood, my talking about how i felt at that time was not intended to represent, nor does it represent, my actual thoughts and general feelings about the people who were celebrating. to assume that the fleeting feelings people have under stressful situations match perfectly their rational beliefs and opinions of people and their activities is erroneous. i would like to appologize however if my post offended you, anonymous, or anyone else who actually reads my ramblings. i don't think my neighbors are idiots, i wasn't really making fun of them, and i certainly don't think i'm better than anyone else. i actually try very hard to make sure i'm never passing judgement on others, and hopefully, you and others will do the same from now on and try to give people the benefit of the doubt, not forming judgements of them just based on web postings.
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