"Ring out the old, ring in the new. The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true." Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Alone on New Year's Eve? Okay, not the best situation, but really, not the worst either. Plenty of people are more alone in a relationship or a crowd than you are, simply solo. Which is much sadder for them than for you.

Don't be sad, embrace the idea of a night all to yourself to do whatever you want. Then figure out what that is and do it.

My husband and I used to party every year but it gets old fast. Or maybe we have? Lately we've taken to staying home with a good movie after a good meal we've cooked together. Some years we have dinner with friends, then home.

That's the plan this year. Down the street for dinner. Home early. He works hard, it's just another night at the end of a long work day. So he'll be asleep somewhere between 10 and 11pm.

That leaves me with lots of time to do my own thing. Sometimes I wake him at midnight for a New Year's kiss. Sometimes he stays awake to, well, start the year with a bang. (Jeez, did I just say that??)

Other times he goes back to sleep, and I curl up next to him with a book til I'm sleepy too. Or, if I'm still in vampire mode, I go back to whatever I was doing.

Here they are, 15 Ways to Enjoy a Solo New Year's Eve, even if you're not alone.

1. Remind yourself it's one night a year people feel compelled to get drunk and act stupid. If they do, they are. You are not. (Or, if you get drunk by yourself, no one will know if you act stupid).

2. If you like to cook, make yourself a great meal. Bake something decadent too, just for you.

3. Play your favorite music LOUD and dance. (Do NOT play sappy sad songs that encourage you to cry).

4. Google everyone you know.

5. Update all your social networking profiles and sites with outrageous new descriptions.What? I'm not gonna tell you what to say!

6. Catch up on all those blog posts you've been meaning to read! Or, WAIT! Set up a party on your blog! C'mon, who's gonna do that this year? I'll be there as soon as hubby's asleep. We can all tell each other what we're not wearing...

8. Look through old photo albums and pull out pictures that could help you remember and tell that story. Or just let the memories flow.

9. Call your parents, grandparents, family or any friends you know might be alone and in need of some love. Say thank you, or just listen.

10. If you have a talent or gift, use it. Paint, sculpt, throw a pot, write, take photos ... knock yourself out with something spectacular. (This could also include a vibrator... just sayin'). Or not.

11. Start reading --or writing-- that book.

12. Pamper yourself. Take a hot bath with bubbles and candles and music. Tweeze, pluck, masque, exfoliate, moisturize, cream, mani, pedi, the works. Guys, you too. Don't forget the nose and ear hair, please.

13. Two words (or is it one word?): YouTube.

14. Gather, rent or find On Demand your all-time favorite movies, settle in with treats galore and revel in their wondrously familiar worlds.

15. Remind yourself that no matter what, expectations for New Year's Eve are always, always overblown and always, always under-realized. It's the new year that counts, not the countdown to it. What can you do, how can you contribute, where are you needed most by your family, friends, school, neighborhood, place of worship, community, government, planet?

HERE'S TO JOINING, HOWEVER WE CAN, THE JOB OF INSURING A HAPPIER, BRIGHTER, STRONGER, HEALTHIER, SAFER, SMARTER, CHEAPER (IN A GOOD WAY), EASIER, CLEANER, NEW DECADE OF PEACE, FREEDOM, DECENCY, EQUALITY AND LONG LIFE FOR ALL!

*Re # 7, the true story of my Near Death Experience:  New Years Eve, 1973, The First Night of the Rest of My Life