As I write this, the city's gone afire. At least a certain part of it has. The other part, the underprivileged section, would be glad of at least some sort of fire in this chilly night. It's 5 minutes to zero hour, and Hail the New Year. Though I stand in mortal danger from my partying friends when I say this, I see absolutely no use of these lavish, posh, dance-the-night-through parties, especially when they are held under the pretext of welcoming the new year. I won't be as archaic as my mom to say, what's the use of partying when you're one year closer to death? Morbid philosophy! But, on the other hand, there can be no reason for indulging in extremes, just because it's New Year, dude! You got to party, man!? Spending Tk 2,000 for a night-long bash at Sheraton is just sheer waste of money.

Still, I'll grant that people who've money to roll in won't view it thus, and it's a matter of personal choice.

But, when my neighbour throws an all-night party by hiring a mike for people to blare in, that is when I can't keep my mouth shut. Right now, there's Chhaiyya Chhaiyya? streaming in through my window. A few minutes back it was You are my Sonia. Not only is the singing off-key, the whole act is just plain vulgar. Who wants to listen to tasteless Hindi hits at 3 in the morning?