Re: Introductions - "It's about time...Oh, I thought you already new..."

Inevitable...Unenviable: Yup, inevitable that, round about midnight, from here to there (as in way east of us, as in New Zealand where it is, at this posting almost already midnight...."out time"), that we would, around the world, some ceremoniously, others hardly noticing, as in dozing off...ring, bring in a New Year! Depending, of course, on one's point of view, your experiences throughout the past one, you either want to hang on, "freeze frame", or wish it "good riddance...this year could not go/come quick enough..." Inevitably, though, "Father Time" and "Mother Nature" seem to set a course for us that we don't always "get" even when we are in deep intro- or even retro-spection...

IN-Specter, Scepter, Inter... Even as we, depending on where "we" are, geographically, psychologically, generationally speaking..."I know where you're coming from..." are "celebrants" of this thing we call a "new year" we all have a least a bit of awareness, unless we have been completely reclusive, of how the past is linked to the present as well as...how even "current events" are unfolding in this "Brand spanking new year" (I'll re-turn to this soon) that may give us a glimpse...as in "Vietnam factory malaise raises specter of New Year labor strikes..." how we live in a global economy now and how things over there affect US here...And a time when we see some time-honored traditions carrying on, literally, as in the form of a scepter: "The king (queen, most recently) is dead, long live the king..." Phraseology that has been with us a long time, a seemingly contradictive statement, but one that actually ensures that the one who just passed on will be properly remembered, while simultaneously assuring the public continuity, even "sovereignty" as the new monarch (or whoever) picks up the reigns, the scepter...At which time, of course, "proper introductions" are always indicated...

Time after Time: My imagination, at such moments as in the "fading moments" of the last year, and in the "dawn of the next" (which is about the time I am posting this), re:garding "Introductions" themselves, as in how to introduce you to a new year, how to introduce myself to someone new (from royalty to more uncommon folk), or someone I have not seen for a protracted period (whether due to pandemic circumstances or those we have done to ourselves, as in estrange-meant) is enhanced at least a bit by re-hearsal, by having something to say, offer about me, but more about the other person, as in "showing interest" even re-flecting "you have done your homework". But, then there's the collective comments I over-heard throughout the "gatherings" (see late posts from the past year re:garding such occasions) associated with the act itself...the act of "party of the first part..." introducing two to each other..."It's about time you finally brought her to meet us, you've been dating how long now?" "I wondered when you'd get around to introducing me; I've been patiently, but anxiously awaiting the opportunity..." Whereas the "party of the second part", the respondent in such (highly formal to casual acquaintances) -- "Well, I've been kind of busy hosting, toasting, working the room, and anyways, I thought you already knew each other..." "I was actually on the way over here but got rudely interrupted, intercepted by that troublemaker, you know...what's-her-name..." And, finally, as a way of introducing you, my still appreciated parties, to the next post...there's the awkward introductions to someone we thought we knew, but turns out...

"You don't know Jack!"