In private, I tend to be a bit of a morose and gloomy sort of chap.  At this time of year especially.  I've nearly always reached New Year's Eve with a sort of resigned attitude to the ending of another arbitrary timespan, that's inevitably not done me any favours, and I've mostly allowed myself to creep into the new year amid a haze of solitary self-pity and claret.

This approach, and this view of life, was always nonsense anyway, of course.

This year, I am actually attending a social gathering.  This is good in itself - I'll be seeing the new year in in an entirely fifferent kind of mood.  But I've just caught myself still thinking the same old thoughts about the year that's nearly past.  Feeling sorry for myself. "Wasn't a great year".  "Maybe the new year will be better".  WHAT?  WHAT?

How dare I!  This has been an extraordinary year.  I've left a job that bored and annoyed me; I've been to numerous auditions, several of which have borne fruit - I even had to turn a couple of jobs down because they conflicted with other things; I spent a wonderful, wonderful summer touring the country with brilliant, talented people; I did my first, and very enjoyable, work in front of a camera; I've met some great people and of course there's also all the things I mentioned a few days ago
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say I'm living my dream.  How dare I indulge in self-pity.

The motto for 2008 only needs a slight change though:  "Maybe the new year will be even better"

It still comes as a surprise though :)

Happy New Year!