Happy New Year!

I am actually writing this before Christmas (on the 20th, to be exact) because in an uncharacteristic fit of competence I am not leaving things until the last minute. Not because I am jetting off to someplace for the holidays- as my old friend Lynn said “why go somewhere else when you live at the end of the rainbow?” Nor would I if I could. Travel these days seems like a nightmare, with all the new things we have to do so the airlines and the government keep us “safe” (strip naked and full body cavity searches will be next- I didn’t indulge that at the Ramrod in the 80’s and I do not feel like it now, stone cold sober and far less lithe.) And the freeways? Crazy time! I think that the new cars are to blame. They handle so well and have so many electronic stability controls that even the worst driver can think they’re ready for Formula One and the car will keep them from going t*ts up. And if it doesn’t it has 67 airbags, will call 911 and radio ahead to the nearest Starbucks to have a latte waiting for you at the emergency room. Having recently driven a car from the early 60’s I can tell you there was a reason people were more careful on the road- you had brakes that stopped the car in slightly less space it would take the Queen Mary, a dashboard that was covered in shiny, deadly projections, no shoulder belts and the only airbag was your lungs. If you venture out for New Years, you’re going to at best be at some place you wouldn’t be caught dead in normally but paid through the nose to get into after paying through the nose for an Uber to get there. And I dislike unto being frightened by large crowds.

So I stay home for New Years.

New Years 2015, celebrated with friends. In early December, to avoid the holiday rush.

I did have one really fun New Years that involved going out- it was in Milwaukee in the 80’s and the New Years Eve was so unseasonably warm that we literally went out without coats. I think the whole of the city was out, but it wasn’t with that slight desperation that people get on New Years: that “I’m going to have a good time if it kills me!” feeling. The whole town wandered around in wonderment that on this night where normally we’d be wearing sixteen layers we were practically in bathing costumes and people remained surprisingly sober, wanting to enjoy, experience, and remember. Because a few days later it was 40 below.

So my New Years plans will involve Maybe some movies, maybe a good book or two, certainly some nibbles, and a generous splash of Caron Royal Bain de Caron.

Royal Bain de Caron used to be called (when I bought it as a toddler in the late 70’s “Royal Bain de Champagne” before the lawyers decided that they needed to let Caron know the name was a no-no (probably some technical legal thing- can’t tell the guy in the next valley he has to call his wine “methode champagnoise” if you let a perfumer call their perfume champagne.) This one goes back to 1941 and smells pretty much like I remember it. A little less sparkly and tart in the opening perhaps (but who isn’t?) but still has the delicious creaminess of the vanilla and amber, a touch of benzoin-booziness and a decent slug of musk, all overlaid by subtle rose, lilac and violet. he only way I can describe it is that it is, without being foody in any way, like some airy little French dessert: frothy, light custard with rosewater and candied violets and a little puff pastry. Just the sort of tidbit that should be served with a icy flute of Veuve Cliquot. By Yves, the hunky 22-year old waiter who may have something more for you than pastry..

The Poseidon Adventure cast celebrating their Oscars

Royal Bain de Caron is available at various e-tailers at shockingly decent prices. Don’t tell anyone. I purchased my bottle from one of them, I can’t remember which.

I hope you all have a lovely New Years; if you feel like it, share your plans in the comments. I think my movie might be The Poseidon Adventure: that’s New Years themed, right?

Images: My iPhone and Pexels