1. Happy New Year’s Eve! I’ve been so wrapped up in the house and future house plans that I got confused what year it will be yesterday. I plan on having my tonsils out in 2011, not 2012.
2. The Writer’s Almanac tells me that in Scotland, there’s a New Year’s tradition known as “first footing”:
…where right after midnight, a person from outside the house scrambles into the house of a neighbor or friend with some small gifts — becoming the first person to bring good fortune for the new year. In this Scottish tradition, it’s important that the first-footer is a tall dark-haired male.
If any tall dark-haired males with gifts care to visit tonight, I won’t turn them away. I’m just saying.
3. And finally, plan your meteor shower watching for 2011 with this handy guide from NASA.