Thoughts on partying, etc.

Why do people get so drunk on new years? I've been thinking about this on and off. It seems like everyone is just using it as an excuse for debauchery. I guess people are off work and so they use it for that, but it just seems so trite to me. Celebrations. Why do people celebrate an arbitrary point in the year? I guess it's something to do. Meh, 2011.