Less than three hours until 2012

Here in Yokohama, it is less than three hours until midnight, the end of 2011 and the start of 2012. Ruth and I are sharing a quiet night cocooning at home. Around 11:30 we will turn on the TV and listen for the temple bells on NHK. As the last of the 108 bells rings, we should also hear the ships in the harbor sound their foghorns. If we were younger, we might head out to the local shrine to participant-observe in the hatsumode prayers for the new year. If we were lucky, the shrine might be serving amazake (sweet sake) to those who come to pay their respects to the god. More likely, we will just go to bed.

I wonder what other Voles will be up to on New Year’s Eve and wish everyone here a happy, healthy, productive and prosperous 2012.

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