Sunday, July 17, 2011

The one where the clock strikes 12

There has always been something magical about midnight. When I was a little kid, staying up until midnight (or trying to anyway) on New Year's Eve was the sign that you were ready to play with the big kids. We didn't go outside to bang pots like I've heard some families do and my mom was usually asleep on the couch but DAMMIT, I made it to midnight. Then I got older and I stayed up until midnight pretty much every day so New Year's Eve was less of a big deal.

A few years later... Wait, it was nearly a decade later... Midnight was my first curfew. It was the first taste of freedom - yes, go. Have fun. But get your ass home before your Grandfather's clock strikes 12:00. It felt sooooo late. Little did I know I would soon be hitting some raves and midnight would seem like a noose from my mom who just didn't understand what it was like to be young! Then I got older and I lived on my own with no curfew and while it was great, it was bittersweet knowing that nobody was waiting up for me anymore.

In my 20s, midnight was when the party started. There were clubs you just didn't go to before midnight because... GAH! Nobody cool goes anywhere before midnight! We'd have spent the evening pre-drinking at someone's apartment while primping and preening and getting ready to hit the dance floor, but only after we spent an extraordinary amount of time in line waiting to get in. Then we got a little older and we realized it was stupid to wait hours in the cold or the heat or the rain to have the privilege of spending our money in a particular establishment when there were at least 100 places with no line where we could just do just as much drinking and have someone actually appreciate our business.

Over the years the meaning of midnight has changed and its lustre has come and gone, only to be replaced by a new and wonderful meaning. Now midnight is a goal. The kid is in bed, the lunch is packed, the coffee maker is set and all the "stuff" that has to get done is done. If my eyes are closed before the clock rolls over to the AM, it has been a good day. When The Husband and I stop making it to midnight on Saturday night, we'll accept that we're a old married couple. And there's nothing wrong with that...

This post is part of GBE2. Week #9 Challenge - Midnight. For more info, click here.

21 comments:

Angela Parson Myers said...

Although I didn't go through all the stages you went through, I still had to laugh at how close mine were to yours. And now that my husband and I *are* an old married couple, he goes to bed at 9, but I, always the closet night owl, can stay up past midnight every night.

Anonymous said...

I loved the way you walked us through the many midnights of your life. Nicely done!

Jenni said...

that was a great post! I can totally relate to what you said. I recently attended a bachlorette party and I quickly remembered why I dont go out like i used to. Too late, too crowded, too expensive and (im gonna sound old here) too LOUD hahaha. i much rather spend my time at a friends or my house or a quiet neighborhood bar instead of standing 3 rows deep at a bar trying to be served. great job!! :)

Jenn said...

I think I still hold that midnight hour in that precious esteem it has always had for me. I like how you shared the many midnights through your life with us. Great blog!! Jenn

Catch My Words said...

Wonderful post. You're not really old until you don't make it to midnight on New Year's Eve. That hasn't happened to us yet, but some years we've fought to stay up and watched our boring friends leave before midnight. Great post. I'm your newest follower.

Joyce
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com

The Host said...

Angela - The experiences at each stage may change, but I'll bet the stages themselves don't.

WordNerd - Thank you! :) I wonder what the next stage will be?

Jenni - Yup, had that experience. Standing at a club, looking around and deciding "I'm too old to be here" - not because of what the calendar had to say, just because I would rather have been somewhere, ANYWHERE, else!

Jenn - Yes, I think midnight will always mean something to me, even if the meaning changes over the years.

Joyce - The year I was pregnant I almost didn't make it to midnight on NYE, but I think that bears a special exception. I'm sure it will happen someday, though, and then what midnight means to me will just be something different.

Thanks for stopping by, all!

Paula Martin said...

Love the different stages, most of which I can relate to (apart from clubbing after midnight, never did that!)

Jennifer Wilck said...

Wow, we went in very similar directions with this one. Lovely job!

Unknown said...

You are so right. Midnight does transform as we age. Loved your take on it!!

Kathy
http://www.thetruckerswife.com/

Anonymous said...

This was a post that I'm sure a lot of us can relate to! Great job!

Laura Rogers said...

Thank God our perspective on midnight changes. I love this look at midnight. I must admit mine now looks quite similar to yours.

Laura

My Train Wreck...err I mean My Life..... said...

Wow, the similarities..hahah Now midnight signals something totally different and I have to say I'm grateful that it does and I'm getting oldER. haha Great blog!

Good Girl Gone Green said...

It is all so true, did it all! I remember going out to clubs or bars, and midnight was so early! Now all I want to do is sleep...LOL! Oh and Happy Hopping!

SJerZGirl said...

Nice descriptive timeline of your life. My daughter's in the "party starts at midnight" stage right now, even on work nights. Honestly, I never had that stage. But, I never partied, either. I'm so dammed boring! LOL

Jo said...

I suppose a lot of us went through similar 'stages' of midnight, but honestly, for me it has always held that certain magic. I love the night.
Wonderfully done, you took us through your life to date...with more to come.

The Host said...

Paula - It was a short phase. You didn't miss much.

Jennifer, Laura - You know what they say about great minds!

Kathy - Thanks! Can't wait to see what it looks like in... Oh, who am I kidding. In 40 years I won't even remember what midnight looked like.

Beachlover - I think that's my fave thing about GBE so far, the common themes.

Trainwreck - The internet has made the world very small. I love it.

Good Girl - Nothing wrong with sleep. I can't remember the last time I wasn't tired.

SJ - The ability to Rock n' Roll all night and work every day goes away at about 25.

Jo - I'm a night owl by design but my job and my kid have other ideas. It hasn't been a smooth adjustment.

Brenda Stevens said...

LOLOLOL "it has become a GOAL" !! hehe this was great

Langley Cornwell said...

What a creative take on the subject. I love this post.

Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~ said...

Before I retired, midnight was the signal that if I didn't get into bed, I would be dragging my butt all day the next day. Now I'm retired and midnight has lost all power to dictate when I will sleep.

Loved your blog!

Eccentricity said...

Midnight or at least 11 before going out. I remember. ;-)

Mojo Writin said...

Gawd, if I make it to midnight I know I've had a couple of hours sleep during the day *chuckle* Lovely post, makes you think about how time changes.