Three-sixty-five.

525,600 minutes: how do you measure a year?
In Daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee.
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.

In 525,600 minutes, how do you measure a year in the life?

How about love? Measure in love. Seasons of love. - Seasons of Love, from Rent

The IT Department has graciously restricted our internet access again this week because of the remaining holidays. This led to rather embarrassing situations wherein some support agents were not able to assist callers because their websites were surf-controlled. Nuninuninu.

But hey, the year's changing in a few hours. A few days of internet restriction shouldn't dampen our spirits. Of course I have to write this entry outside the office and post it hours in advance but what the fuck. Let's all drink and be merry this New Year. Or in my case -- pretend to drink, substitute alcohol with holiday food, and be merry while locked in the office for the night.

Since champagne is the traditional drink for celebrating the New Year, I'm posting some cocktail recipes. I'll pretend that I'm sharing a toast of them with you guys.

Cheers!

Mimosa
* 1/2 oz triple sec
* 1 1/2 oz fresh orange juice
* 3 1/2 oz chilled Champagne
* orange slice for garnish

1. Build the ingredients in the order given in a Champagne flute.
2. Garnish with the orange slice.

Bellini
* 2 oz peach juice or peach puree
* 4 oz Champagne

1. Pour the peach juice or peach puree into a Champagne flute.
2. Slowly add the Champagne.

Mistletoe
* 1 oz white tequila
* 1/2 oz triple sec
* 1/2 oz fresh pomegranate juice
* Champagne
* pomegranate seeds for garnish

1. Pour the tequila, triple sec and pomegranate juice in a chilled Champagne flute.
2. Fill with Champagne.
3. Garnish with pomegranate seeds.

Poinsettia
* 1/2 oz Cointreau or triple sec
* Champagne
* 3 oz cranberry juice

1. Chill all of the ingredients beforehand.
2. Pour the Cointreau and cranberry juice into a chilled Champagne flute.
3. Stir well.
4. Top with Champagne.

French 75
* 1/4 oz lemon juice or sour mix
* 1/4 oz gin
* 1/4 oz Cointreau
* 5 oz Champagne

1. Pour the lemon juice or sour mix, gin and Cointreau into a shaker with ice cubes.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into a chilled Champagne flute.
4. Carefully add the Champagne.

Strawberry Bellini
1 1/2 ounces strawberry puree
5 ounces champagne

1. Pour strawberry puree into the bottom of a champagne flute.
2. Top with champagne.