Well that was unexpectedly... pleasant...

[penk]

In general, I'm not a particularly big fan of holiday parties. There's some sort of forced joviality and socialness that puts my INTJ teeth on edge. Why then do I live in a community where socialness is sort of core idea? Well, that's a conversation for another time. I have my safe space and my hidey-corner, and I have a space where I can go out and be social, and there's some grey areas in between.

Last night was our New Years Eve celebration in the common house, and I think it was one of the finest evenings I've had in a long time. A great end to a truly extraordinary year.

Every room in the CH was in use - socializing in the great room, charades or drumming in the dining niche, make your own pizzas in the kitchen, Rock Band 3 in the living room (on the BIG projector with the BIG soundsystem!), bookmaking and other crafting going on in the rec room... the building was totally abuzz.

When we first conceived of Mosaic and the common house, it was this sort of activity level and use that I was hoping for - everyone comfortable and having a good time, lots of activity - it was easy to drift from one group to another, sitting down and being chatty, or just listening / watching (At one point there were 4-5 adults outside the living room window watching a bunch of kids playing Rock Band. It felt very 'observation gallery' - in a good way :)

By 12:30, I was pretty worn, Zach was tired as well, so I took him home, got him settled in, and flopped over in bed.

I'm sure I'll have a more introspective and thoughtful post soon, but right now I'm grateful for my community, my close family, and generally for getting through the last 12 months. Here's to hoping for a great coming year...

Comments

[keyne.livejournal.com]

I'd like to use this, with only minor changes, as the lead piece in the next interest mailing -- it's brilliant marketing. Can we talk? :)

[jasra]

It sounds like it was a lovely night. Yay!

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

YAY Community! ;-D

And happy newness.

[maebeth.livejournal.com]

At last years party what I loved most was the ability to go home and take a two hour hideaway break from everyone and then still greet the new year with everyone by coming back.

I'd agree that this years party was the perfect combination of large and small group activities, so i didn't need to hide away in the middle.