Spoke to Jas in Nov (or thereabouts) to see if going out for NYE was something he was interested in or something that perhaps was no longer relevant for us. He mentioned he was keen to do something so I was content.
Time passed, it was getting close to Xmas and still no word about NYE - this was slightly concerning. After Xmas we played golf on the 28th and JC confirmed that NYE was still a go and we considered that maybe somewhere like the Shoe or somewhere lesser known in the city might be good and maybe even would get Trav to come out - this seemed like a good plan, perhaps not as exciting as usual but still solid. Treaded water for the next two days, swam in the Coogee shark net every evening (pretty busy) and still no update - not good! It was about 10pm on the 29th now, I was a little anxious so decided to check FB to see if Jas had pulled a shifty and bought tickets to an event without telling me. FB indicated that he was going to Marketgrounds… I was tired and knew tickets would sell out very soon… I bought a ticket. Msgd Jas to confirm if he was going, he wasn’t but he bought two tickets ASAP.
Swam, went to the gym, watched cricket and Alone season 1 on SBS and then it was NYE - my fav week of the year was coming to the end 😕😕😕😕😕😕.
Marketgrounds, the destination that we’d been to for three New Year’s in a row and one that I was happy to go to again. For once I was on top of things and ahead of schedule. Got a lift to Bentley from parents and made it there by 6pm. JC, myself, Trav & Kristen watched tv and had pre drinks at Jas’. Trav was not going to come out, got lift from Trav & Laura to Jolimont so I could get dressed, it is late now and we pushing our luck. Get a taxi from Jolimont to Marketgrounds and arrive about 10pm, was busy and could no crazy COVID restrictions like last year.
Went upstairs to get drinks, get served quickly as feeling confident. Go downstairs and sit outside to drink. The next hour we just drink outside and talk - I can’t believe 2022 is almost over. I feel good though and think about msging Vesper or KC etc as they not here this year.
It’s getting close to midnight and we keep drinking, eventually go to the dance floor as it’s getting close. The countdown comes and it’s always f*cking weird, knowing one year is about to end (something you don’t really think about until you get to December). The excitement builds and thank god it ticks over to 00:00 - can finally relax! Fireworks are going off and people are getting loose. Dance floor is pretty hectic. We have a few more drinks and I know it’s time for me to leave as I’m third wheeling hard. We all leave about 1 and I head hard to the train station, make the train in time and make it to Jolimont quick.
I get changed and put on running clothes with a backpack, head back to the train station and make it onto a busy train with lots of people, I’m thankful that I make train in time but i remember that trains go every 15 mins on New Year’s, this time I’m not on one of the last trains like 2015/16 when I was pretty drunk. After about 20 mins we in Freo.
I start walking at 2:22 and not in the mood to run. South Beach so shifty, there a rave going on but I make it past ok. Walking is taking so long and headache is going so I start running. Near the power plant I get close to a shadowy figure, he is drunk and gets scared by me so I apologise. Once I get around the corner I start running again. I’m starting to feel real good. I make it home 3:22. 2022 is over, I fall asleep.
