2005 – A new year, a fresh beginning. Why is there so much significance attached to the New Year? Astronomically, it only suggests that the Earth has completed one revolution round the sun and is embarking on the same boring route again – nothing romantic really. Thus, all the romanticism linked to the New Year – which is largely attributed to the media’s glorification of it – is unwarranted; the notions of forgiveness, wiping the slate clean and new resolutions can be practised anytime, and should not be restricted by a date. Cynical? Not quite. What I’m suggesting is that all these benign ideas associated with the New Year should be part and parcel of our everyday life, and not merely surface when the clock starts ticking louder. Of course, this is a very idealistic proposal, especially in light of the failings of Man. Perhaps, that is why we need the New Year – to remind ourselves to cease our procrastination and incorporate the virtues we always preach but never practise in our lives.