Happy New Year’s Eve from Syracuse, N.Y.

/ December 31, 2014
Clinton Square in Syracuse, N.Y.

Clinton Square in Syracuse, N.Y.

Are you ready for the ball to drop for 2015?

Do you feel you dropped the ball in 2014 or handled life pretty well?

Today’s the day to tie up any loose ends for this year. Better hurry. And tonight’s the night to welcome in the new year with great hopes, big plans, newfound inspiration, and increased motivation.

I resolve to do something of which I can be proud of every day in 2015.

That’s the short and sweet version, sure. Yet that one sentence pretty much sums up an attitude that I feel will help many other things fall into place behind it. During the next 365 days, I may be moved to share more about that simple and hopeful conviction right here.

Elisabeth and George at the Syracuse Crunch game.

Elisabeth and George at the Syracuse Crunch game.

Saturday night, I texted my terrific daughter Elisabeth to ask how she and her wonderful boyfriend George liked their seats at the Syracuse Crunch hockey game. She texted back with the selfie above. How happy these two young adults look! My dear wife Karen and I had received those season-ticket seats for three games in a row from our great friends JoAnn and Brenda, and given the final game to the kids as one of their Christmas presents. Watching their relationship grow stronger — and ours as a family along with Karen’s awesome son Daryl — was my great joy of 2014.

Karen and I will go to dinner tonight at a nice Italian joint, head to our favorite bar just a couple of blocks away from our home in our Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood and then return to the Little Bitty to watch the festivities from Time Square on the flat screen with Ryan Seacrest.

So to celebrate the spirit of the flipping of the calendar, I give you these two shots of our gussied-up Syracuse area, Clinton Square, full of lights and energy, a tree and a skating rink. And many happy people on the visit I made on the last Saturday night in 2014.

Skaters and lights on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014.

Skaters and lights on
Dec. 27, 2014.

Wherever you may be when 2014 turns to 2015, enjoy that precious second of your life.

Do you make New Year’s resolutions, and if so, what tops your list? Was 2014 for you good, average or lacking, and why? Do you prefer to be out in public or in your own place at the stroke of midnight, and why?

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79 thoughts on “Happy New Year’s Eve from Syracuse, N.Y.”

  1. Happy New Year, Mr. Mark! Hope it was an amazing eve. How smart you are to take account of your many blessings. I’m not one for resolutions. Every day is the first day of the next year, right? I prefer inside celebrations seeing as how it’s usually single digits. But I love having friends over and I love to keep the ice clinking in the glasses.

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  3. Something you can be proud of every day is an awesome resolution, my friend! I love the photo of Elisabeth and George! ❤ I was unhappy with my 2014 in all, but circumstances are already changing to make 2015 better. Where was I at midnight? Right here blogging! 😀 I wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2015, my friend! 😀

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  4. Hi Mark! I do have a few resolutions. I shared a few on my blog; the others are locked away in my heart, but I hope will bear good fruit. Not much longer until that ball drops now. Let’s hope 2015 is kind to us all. 🙂

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  7. I don’t do resolutions either Mark, since I forget them immediately after making them, then spend 2 months trying to remember what I was trying so hard to remember. I’ll be following my oldest tradition–staying in and watching “When Harry Met Sally”, which for some reason has always seemed like the perfect New year’s movie to me for centuries–or at least since It first came out. Might run down to the party and grab some snacks to bring up for my quiet evening, but probably won’t. Fridge is full, fruit basket is full, cookie jar is full….Ah, what the heck. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS, Mark.

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  8. Mark I love how you cherish your family! I don’t make resolutions anymore but I choose word for the year and my word for 2015 is service.

    Wishing you many moments that you can be proud of in 2015 my friend! ❤
    Diana xo

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  9. I dropped the ball and then tripped over my own feet, figuratively speaking!! Mark, all the very best to you and yours for the coming year (we’re not there yet, some five hours to go!)

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  12. 2014 has been quite lacking. I’m hopeful the new year will bring better experiences. I’ll be home tonight, under the cover, watching Abc or whichever network has a decent music guest on at the time. My resolution is to have more writing discipline with my blog.

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  13. For years New Years Eve was just another work day so I rather enjoy sitting this event out. I will probably be asleep by the time the ball drops. Happy New Years to you and your family.

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  15. Happy New Year Mark and Karen! Have a wonderful safe time. I am so glad to know you. Your charm and wit (your writing too) make it a pleasure to be your friend. Cheers!

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  17. Your daughter and boyfriend look like a wonderful couple and so happy with those tickets. I think your idea of doing something to be proud of each day of 2015 is great. We should all strive to do that. After all, even the simplest of things we can be proud of, so it shouldn’t require much. Happy New Year to you and your family!

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    • Thanks for your kind words, Me Who. Some days that good attitude required for this goal will be tougher to achieve than others, I know. But I want that mindset every day. Happy New Year to you and your family. May we all share a great 2015.

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  22. Cedar fever is still kicking our household in the face, so the next few hours will tell if we’ll venture out. The entire city of Austin has canceled its New Year’s Eve party due to ice warnings. Texans don’t do ice. Your pic of ice skating is nice, though. And your pretty daughter. The city says it will reschedule (I’m too old to do parties with thousands of others and only Port-o-Potties around) but how can you reschedule a New Year’s Eve party? It looses its oomph once its 2015. And apparently it already is in Australia!

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    • Well you made me Google Cedar Fever, Kerbey, and I am sorry this ugly allergy has your household in its grips. Ugh.

      Even up here, we prefer our ice in controlled areas, such as rinks or cocktail glasses. So the city of Austin is wise with its kabosh, if the sheet should fall from the sky, but let’s be real and and call the next day’s replacement bash something else. For you are right, Kerbey, the original moment shall have passed. Even in Hawaii.

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  24. Oh gosh, I was asking a mother of one of my kid’s friends what they were doing for New Years Eve. Turns out they were invited to two parties and were trying to decide which one they should go to. New Years Eve parties?? I didn’t know such a thing existed for people our age!! As for doing something you can be proud of every day, don’t you already do that with this blog?

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    • New Year’s Eve parties used to be a lot of fun, and could be again someday? I like the homefront so much, though, Marissa.

      Some days, this blog may be my moment of pride, sure. 🙂 I don’t take the blood, sweat and fears of word-and-picture ownership for granted, that’s for sure.

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      • I always thought New Years Eve parties could be fun. I think it’s tough when you’re not invited to one and have to fend for yourself among the crowds and craziness. Now I’m happy to have family to stay home with.

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      • New Year’s Eve parties were always fraught with the “have” vs. the “have-not” romantic dymanic, I always thought durin my single days, Marissa. Not necessarily a good thing. Now I’m very happy to be with my dear wife Karen. 🙂

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  25. i love your resolution, mark, it’s perfect and says it all. happiest of new years to you and yours. my resolution is to act in kindness and compassion in everything i do.

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  27. Happy New year, Mark! I hope 2015 brings you laughter, happiness and lots of joy. New year revolutions? ZERO! I failed pretty much every one for this year, so I want to enter next year with no expectations… but rather a healthy mentality of trying to be the happiest I can.

    Thanks for all your support this year, I appreciate it. Have a great day, evening and New Year!

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    • Amanda, your life is quite amazing. How you hold your family together with your hubby on the road astounds me. You don’t fail at anything, really, from my perspective, OK? You should be happy, my friend. You bring great happiness to a whole lot of people who read your great blog. Don’t forget that, please. Have a great and wonderful New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and 2015, my British friend! Thank you for your support and encouragement. 😉

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      • Aw, Mark. You are so sweet! Thank you. ☺️<~ blushing over here! My blog has been a my little peice of haven, since life got that little bit harder – it's been a place where I can offload and unwind 🙂 and it's also a place where I have met some pretty amazing people! A winner all round! See you in 2015! Have a fantastic evening!

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  29. ya!!! I am also in Australia and the fireworks are still going in our capital cities. I am out of town and the stars seem extra bright, moon is half but tipped upside down – thus we are in for Very Hot weather ( 100F+) next 4-5 days. All the dogs are howling, still. Like your short and sweet thing for the year. WOW syracuse looks lovely.. Your daughter is very pretty and the boyfriend equally so.. Look forward to more of your thoughts. Cheers.

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  31. Beautiful post Mark. Beautiful family. Beautiful sentiments. It really is amazing the “difference” we place on that one second isn’t it? I love that you will return home to “The Little Bitty” for the midnight hour. That’s usually where we prefer to be, even if we go out. Home is best no matter what. And usually where I prefer to be when the new hour, the new day, the new year starts.

    Happy New Year my wonderful New York Friend!!!!

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  32. Hey Mark! I love the skating rink there. I don’t make a list of resolutions…I just determine to make each year better…And as you know, 2014 was a year of ups and downs for me, but it was all good in its way. Best to your and Karen in the New Year!

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  33. Wow, that “tree” of lights is huge compared to the tiny humans skating around it. It is great to see a young couple like Elizabeth and George enjoying themselves so. Great pictures, as usual, mark.

    I don’t usually go out on New Years Eve. I’ll spend it writing or checking out blogs or reading. I’ve never seen the significance of new Years – to me it is a day like any other. It was always a great day to truck, as the taffic was light and the truck scales closed. I will lightly review the previous year and look at general directions for the New year, but seldom make resolutions.

    Oh, as an aside mark, i did a guest post over at Anawnimiss https://anawnimiss.wordpress.com/2014/12/31/the-blizzard-a-guest-post-by-paul-curran/comment-page-1/#comment-3965 if you have time to drop by i would be honored.

    Ha great New Year Mark and may ot bring health, happiness and prosperity to you and Karen, Ellie and your family and friends.

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    • Thanks, Paul. How you handle the day is pretty cool, sir, what we all should do, stripping away the hoo-ha. Check out our personal comings and goings, “lightly review and look at general directions.” Well said, as usual. I am thankful fo our friendship in 2014. I wish the best to you in 2015. May we both prosper this year, in fact! (I’ll be off to check your guest blog soon.)

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  35. Am I first?! Whoot.

    Not to be a contrarian, but the ball has already dropped in Australia. Read or not, etc.

    Your resolve is a tough one. Every day?! That’s a lot of pressure, brother.

    Happy New Year to you and your lovely bride. Nice family you got there. Thanks for the visits in 2014.

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