Wednesday, December 30, 2009

New Year's Eve 2009: Charcoal Drawings and Watercolors

My New Year's Wish for all in revision, enjoy...

"Time has no divisions to mark its passage, there is never a thunder-storm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year…it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols." ~Thomas Mann

The words of Mann are true, but…when I read his passage, I wonder about the spirit in which he wrote it.

Is it merely a statement of fact, or is he also mocking human behavior and its attempt to harness time…to take time, and somehow, define it?

I think the latter. Mann is, in all of his stoic, efficient, German manner, correct about the ambiguity and elusiveness of time.

However, “we mortals” have good reason, or at least a reason to mark the New Year with bells and an alcohol induced blaring of trumpets.

New Year’s Day is a time when many people gather to watch football, feast on pork and sauerkraut, and publicly (and foolishly) announce their resolutions for the coming year.

Some people view the day as just another day off from work.

Those same people oft times say that anytime of year is a good time to take stock and better yourself without the confines of a once a year resolution.

I myself, enjoy the festivities surrounding the New Year, but also understand the reasoning of those who eschew the tradition of making once a year promises.

My reason to celebrate, or at least observe the New Year, lies somewhere in between the aforementioned reasons, and it relates to the statement made by Thomas Mann.

I think that between 8 P.M. New Year’s Eve while partying, and 9 A.M. New Year’s Day when one wakes up (or is finally going to bed), time does, in a way, stand still.

As Mann said, “Time has no divisions…”, and during those precious few hours, we are like a broken clock. We are both A.M. and P.M., past and present; prelude and postscript.

We can visualize everything we have ever been and ever done in the often stark monochromatic brutality of black and white.

We can also see everything that we want to be and want to do in color…bright colors, that sometimes elude our sight because we do not take the time to notice them the other 364 days of the year.

The transition between the old and the new year is a razor thin balance between Rationalism and Empiricism, between regret and hope…between charcoal drawings and watercolors.

I hope that we can all cut through the drab, dreary, and sometimes painful black and white screen of this world and of our personal prologues, and see the colors that we oft times miss.

My wish for you this New Year is that you use your past experiences as a pencil sketch, and spend 2010 turning that sketch into a painting of bright and wonderful watercolors.

Be safe…Kiss someone you love at midnight…and Happy New Year!!

Cheers!!

P.S. With that being said, I want to let you know that on New Year’s Eve, I will be blogging about the events at the Bagwine digs almost as they happen.

If you have nothing better to do, join me for the “scintillating” updates of our New Year’s Eve…um…festivities? See ya there!!

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

What an uplifting post, Matt!

I'm going to really reach for the stars and paint with oils ;-)

Candice said...

I love this post, Matt. Just what I needed to read.

Thanks, my friend :)

Happy 2010 to you and yours!

Anonymous said...

Damn, Mattman...I'll be linking later. You just never know what is going to gome outta that head of yours. Really strong piece of writing.

Scott Oglesby said...

Damn, you are a bad ass writer. You must be a heavy drinker because I can hear F Scott so clearly in your prose. I know I do use the counting of time to assess, plan and yes resolute. I’m going to heal up in 2010!

Schmoop said...

Lady: Ha, Thanks, and well said, Lady. Cheers to you!!

Candice: Why thank you, Candice. May 2010 be your best year yet. And by the way, the lighting on your picture becomes you. Cheers!!

Hope: Thanks Hope. One of things I am going to do better this year is visit the blogsophere more. And you are the top of my list. HAppy New Year. Cheers!!

Schmoop said...

Scott: Oh youuuuuuu. Thanks for the huge ass compliment. I don't worry about you too much. In spite of all of your recent unfortunate events and those you may have in the future, you strike me as one who never bows to the mundane, the bland, or the serfdom of acceptance.

You my good man, are a colorful guy. Cheers and heal up soon my friend!!

Doc said...

I hear ya Matt-Man... Good sentiment. I hope that New Years eve at the Bagwine digs brings you a good time and planty of wine!

Schmoop said...

Doc: Thanks and same to you. I received a great bottle of wine for Christmas...It has a cork. Cheers Doc!!

Lu' said...

Your prose read beautifully :)

Schmoop said...

Lu: Thanks Lu. And may you have a wonderful time tomorrow night and a great 2010, my friend. Cheers!!

Dianne said...

this is lovely Matty!
and the photo rendering fits so perfectly
I told ya you're an artist

Schmoop said...

Dianne: Thanks Sexy...An artist, eh? I do body work too. Need any done? Cheers Di!!

Phfrankie Bondo said...

...re the colors: mescaline does wonders in that department...

Schmoop said...

Phfrankie: So does Wild Irish Rose...especially when I take my glasses off. Cheers P-Man!!

Meg said...

WTF?

I come back from a small break and you get all literary and thinky on me.

But hey, it's good to mix it up a bit. Happy New Year to you and Snoop!

Meg

Schmoop said...

Fantasy: Ha...I have my moments of post-comedic introspection. Happy New Year to you as well Meg. Cheers!!

Michele said...

I took my watch off 30 years ago and never put one on again. I was tired of being dictated to by a piece of jewelry. Can't check in with you on New Years Eve. I'll be partying at B.B. Kings place in Memphis, TN. I'll tip on for you and Schmoop.

Schmoop said...

Michele: Well I hope you and JR have a fan-damn-tastic time. And I too, I have refused to wear a watch for years. Happy New Year to you and the Meat Eater!!

DILLIGAF said...

I am still considering whether I will be horizontal or perpendicular at midnight on New Years Eve.

Traditionally I am perpendicular due to holding onto a chair or some'at...

I'm getting ol. Maybe I'll just fall over this year...;-)

Happy New Year old bean. Have a good'n!!!

Schmoop said...

Four: Pick your abgle and be the best angle you can be. Thanks for the email and I'll pimp your show. But please, what time is it East Coast America time. Cheers FD!!

Dana said...

I'm picking the very brightest colors for my painting this year. No watercolors for me!

And I'll probably be hanging out with you on New Year's Eve, but only because then I only have to stay up until 11PM!

Schmoop said...

Dana: Pick away, you already have a good start...Call us or send me your mumber tomorrow. Cheers Dana!!