Preparing for a new year
[twen-tee, ih-lev-uh
n]
My anxiety of a new year has less to do with resolutions and more to do with syllables. Twenty-eleven just does not roll off the tongue like twenty-ten; Adding two more syllables over night is cumbersome and makes the transition of a new year even harder.
The last time we had a five-syllable year was 2007 but we were coming off four-syllable 2006 so it wasn’t quite as painful. Before that, it was 1999 and I would imagine we were too busy rocking out to Prince to notice.
1977 was the mouthful of the 20th century weighing in at a hefty seven syllables. But back then, people ditched the century and rolled with a mere ’77. That doesn’t seem to work with ’11.
On a positive note, 2011 has lots of interesting dates. Usually there is one date per calendar year where all of the numbers are the same.
9/9/99
1/1/01
2/2/02
3/3/03
But this year brings:
1/1/11
1/11/11
11/1/11
And the craziest date in the past one hundred years:
11/11/11
I bet the wedding reception halls are already filling up.
It will also make for a grand Veteran’s Day observance which commemorates the end of WWI which ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” of 1918.
Cooking up a little New Year's tradition
Despite the extra syllables, 2011 should be a good year. I’m keeping my same resolution as last year: Stop and Smell the Babies.
The peas and cabbage are simmering – here’s to a great year!
I would never have reaised any of this if I hadn’t read your post. I mustn’t be a deep enough thinker. In fact half the time I don’t seem to do any. (thinking that is!) One of my favourite role playing games will be released on 11/11/11 so I was aware of that significant date but not for the same reason. Happy New Year!
Ha! Technogran, I grew up with a mom who was obsessed with the date. She always pointed out 8/8/88 and 9/9/99, so I have a heightened awareness to it! Happy New Year to you!