And my decision not to wear a watch. After spending oodles of money, flying thousands of miles risking the chicken fever and a dodgy stomach for the first time I missed out on prematurely popping a champagne cork a few seconds to midnight. Instead I was emptying out my bladder for what seemed to be the hundredth time of the night even though it was still relatively early when the roar of fireworks alerted me to the fact that I had overlooked a minor detail of 31st night. I returned to some right royal abuse from the boys, but at least I had a glass of Champagne in one hand and Vodka/Red Bull in the other, a combination sure to make anyone happy.

All in all Galle Face was quite fun, admittedly the location was nowhere near as good as last years and we didn’t have a nice big tent with sofas to ourselves either, nor, thanks to my slight oversight, any Patron. It was what can only be described as a ‘sociable’ 31st night, no over the top rocking, just 5 minutes on a chair for old times sake, no random chat ups (despite what appeared to be the largest conglomeration of tight, mini-skirted, brown hotties on the planet) or excessive drinking. Evil wasn’t around for me to chuck an empty bottle at, which I’m sure he really missed, I know I did. I did however meet a bunch of old acquaintances, caught up and had a generally good time. There was a slight bit of weirdness towards the wee hours of the morning, but a couple of days and a good session of antibiotics should clear that up.

Cricket captain, in town to meet the in-laws was highly taken up by the whole Colombo 31st night scene, didn’t know where to look in terms of cuties and made us solemnly, if a bit drunkenly swear an oath to come back next December as well. He did however look shit the next day, he’s excused though since he has got a few years on us and not had the opportunity to be hardened by the party lifestyle in Colombo. Also met an ‘ex-blogger’ who’s dearly departed blog was one of my favourites, and not just for the excellent music recommendations that were on it but a writing style I could only be envious off. Well actually it was the second time I met her, but the first time was a bit blurry and loud and a haze. Its always strange putting faces to online personas, and this one was no exception. She turned out to be younger and shorter than I ‘pictured,’ in fact she claimed to be five feet tall, but unless I’ve grown around three inches since 10pm on the last day of 2006 there was no way that was true more in the region of four foot ten or thereabouts. She also had a rather irrational hatred towards Coldplay, but I guess you can’t expect people to have perfect taste in music.

Breakfast at Intercon, attended by R (who managed to last all night for once), CP and Cricket Captain and some early doors comedy from one of the strangest morning persons I have ever met, rounded up a ‘satisfying’ night and an excellent way to bid adieu to 2006, a year of dizzying highs and marrow chilling lows, a year I was glad to turn my back on.

I hope everyone out there had a fun, safe New Year and has a lot to look forward to in 2007!