My new year began with a pair of octogenarians storming the stage and singing Auld Lang Syne. The Montague Arms in New Cross is one of my favourite places in London. It looks like an old biker bar on the outside, but inside a troop of very ancient men and women totter about serving drinks and smiling benignly, begging their customers pardon as they reach to turn up their hearing aides. Its split level interior is crammed old pews and solid oak tables, their candelabras nailed safely in place. Whatever crannies are left over are full of ancient taxidermy, maritime paraphernalia and boardgames. The countdown caught us all mid-conversation and before we knew it songs were being sung, toasts were being made and kisses were being exchanged. It was so low-key, almost blase. I knew at that moment I didn't want to be anywhere else.
The only sorry consequence is that I've had a remix of Funkytown and Streams of Whiskey jumbling confusingly in my head all day. But, on the other hand, one of the best consequences is that our camera phones revealed these pictures this morning:
1. Matthew playing his new badger balalaika. 2. Me on the tube in my party frock.
I love both of these images for quite disparate reasons. For Matthew's it's because at the time he was tinkering and all excited at the prospect of having a new instrument to explore. It's only a three stringed affair, but the triangular bowl creates a surprisingly broad sound. He's already been looking up different ways of tuning and how to build chord structures. It's exciting stuff. As for mine (which, for some reason, Matthew's phone has decided we're back in August '05, but I promise it was taken only in the very wee hours of this morning) it's all about the colours, and how they seem to make a small bubble in a single moment swooshing past so electric. Also, I love that dress. It's the first party frock I've owned since I was about eight and it rules. Comfy and goes with Converse. It's already inspiring a tome-full of short stories. Who could ask for more? Put the two together and a strange harmony emerges. One I hope maintains itself for the next 364 days and beyond.
Thanks, guys! Kendra, I know exactly what you mean about the new year. It never fails to make me believe great things are about to happen!
Posted by: Emmms | January 03, 2007 at 03:00 PM
I love the dress, and I love the badger. Happy new year!
x
Posted by: Sharon | January 02, 2007 at 01:46 PM
Oh my god! I love your dress and it looks fabulous with those socks. It's strange that no matter how old I get I still feel excited by the beginning of a new year.
Posted by: Kendra | January 02, 2007 at 12:37 PM