No one can be that shallow! Can they?

on the way home after NYE celebrations

Happy new year. I hope everyone celebrated the coming of 2004 among the company of family and friends, because I didn't - in fact, my NYE was quite dismal for a number of reasons. Firstly, I fought my way through the throngs of people who gather in Tsim Sha Tsui after my relatives abandoned me went home. I finally reached Kowloon Pier on Victoria Harbour which just happened to be a clear night - unusual for Hong Kong because there is always a thick blanket of fog/smog/pollution hanging in the air. Anyway, I was by myself on the pier surrounded by one of the best night time scenery in the world and no one to share it with...except for one person, Snowjay. Although I don't know him very well, the thought of spending NYE with a local was very appealing. However, my feeble attempts of contacting him were thwarted by my stupidity for failing to recharge the mobile phone and the dense concentration of mobile phones in the vicinity rendering my only means of communication inoperable. Alas, I was all by myself. This made me feel quite upset and depressed because everyone else around had at least one person to talk to - even the cleaners had fellow cleaners to converse with.

So I sat there, alone and cold by the waterfront waiting for an eventful countdown. But did it happen? Yes it did, but not what I had expected. The countdown was performed in Canto *obviously* which I couldn't follow until the timer hit 20 where my attempts at instilling english to those around me where drowned out by the roar of the crowd. So I counted down in Canto too. Another sad highlight.

But the real fizzle was the lack of fizzle - there were no fireworks, no big bang, no bright lights, no giant orgy - just a bunch of Asians yelling and jumping up and down. The lack of alcohol also ensured that no free entertainment in the form of fights and tantrums occurred. A real disappointment. Even the real wacky and weird revolting, utterly disgusting fashion of honkie girls failed to cite some snide remarks from me (for those who know me, complaining is entertainment for me).

So my NYE was quite a downer. But I had one highlight which lifted my severely depressed spirits. On the way back from the waterfront, we were ushered by the police to follow a stupid procession out of the area which happened to bypass the Peninsula and its arcade. For those who don't know and from those who do, the Peninsula is one of the best hotels in the world and the best in Hong Kong. Anyway, the ground floor of the Peninsula is graced by the likes of Louis Vuitton, Prada, Versace, Tiffany and Co, Celine, Manolo Blanik (???), Boss, Gucci, Cartier, Ferragamo and more (many more) and as I strolled along these procession of boutiques, I started to smile - a first for the night. Why? Because I was content in knowing that one day, I will be able to shop at the Peninsula Arcade (I've already shopped there but left empty handed).

So I formed my new years resolution - to shop at the Peninsula. This will entail returning to Hong Kong and significantly raising the credit limit on my Mastercard.

So my lack of companionship for NYE was made up for by...what else - dreams. Who ever said money doesn't buy happiness has never shopped at the Peninsula.

Anyway, I really do hope everyone enjoyed the start of 2004 and my dismal NYE only strengthens my resolve to have a better start to '05.

tyarrhea now looking for a psychiatrist to address his addiction to frivilous expenditure

p.s. check out WS website for some pics. You can get there by clicking here.

posted by tykang @ 1/02/2004 01:52:00 AM