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Dec 31 |
New Years Eve – from Riches to RagsTagged Under : Millennium, New Years EvePosted in Sian's Stuff by Sian |
Wow, what a difference 10 years makes.
There aren’t many times in one’s life where you can remember what you were doing at a point of time years ago. Maybe JFK, Elvis, John Lennon and most recently Princess Diana dying are points in history we remember – please note I only remember the last one clearly and what a sad time that was. Happier times people remember are their wedding days, birth of a child or just a fab holiday.
Apart from those I’m betting the majority of us remember where we were for the Millenium New Years Eve ten years ago.
For me I have to say it was a different lifetime. One that I’m very glad I went through as it has got me to where I am now, but the difference is amazing.
I was very fortunate to work for a successful computer parts exporter in London. We were a small team of 8 but the money to be made then was astronomic. The boss was great fun and very generous so as a team we worked and partied hard. Money wasn’t a problem – always a new outfit to wear, limos for most of our trips, top restaurants in London for our nights out, Skibo Castle for our Christmas party and a yacht in Spain for the summer one. Basically party, party, party all the way but some very hard work and long hours too.
For the Millennium some friends of our group were organising a party in a country mansion in Dorset. Twenty of us were going to stay for 4 days and each invited their friends for New Years Eve so about 100 people celebrating together with intertwined friends. The champagne flowed all day and night. There weren’t enough fridges to hold it all so was left outside to keep cold. There was a pool, jacuzzi and sauna room – I remember drinking champagne in the jacuzzi – how decadent (and mad) of me.
The Millenium night was fantastic and I remember trying to phone my family on the mobile but most networks were down as they were probably clogged up. Around 4am myself and my very good friend Tracy (who I owe for myself moving to Ireland) hijacked the “disco” and some good motown and dance music was played. I think I went to bed about 6am but can’t rightly remember. 
I was single then and always hoping I’d find “the one”. I was very rich moneywise and had loads of friends so could always go out and party.
Zoom on 10 years.
I’m now living in Ireland ( I always planned to go to the sun though) in the middle of the country – a cul-de-sac of fields my friends call it. I am no longer money rich having put everything into my company, Whatswhat.ie, because I truly believe in what we are doing to help Irish companies get online. I am still single – I found love a couple of times but it never worked out. I have 3 dogs and 2 cats and love them to bits and revel in the love they give me back. I really don’t enjoy going out anymore unless with good friends for dinner and not a late night. My essential part of my wardrobe is now my wellies to be able to walk the dogs around the fields and the beach. I live in my joggers as I work from home doing sales. I still do my accountancy so that’s the only thing that hasn’t really changed.
When I look back at that time 10 years ago I remember what fun it was and at the same time how unhappy I was without being able to understand why. I think I was looking too hard for happiness based on what other (what I’d then call normal) people were having and doing.
Today, having heard of a few deaths and break-ups over the last couple of weeks I am very grateful for where I am now. I am happy in my life and myself. I’m no longer looking and I don’t feel the drag to go out and party tonight because that’s supposedly the norm.
I’m thankful to Twitter as it will probably keep me up past midnight for a change – hoping lots join in with the #twiNYE (click here for more info on that)
As the lovely @derryo just said to me on Twitter – “Lol, not wanting to party?! Miss Queen of the twineups! When you’re happy you’ve all the riches in the world”
So guess there is still some of that 1999 Sian in me yet J
What were you doing 10 years ago?
Great Post Sian
Me?
I was welcoming in the New Year and telling the people I love “that was the last time” “never again” I’m Sorry”
Turned out it was
Wondered into a dingy room in St Patricks Hill in Cork, a bunch of guys welcomed me and the man above decided to open the gates of hell and get me out
My last drink had been drunk
A peaceful and happy New Year
Veery good post you sound like you’re living the dream , have a grat night x
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Derry O Donnell, Keith Fennelly. Keith Fennelly said: RT @derryo: Great post by @whatswhat_sian http://ow.ly/Rqi8 and I get a mention! This makes me happy
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Lovely post Sian, it’s amazing how things change. This time 10 years ago I was 28 and living it up in Sydney. I had quit my job of 4 years managing an Irish Pub, mainly because I was tired of it and partly because I wanted to party on this night. And party I did! I was free and single without a care in the world. I hadn’t a pot to pee in nor a window to throw it out.
Roll on 10 years I’m happily married with 3 great kids and doing work that I love. I was happy then but I’m happier now. I will go out tonight, but I’ll seek out the quietest pub in town. Maybe just clinging onto the last remaining remnants of my inner party animal and prove to myself that there’s life in the old dog yet. I’ll probably wake up tomorrow wondering why I bothered. I usually end up having more fun on a twineup and talk to a lot more people
Happy New Year and all the best for 2010
I was at a house party with my then girlfriend, I thought I would never find anyone like her, better than her and everything was heading right into place, I was working as a content developer for AOL. She’s now history with 8 years, getting married to my best friend, soul mate and person who steered me out of the depths of depression when no one else wanted to be near me.
I’m on the road now as a hardware engineer for Dell, and it looks like I’ll be starting out on my own with this contract in the new year, me working for myself, my own boss, 10 years ago I’d have laughed at you.
Here’s to another 10 where I live learn and enjoy life as much as I have these 10, because folks see the half full not the bit that has spilt !
Lovely post Sain – hope you had a good one.
I am here to find a mobile no. for you because I know you could do with some support today. And I came across this post.
I had just finished the last decade at 29 (always easy to remember my age) having just returned to Ireland with my boyfriend, having travelled half the world for 5 years on a motorbike. We had the time of our lives and were looking forward to the next challenge – settle in Ireland in the medium term.
We celebrated the new millennium with my mum and family – it was a great party. Roll on 10 years and we were back in that house to celebrate quietly, and be thankful for a great 10 years.
I married my boyfriend – my soul mate, I paid off my house, I left PAYE 6 years ago and have looked back with envy many times since, but would not change being my own boss for anything!
I am grateful for my health, wealth (not being poor) and the community of family and friends that get me through the rough times (and my business Coach who supports me and holds me accountable for my business).
Tis great to have survived the past couple of years, I think common sense is on my side
Here’s to another great decade as i head towards 40, looking forward to the challenges of life.
Namaste and HNY xx