I DREAM OF HAGGIS

I made it through my first Glaswegian Hogmanay - but just barely. The evening started out great. Paul and I met up with my friends at a pub before heading to another pub to meet up with Paul's friend, J, and J's girlfriend. When that pub closed, we all went back to our flat for more drinks.

To make a long story short: I mixed my drinks throughout the evening (wine and cider; why didn't anyone tell me cider was evil?!) and subsequently passed out on my bed around 1.30am. I was awakened about an hour - or was it two? - later by J and his girlfriend having an argument.

What's New Year's Eve anyway without a lovers quarrel? Paul and I had one as well just for good measure. Fortunately I don't think either of us can remember what it was all about although I have been banned from drinking cider. No argument from me on that order.

One of the highlights of the evening was hearing THIS gem of a song at the pub, just after the bells rang in the new year:

If that doesn't get you rocking out BIG TIME well, then you're simply not Rock n' Roll and I can't hang out with you.

Another highlight was getting half the pub dancing to Lionel Ritchie's, Dancing on the Ceiling. I guess I just inspired them with my own spastic rapture of a dance when the song came on. Seriously, it was pretty awesome.

And finally, Paul and I ended our holiday season with taking down the Christmas tree and watching the entirety of Season 4 of The Wire. Simply put: The Wire is the best television series. Probably ever. I've thought long and hard about this but...I think it's even better than the Sopranos. I will give the Sopranos one thing, however: I do think it has more complex characters. The Wire, however, has intricate and complex plots so the characters appear almost secondary.