Happy New Year! A happy and healthy 2019 to all.

How (Not) to Celebrate the New Year: advice from 700 AD (hint — if you dress up as a stag or a calf you’ll spend 3 years doing penance).

Strange New Year traditions around the world.

Smithsonian’s Top 11 Stories of 2018


The Guardian’s best photographs of 2018, with commentary by the people who shot them. Also, National Geographic’s 100 best images of the year, and their best animal photos.


The surprising origins of the New Year’s Eve ball-drop tradition.

Lifehacker’s most popular posts of 2018

The 16 best gadgets of 2018

The Top 10 websites for science in 2018

Advice from 1862: How to Tell Your Fortune for the New Year

Dave Barry’s 2018 Year in Review. Here’s the 2017 version, and the columns for previous years are available here.

Some links to avoid becoming philogrobolized

Your Complete Guide to the Science of Hangovers

Infographic on the anatomy of a hangover

Hangover cures from famous heavy drinkers

Scientists Find a Way to Cut Wine Hangovers

5 Really Strange Ways to Cure a Hangover

Dark Liquor Makes for Worse Hangovers

How to Cure a Hangover in 10 Simple Steps

According to a study in the Journal of Food Science, the amino acids and minerals found in asparagus extract may alleviate alcohol hangover and protect liver cells against toxins.

My favorite New Year’s resolution story



Why We Sing Auld Lang Syne on New Year’s Eve, and here’s Mark Steyn singing and explaining the song What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?

Eat your heart out, New York: Boise, Idaho drops a giant potato downtown on New Year’s Eve.

ICYMI, Most recent (all Christmas-related) links are here.