Quotable Quotes: Get Ready For New Years
by Miki SaxonWow! Just three more days and it will be New Years Eve. And that means you have a choice to make.
Either you think of something intelligent to say when you raise your glass at midnight or you need to be so drunk no one will expect you to say anything, let alone something intelligent.
In case you’re planning on the first choice and need creative input, here you go…
The first two are for events that involve less booze, more formality and the impression for which you’re striving is that of deep thinker.
“An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.” Bill Vaughn (Which are you?)
“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” Hal Borland (I can quantify my experience, but I’m not sure any of it translates into actual wisdom.)
However, if you’re at one where things are looser, the spirits excessive and your goal is to generate laughter and impress that gal/guy you just met turn the conversation to resolutions and then use one of these.
“A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one Year and out the other.” Anon (Yup, that’s why I stopped making them.)
“He who breaks a resolution is a weakling; He who makes one is a fool.” F.M. Knowles (That’s me, a foolish weakling—see above.)
My final offering should make everybody happy. It’s good in any circumstances and really does exemplify the transition from experience to wisdom—and it’s experience that almost everybody has.
“People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas.” Anon (Pure wisdom!)
What are your favorite New Year’s sayings? Why not take pity on others and add them in comments? Choice is good and your additions will increase it.
Your comments—priceless
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Image credit: sxc.hu
December 28th, 2008 at 6:30 am
Good idea Miki. Definitely worth spending a little more time thinking about what you want to say if you’re going to toast your team or others you care about.
We actually do a toast for our whole department on the first work day following the new year (this year on January 5th). Our CTO thanks us for the past year’s contributions, and then wishes us a great 2009. Not in those exact words mind you, but the sentiment is there.
Then we raise a glass of sparkling grape juice and ring in the new year together.
I’ll let you know if he comes back with a pithy quote or just speaks from his heart.
December 28th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Hi Phil, that’s a great tradition. I look forward to hearing what your CTO says, pithy or not.
Have a wonderful New Years and a terrific 2009!
December 28th, 2008 at 9:52 am
It is a fun tradition. And we don’t make it mandatory, as some folks don’t participate…but it’s up to them!
Forced traditions don’t work.
Here’s to a very successful 2009 and beyond!
December 28th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Whether professionally or personally, does forced anything work?
December 28th, 2008 at 10:27 am
It sure doesn’t, though some feel that motivation means forcing it until it happens. I personally prefer commitment over compliance.
December 28th, 2008 at 11:05 am
And based on the current situation we all know what compliance is worth, but then, you haven’t bought into the quarterly, short-term, Wall Street view of the world, Phil.
December 28th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
This year I’ll be in New York City celebrating with 1 Million people in Times Square on New Years Eve! Super excited. But, I’m not so sure that any intellectual remark that I make at 12am is going to resonate. I’ll still come up with something interesting to say, at least for my few friends and I, but I don’t think I’ll make a great impact this year. Interesting discussion.
December 28th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Aleksandar, you are so funny! I love New York and I hope you do, too. No one said you had to be intellectual or intelligent, so just go with the flow:)
Have a wonderful time and do come back and tell us about it…assuming that you can remember! (lol)