New Year’s Day is a fraud.
What’s so new about December 32? It’s wintertime and I can look outside and there’s nothing new growing out in our yard. (With the exception of the confused – and kinda-sorta blooming – forsythia which is saying in its own yellow-flowered way, “Why the hell is it 50 degrees out?”)
The forsythia, blooming inappropriately, blows my theory that there’s nothing new about this New Year’s Day. But, for lots of us in the Northern Hemisphere, January 1 is really just looking out at empty trees and the remnants of last summer lying in the yard. Pretty barren.
(This is especially obvious here in our yard where we don’t rake up leaves. We will tell you that we do this as an environmentally conscious effort to re-compost the leaves’ nutrients to the earth. Really, we’re just lazy.)
(Next time you think you ought to spend your weekend doing yard work or household chores that require power tools or overalls, just kick back and don’t bother. You can think, “Sure, I’m a layabout, but The Baseball Bloggess is way lazier than me.” You’re welcome.)
New Year’s Resolutions are as stupid as this made-up holiday.
Why can’t you make a resolution on November 17? Or, if your plan is to exercise more or lose weight, why not in summer, when opportunities for working out outside and eating more leanly and cleanly are easier to find?
(My New Year’s Resolution – to not eat crickets. And, don’t try to hide cricket powder in cookies.)
I’m keeping my resolution.
Why isn’t New Year’s Day your birthday? After all, it’s the start of YOUR new year.
© The Baseball Bloggess
Happy New Year, Jarrett Parker, one-time Richmond Squirrel and current San Francisco Giant, who turns 27 today!
Why isn’t New Year’s Day on Opening Day? That’s my new year. And, it’s just 92 days away.
(There’s nothing new in Baltimore, by the way. Catchers and pitchers report February 18 and the Orioles still don’t have a full starting pitching rotation. Do not joke with me and say, “You didn’t really have one last season either.” I don’t need your lip.)
(I’m not even sure the Orioles could cobble together a full outfield if they had to – unless you can play right field. Can you? Really, I’m serious, because if you can, I bet we can work something out. You play cheap, right?).
Smart people will tell you that, with the winter solstice a few weeks ago, the days are getting longer so we really are in a growing period.
But, back around 2000 BC, the Mesopotamians would celebrate their new year in the springtime, so see, I’m just old school.
New Years in Tibet will come on February 8. The date of Tibet’s New Year, Losar, changes from year to year as it roams around with the moons, but at least it tries to be close to spring.
February 8 marks the start of the Tibetan year of the Fire Monkey.
There really ought to be a minor league team called the Fire Monkeys.
I wanted to show you a video of a monkey to illustrate this.
But, then I found this. This is why the Internet is amazing. I’m going to stop now so you can watch it. Happy December 32.
UPDATE: Wait … There’s more! Here’s my “New” Year’s Day followup: What’s New, Pussycat? Nothing on January 1, That’s For Sure.
The Baseball Bloggess 
Pretty funny stuff…now if only this hangover would go away…
Happy December 32nd, Gary … and I believe even a fraudulent holiday is a fine time for a tipple!
Yikes! That kitty in the monkey suit/bonnet doesn’t look too pleased about it. Nevertheless, I could become a December 32nd fan. That way I would never feel any need to watch the ball drop in NYC and could just get a good sleep the night before.
I just kept thinking about any of the cats in my tribe going along with the monkey suit. “Come on, Mookie, it’ll be cute. … … Mookie? Mookie? Where did you go?” Now, that December 32nd is over, I can wish you a happy January 2nd. :)
Well, then. Happy calendar new year to you, Bloggess! (making notes to say Happy New Year when opening day rolls around)
Just 91 days until Happy New Year! And, it makes much more sense, as we really do start new on Opening Day. (And, it will be very interesting if the Orioles don’t make any new acquisitions before then.) And, Happy January 2nd to you, T. Wayne! :)
A remarkably patient feline. I can’t see any of our gang putting up with that monkey suit for an instant. And forced to eat a banana? Doesn’t the filmer know that bananas are the Devil’s fruit?! Oh, the felinity! Won’t somebody think of the kittens?
I’m not sure why I think that video is so funny … maybe I’m just imagining one of my cats going along with it. They were insulted that I even laughed; they are embarrassed by my 2nd grade sense of humor. I do put little reindeer antlers on Polly every Christmas. She hates that. But, a monkey suit … that would be something. Happy 91 Days Til Opening Day, Casey! And, a howdy to all your tribe o’ cat … from the banana-hating felines out here! :)
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Wow, the Fire Monkeys would be a great Minor League team name! Almost forgot to thank you for being one of the top commenters on my blog this last year, so…’Thank you’!
-Mike
Thanks, Mike … I always enjoy reading about your minor league trips and adventures with your son! I think I’m just going to start my own team — the Fire Monkeys! :)
I LOVE THAT! Fire Monkeys would be a great name!!! Speaking of fire perhaps we could light a fire under the O’s…
I know. Let’s see … no first baseman, no right fielder, no starting pitcher. Something’s gotta give soon, right?
…the clock is ticking :)….