New Year's Eve is a funny thing for a lot of people. On the one hand, you have those who are adamant about being out and about among throngs of people to share the revelry. On the other hand, you have some who insist on staying in -- either with the one(s) they love or alone. I have had experiences on both sides of the spectrum. I still cannot say which I truly prefer, because I have had both good and not-so-good experiences in both situations. For the closing of 2009, my wonderful brother R invited me to share in dinner at the Chart House with a handful of friends. I love the Chart House, I always have. I'm rarely disappointed by the food or service. I feel comfortable in the restaurant -- its open design and view of the Potomac are pleasing to me.
This night was not disappointing. I arrived around 8:30 because the reservation was for 9pm, and I was told the group would gather for drinks at the bar beforehand. The company was good, the conversations better and Chart House did not let me down, yet again. Oh, I forgot to mention the people-watching aspect -- always interesting, and moreso on such an evening -- especially the later it got! Ah, youth is truly wasted on the young, is it not? Anyway...
At around 11:30 we made our way out of the restaurant. Yes, I know: we left before the "magic hour." So what? When you're of a certain age, it really doesn't matter where you are or what you're doing at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. This I have learned well. And a bonus for me: driving up the beltway at 11:45 meant NO TRAFFIC! A rartiy in this locale. I got home, got comfy, read for a bit, and slept the sleep of the innocent. Welcome, 2010, however quietly you arrived in my world.
