Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Last year sure went fast

Seattle Space Needle fireworks
Maybe some day I'll actually get to Seattle to see the New Years 8-minute-long fireworks display from the Space Needle. I doubt it, though, since I'd need to stay up all night, and I can barely make it to 9:00pm as it is! I do get to see all the wonderful pictures the next day, which I always enjoy on the first day of the new year.

I am simply astounded at how quickly the past year flew by. If this is any indication of future annual trips around the sun, I'd better find the global seat belt so I won't get flung off the planet! Today I'll head to the gym for my usual workout, and tomorrow I'll go to Lake Padden to join the Fairhaven walkers for our annual New Years Day trek around the lake, with celebratory coffee and goodies to share afterwards. I'll probably stick around for the polar bear plunge.
Lake Padden Polar Bear plunge 2010
Four years ago, the first year I stayed to watch, I considered maybe the following year I might do it myself. Tomorrow should be around 40 deg F for the plunge, not all that cold... but still. It takes a fair bit of courage, and then you must get out and deal with the aftermath. Yikes!

Whatever you decide to do to begin the new year, I hope it's memorable. Time to trade in the year for a new one, 2014, which I sincerely hope will be wonderful for us all. Happy New Year!
:-)

28 comments:

  1. I could not 'bare' or bear it; that cold plunge and like you said, the aftermath.

    Fireworks are banned here this year for the celebration, but I'm sure there'll be some law breakers and the new year will come with some fireworks somewhere

    Enjoy your hike!!

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  2. ha. i have done the plunge before in midwinter...its....cold...ha...that is nothing to describe it...smiles...new years in seattle would be awesome...i miss seattle...what a cool place...

    the older i get the faster these years go....

    happy new year!

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  3. Yikes. And to think we they have that kind of even here in MN. they have to chop a large hole in the ice. Seriously....

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  4. The fireworks sound nice, butI'm like you, anything going on after the lights come on at home would have to be so compelling I couldn't stay home ... especially in this cold. Wishing you a wonderful new year, DJan!

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  5. I'm sticking to the warm waters off the coast of Nicaragua. Or the bath tub.

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  6. i would not be getting in the water. :) hope you have a great walk, though!

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  7. We swim in cold water here anyway, which is usually 38 - 40 and a bit warmer in summer anyway, but its just the thought of "barin' down n jumpin' or runnin' in and then dealing with the temps afterwards round aboot you. Never tried it, but they do have it here too. Will take photos, but not getting wet. We follow the fireworks via internet or TV and have surf n turf n such. Cheers n Happy New Year DJan :)

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  8. It is 6.30pm here and I am gearing myself up to go out and watch the fireworks in London. I have never done it before and probably never will again. I'm trying to decide what time I need to leave so I don't have to stand around too long but I am reasonably close enough to see them. I'll let you know the outcome. One thing's for sure I won't be jumping in any fountains to celebrate let alone going in any expanse of cold water!

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  9. We, too will be home by 9 p.m. No swim for us; maybe a hot shower. Happy New Year!

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  10. My niece has done the Polar Bear dip in Lake Erie.. in VERY cold, minus double digit (Celsius!) temperatures. She's a gutsy wee thing.

    The fireworks at the Needle look like they'd be a wonderful display.

    Happy New Year to you and yours, DJan.

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  11. I watch the Space Needle fireworks on TV, live. That is too much traffic and crowds to deal with to be there in person.
    I will go for a walk, for sure, on the first day of 2014, but other than that, I have no plans. We'll see what happens. Happy New year!

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  12. Happy New Year, yes the years are whizzing by faster all the time:)

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  13. You aren't kidding - 2013 WHIZZED by! I'm actually looking to 2014 with optimism - unlike the past few years. I hope the New Year brings you everything good!

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  14. Time is faster than a speeding bullet here too.
    A very, very Happy New Year to you and yours. And I would LOVE to do the Polar Plunge...

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  15. When I quit drinking, New Years celebration lost a lot of its charm. Now days, like you, I'm asleep when it happens and watch the reruns the next day. Not a bad way to welcome the New Year and the head doesn't hurt.
    Have a wonderful 2014 with lots of challenges met and pleasures enjoyed.

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  16. You're right that things spin faster! As they say time goes by quickly when you're having fun.
    Happy New Year to you. Here's to many more hikes in 2014.

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  17. Happy New Year DJan! Hope you have a good trek tomorrow. You won't get me near any polar bear swim though.

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  18. The year seems to have gone a little fast to me. I don't know if that's because I'm getting older, or what... :))....but it seems to have disappeared before I even turned around.
    Sending you wishes for a lovely and healthy 2014, my friend.
    Love,
    Jackie

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  19. A very Happy New Year to you and yours DJan, I look forward to our visits in the New Year !
    Got goosebumps just looking at that plunge :)
    ~Jo

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  20. This year has zoomed by, maybe i need a seat belt too. Years ago I might have done the plunge at 40 degrees but no one could ever talk me into doing any of the ones in AK.

    Happy New Year DJan.

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  21. It might be 40 degrees outside but not in the water. I don't think I would enjoy that kind of shock and trying to get warm when coming out of the cold water would not be fun either. I am all about fun as I get older. I want fun in my life. I am looking forward to what is presented to me in this coming year. 2014 sounds like an excellent year to me. I know I am starting out in fine fare with my trip to spend time with my son and daughter-in-law. Will leave Jan 6. I hope this year brings you new adventures too, DJan and good health and lots of love.

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  22. I would not want to endure that icy cold water. No thanks! Lol.
    Happy New Year, DJan! Aloha from Hawaii.

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  23. So, DJan, did you take the plunge?

    I swam this morning in an outdoor pool here in Tucson. Warmish water, warmish air, bright sunshine. Yes!

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  24. As I was reading this, the TV news was showing today's ice dive, aka polar plunge. They cut through 2 feet of ice to make an opening. The air was so cold that the surface of the water kept refreezing before the event got started. I'm taking a far more, um, sluggish approach to the new year. Have a great 2014!

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  25. Beautiful fireworks - but I know what you mean. Last night, I barely stayed awake to see the ball fall in Times Square. Happy 2014, DJan!

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  26. I can't believe how quickly the year went by too.

    By the way, we went to bed at 9:00 also and I (not Art) only woke up briefly to watch the fireworks before promptly going back to sleep.

    Polar Bear Plunge? No way!!!

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  27. regarding your comment on my blog about embedded commenting....thing is, not all visitors have a Mac, and you don't need to be using IE to do the 'fix'.

    Happy day dear DJan!!

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  28. happy new year!
    Hope sends big hugs, she asked me if your were still "jumping out of planes and flying around"
    she thinks I should try it

    hugs from all of us

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