The New York New Year’s Eve apple has dropped once again, and many of us probably watched its splendid fall while passionately embracing a special someone. That is, if you’re one of the lucky ones.
I spent the evening with my most beloved, uh, cousin. Of course, I would like to have spent it with someone unrelated to me — there is only so much embracing you can do with even a male relative. But, alas, I have had no such luck at the start of this new year.
Doesn’t it seem strange that the new year officially begins its cycle in January? The Babylonian New Year, in 2000 B.C., began with the first New Moon after the Vernal Equinox, which would the make new year occur in March, the beginning of spring, which actually makes sense. But emperors continued to tamper with the calendar until it became out of synchronization with the sun. In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 B.C., declared Jan. 1 the start of the new year. And now, because of Julius Caesar’s supposed all-knowing declaration, we celebrate New Year’s in January.

Not that I don’t respect Caesar, but personally I think the new year should be celebrated Sept. 1. After all, that’s when students are gathering up their gear for school, making new promises concerning GPAs, friendships, jobs and activities to join or lead. Of course, the whole world is not in school, but most families have kids who are involved in the school system. The end of summer seems to commemorate a new turn and change, pulling yourself out of the lazy, hazy days of summer sunbathing and into “beautiful” early mornings.
The new year is in the dead of winter! Nothing, at least as far as the weather goes, seems to be happening. At least at the end of August we have the gathering of the harvest. Everything is ripe and in its fullest condition to be plucked. It is the time to taste the sweet or bitter fruits from the year before.
Added to all this, the nice weather in September helps us to keep resolutions. For example, more than half of us have probably vowed to lose five or more pounds this January or at least get in better shape. But what can we do when we open the door to a downpour of rain and foggy muck that sneers back at us, “Want to lose all that Christmas chocolate, eh? Ha! Try to do it in this!” And for all those lucky countries that actually have summer in January, well, I think, after 2000 years, it’s about time we rotate who gets the warm weather.
Also, the new year comes directly after Christmas, the biggest holiday of the year. Everyone has kind of had enough of partying and they’re completely broke. OK, we can never have enough of partying, but we are broke. I think it would be better if the two holidays were more evenly spaced out.
Now, considering all this, I am sure you will all resolve to make your resolutions in September. Hey, you could even consider this your innocent way of procrastinating. As for me, I have but one resolution this January: Have a hot date for next New Year’s Eve.