Jan 14th marks the start of the New Year for those parts of the world either on, or still lamenting the Julian Calendar.

We shall be celebrating at midnight this evening!  So if you're already backsliding on your New Year's Resolutions, raise a glass at 9pm UK time this evening,  say "S Starym Novym Godom!" ("Happy Old New Year!") and you get a new lease of life on your good intentions  It falls conveniently at a time when it's easier to follow your Resolutions - the last of the Quality Street have been hoovered-up (even the unpopular ones), the decorations have been packed away, and the credit card bills have arrived

We put our decorations away on 15th Jan, to finish-up a theme begun elsewhere on these boards

The "Old New Year" (in the Julian Calendar) used to be celebrated in Britain too - allegedly parts of Scotland kept the holiday until relatively recently

Oh drat! I meant to raise a cyber glass to you at 9 this evening, Reiner. I`m not too late am  I? 

HAPPY OLD NEW YEAR !!

We (C of E but of so high a persuasion that attendance is liable to induce nosebleeds) had our crib up until today.  Because "it's a shame to take it down two minutes after the Three Wise Men get there").

In your wardrobe, tinners?   Should be in the fridge!  Or the freezer, optimally!

Mind you, I found my mobile phone in my fridge last week, I had to call it from the landline and its plaintive beeping was heard from inside...

Do yourself a favour, plonk that bottle in the fridge tonight, and let it chill until tomorrow evening?  Pour youself a shot, and have either some crunchy pickled gherkins, or ideally some red caviar or smoked salmon on hand.  Kill the shot, breath out, then munch on the gherkins or fish.  I promise you, it's the best way to find a fuller understanding of the cultural milileu of the music of Mr Scshowstakoffich   And a fine way to toast the Old New Year in tomorrow evening!  Za zdorovie!!

Although between you and I, I must admit I am not really hugely fond of vodka - I've had a litre bottle of the best stuff from the Siberian Altai, a gift from houseguests, sitting in the fridge untouched since September... 

Happy New Year everyone.
But wait, celebrations are not over. There is Chinese New Year coming. More celebrations ahead.
Here my friends have celebration fatigue after too many parties.

That one is, martle. The other one is blue.

Good job those CDs are a bit blurry in the background ... there would appear to be a Justin Timberlake CD just slightly further down the pile than Pli selon pli.   I'm obviously turning into Alex Ross (don't tell Ian!).