Kilty Larkin’s

Happy New Year - yes - but New Years Eve tends to be one of those days that is very depressing for people. There are so many expectations that come with new years eve that people are often left feeling let down by themselves or others. One of the reasons for this is the tradition of new years resolutions. This tradition requires that each person states on new years eve, what they are going to change about their life, or what they are going to accomplish in the coming year. Often times these resolutions are broken before the confetti is cleaned up from the New Years Eve celebration. A good resolution to make is to not make any resolutions.

Another reason that New Years Eve often is disappointing is that it marks the end of the celebration of the holiday season. During the holiday season people tend to eat too much, drink too much, and spend more time with relatives that they manage to avoid during the rest of the year. There is usually traveling involved and time off from the regular routines of school and work. All of these factors combined with broken resolutions makes for a New Years Eve that is not a cause for celebration.

New Years Eve does not have to be this way. If New Years Eve is a day that depresses you do something different. Start a tradition of your own that will make new years eve a true celebration. There are many ideas of things that you can do. If you live in an area where there is snow, go sledding or ice skating as a family. If you live in a warmer climate check out a hiking trail or build a fire on the beach.

One of the safest ideas is to create a fun New Years Eve event at home. Prepare a special meal together as a family. Eat it in a room that you ordinarily do not eat in. Play some board games while you listen to each others favorite music. Spend time talking about the holiday season that is coming to an end and what each person’s favorite memory is. Often times people fear that this type of family gathering is going to meet resistance from the children, but children crave spending quality time as a family and what better day to do this but on new years eve, which marks a fresh start. Many people do not stay at home because they feel obligated to go to a new years eve party. Feeling obligated does not usually put one in the best party mood, so why go.

New Years Eve has the potential to be a great day if you just allow yourself to develop new traditions to celebrate the passing of one year and the beginning of another. New Years Eve does not have to be filled with regrets and thoughts of failure, it is up to you to allow yourself a positive beginning to the new year. So, say it again - Happy New Year!

Is it Halloween yet? Man, it is taking forever to get here! I just can’t wait to scare some tiny trick-or-treaters. That is always my favorite part. I can whip out my handy vampire makeup, glue in my fake fangs and pull on my dark cloak. You should just see how well I actually resemble Dracula. Okay, minus the whole bug eating thing.

Anyway, that night full of spooks, strange sounds, and howling monsters sure can be a blast if you do it right. Last year I was able to scare at least a dozen little witches, goblins and ghouls out of their wits. Of course then I gave them a hefty portion of candy to smooth things over. This way they get the full effect of that eerie autumn night that only comes around once each year. They get the trick and the treat. Anyone else up for a little Halloween fun and excitement? That spooky evening is drawing near.

What are you going to be for Halloween this year? Have you tried the new Freddy costumes yet? Or maybe you’re more of a Jason fan. There is certainly something to be said about all that 80s slasher flick propaganda. It seems like we horror movie nuts can’t get enough of it. Why else would we spend our Halloweens prancing around like a cinema serial killer?

Personally I tend to go with the same costume every year. I know what you’re thinking; how boring. Well, when it comes to vampire makeup and a good set of fangs, I just have trouble saying no. Surely there is a costume or character that has this same effect on you. Is it a witch, warlock or werewolf? Or do you like to invent your own monster get-up?

Regardless of what you like to be, the best place to shop for supplies is the World-Wide-Web. Where did you think I got my fangs and vampire makeup? The reason I prefer cyberspace is because of the selection. Compared to Halloween shops and other stores, there is simply no question. I don’t care if you’re searching for mere vampire makeup or an entire King Kong costume, the Internet is the place to look. Not to mention you can do it easily from the privacy of your own home. You can hardly beat that.

So if you’re ready to go costume hunting or just need to pick up some fake blood and vampire makeup, hop online and check out the selection. They literally have prices that compete with anyone.

Having a poker party seems to be one of the hottest trends among young males in the 18 to 24 age range. Unfortunately, not as many women are into the game and have become quite exasperated with this addiction.

Poker is definitely a guy’s game. The only women who seem to be interested in poker are either trying to hook up with one of the male players, or she is a certified cheater! I don’t know if part of poker’s appeal has to do with the word itself. Young guys are amused quite easily and can be painfully immature. Perhaps there is a sexual connotation in the word itself that they just can’t get enough of, that they feel will invoke them with some sexual prowess previously found lacking. Whatever the appeal, women in general are not enamored with poker itself or with the young men who have fallen prey to it’s vice. The sooner men get this through their heads, the happier we all will be.

So, in the name of peace and harmony, here are a few pointers:

If the boys want to have a poker party, odds are that they should be prepared to spend the evening without female companionship. You could always hire a few beauties - but that’s another story, and another gamble! I don’t know what it is - perhaps a combination of things: from entirely too much testosterone in one room, gorging themselves on way too much pizza and beer, indulging in smelly cigars and telling way too many dirty jokes, but when these men return from a poker party they are best advised to head straight to bed, perhaps stopping only for a cleansing shower, and then calling it a night. No woman in her right mind is going to want to spend the rest of her evening with a guy who’s been reduced to the lowest common denominator by an evening of poker.

In fact if you want your lady friend to care about your gambling skills at all, the only way to bring it up is by buying her something really lavish and then nonchalantly slipping into the conversation that you bought this special gift with your poker winnings. Simply bragging will get you nowhere and will only dig you into a deeper hole, falling out of the good graces of your lovely lady.

Never ever admit that you were cleaned out in a game. You will never be allowed to gamble again, if you want to keep your girl. She will not feel sorry for you and will ban all forthcoming poker parties that you may have in your plans. Also realize that she will never forget about it.

When the smoke clears , we all need to realize that some games are best left to the boys. Let’s keep it that way and then everybody will be happy - so let’s have a poker party!