Justin Terveen

I know you are tired of the year-end lists, the resolutions. The time for wishing is over, and the time for doing has begun.

By now you have probably been forwarded or seen some of the observant commentary on The Paris Review's recent piece, "Dallas, Part 1: From Afar," by Edward McPherson. It's a lovely meditation on why Dallas is and how it came to be, and thoughtfully connects our city's truths with Dallas the TV show's fictions, linking our real-life mythologies with our fantastic ones.

But the thing about mythology, I suppose, is it starts with some grain of truth. A year, a crime, a tragedy and the way it plays into our real-life identity, personality and legacy are entirely up to us, and out of any individual's control. Joseph Campbell taught me long ago that myths "... are public dreams, and dreams are private myths," so it makes sense that Dallas' two most popular legends, an assassination and a soap opera, have become so specifically involved in the Dallas personality and so easily adapted by everyday people, new year, after new year. Even a nightmare is a dream we must deal with.

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We got overserved for the Omni. Did you?

Resolutions. I have only ever kept one.

Still, the year's end is a moment to take inventory of what I want less or more of, and it's hard not to get swept up in the promise-keeping to our newer, shinier, skinnier, well-read selves. I will get eight hours of sleep. I will not consume simple carbs. I will drink so much water. I will. I will. I will. Will I?

See also:
- Five good bets for NYE in Dallas

We are a city that likes more of everything, and at this point, I can't say it's such a terrible thing. More options, more music, more exhibits, more collectives. While I would never encourage it for the sake of it, the increasing possibilities have me excited about what the next year in Dallas may look and sound like.

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OK, it's almost here. Time to slip into that annual existential crisis and wonder just WHERE IS YOUR LIFE GOING? Look, there is no real answer to that question. Also, you can totally contribute to where your life is going.

But before we swim through the waters of your put-off resolutions, let's make some plans, because a countdown is a comin' and you need some Champagne in your system. Here is my list of The Overserved-approved parties around town to help you weed through the party planning just a bit.

See also:
- Even more NYE parties

NYE 2013: The Shape of Things to Come
Texas Theatre
Dress elegantly and visit the Texas Theatre for a little time travel. The evening will be hosted by George Quartz and will feature Tearist, Yesterday's Gold DJs, the Danielle Georgiou Dance Group and more. With a Champagne toast at midnight and some of the city's most unique and progressive entertainment, if you have a sophisticate on your arm, this New Year's date will impress. Tickets range from $17-$20. And look, here is a weird video.

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Deb Doing Dallas

The memory is a little hazy, but we think that's Flight Facilities at Rio Room

I used to have a neighbor who would refer to me as Night Queen. Sitting outside on a shared porch area, he'd see me arrive home after work, settle into my place for dinner or some such activity, and emerge hours later to go see what everyone was up to. He'd remark on my consistency. I took offense at first, confusing his moniker with some party-girl insult. But once I asked him, "Why do you call me that?"

He smiled at me and said, "Because when I get home from work, I make dinner and watch TV, but you don't stay home, because you are curious." Indeed, there was plenty to be curious about this year.

Thursdays went out of their way to be the night we were forced to be in myriad places at once. I think I even pulled it off a couple of times, too. Digging way back into spring, the Thursday night battle between DJ Sober's Big Bang at Beauty Bar and the DJ series then hosted at Rio Room was notable, especially Rio hosting Alan Braxe and Flight Facilities. Still, Thursdays at Big Bang continue to keep me dancing till last call, and not noticing how sweaty the crowd has gotten till the lights come on.

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Deb Doing Dallas

There are handsome men in suits drinking at Timothy Oulton all the time.

Here we are. Halfway through December. Are you doing okay? Are you sick to death of the Christmas carols yet? I still haven't gotten to do one of those gift exchanges where you get to steal your favorite gift; I think I am going to hold on to my holiday cheer till I can yank a $50 candle from someone's unsuspecting hands.

In this season of cheer, it's easy to make the slow evolution to Scrooge. We don't want that for you here at The Overserved. We are interested in getting you through this holiday season with style, ease and charity, so we have prepared a little list of our favorite places in Dallas to go alone. It's a necessary indulgence this time of year, and a gift to your fellow man. An hour or two to yourself in any of these perfect places, and you will be recharged for all the holiday small-talk, or ready to take on a secret office affair at your annual shindig, or ohmygod your family.

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Dear Santa, please do not let "new" Big Tex look like Gaston from Beauty and the Beast

Naughty or nice, it's time to finalize our Christmas wishes and overnight them to Santa, for those (like me) who have procrastinated. With the recent announcement that Neiman Marcus is allowing adults to crawl through those magical interactive holiday windows on Thursday evenings, for a $20 suggested donation to the North Texas Food Bank, one of The Overserved's wishes has already come true. Which got me thinking: What else does Dallas need delivered the night of the 25th?

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Dylan Hollingsworth

Sarah Jaffe is making her national television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live, this Tuesday, December 11. And because we're always looking for a reason to have a party, our nightlife columnist, The Overserved, has put together a watching party in conjunction with the Granada Theater. The details: There will be live music, jams from DJ Trademarx and a watching party on the Sundown's patio. Bonus: You could win a pair of tickets to the sold-out December 19 Marina & the Diamonds show at the Granada. Starts at 10 p.m. FREE.

Daniel Driensky

Let them eat caviar

It's December, and the world may be ending soon. The sparkly silver lining: we get to see Dallas dressed up in her holiday finest one last time before surrendering to the ever-reliable Mayan calendar.

This weekend, the stars aligned to kick off this festive season in style. Friday, the Gallery at the Fairmont feted CAVIAR, which includes the collections of artists Daniel Perez, Daniel Driensky and Ray Albarez with special guest Ufilmhouse, and runs through the end of the month. DJ Trademarx provided the soundtrack as more than 200 folks spied the mixed mediums represented within the show. Paintings, photographs, films and chalk drawings whet the palettes and the interactive bow-tie instructional kept hands busy.

Saturday, the pressure to keep it tight and right only increased with the third anniversary party for Sister Brother Management, the Dallas-based agency representing the city's most established photographers and stylists, at the new Four Corners Brewing Co. In each of those corners was a photographer, a stylist, an artist, a writer, a musician. It was a gluttonous night of interesting conversation, striking aesthetics and Belvedere vodka. Zhora was a perfect match for entertainment, provoking a few attendees to remove some very nice heels in order to dance more comfortably before artist Tony Bones smashed the Sister Brother piñata in an epic last call.

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Rico DeLeon III

When you get a call from Blake Ward, notorious for his Glamorama party at Beauty Bar, kindly calling you a tastemaker and asking you to do a guest hour on the decks at The Dram, you smile, agree and then panic about what hour of music you are going to play.

We have talked about how easy it is for someone to just grab some software, choose a cheesy name about an Internet meme and go right to the decks. I respect the craft of the DJ too much to suggest I was doing anything more than making a mixtape, but still I got the allure. And I must admit, it felt nothing but cool to send out an invite to friends: "Hey, I am doing a set at The Dram. Roll through."

Wednesday nights at The Dram are a nice mid-week break from the noise. It's still rather dark and beautiful in there. Ward's Wednesday night will continue to feature guests, and you can expect friends from his Rolodex of musicians, artists and, I guess, writers. I wouldn't be surprised to see some of the popular nightlife kids behind the 1s and 2s on occasion.

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Deb Doing Dallas

The view from City Park

As a teenager, I remember eating breakfast at a friend's home after spending the night. We were all gathered, about to take some little sister types get their photo taken with Santa Claus. My friend's grandmother used to be a shop girl at Neiman Marcus, and told us stories of her days at the luxury retailer, describing receiving your first line of Neiman Marcus credit as,"a distinctly Dallas rite of passage for any young woman."

Walking into the flagship Neiman Marcus downtown is a beautiful escape almost any time you visit. Walking through those heavy glass doors feels so of-the-minute Dallas, and simultaneously like you have traveled to the past. But there is no time more whimsical than the holiday season to browse their beautifully decorated interior, or spend an afternoon with those infamous window displays.

This past Saturday, City Lights officially kicked of our holiday season, unveiling those interactive windows and lighting trees from City Park all the way up Main Street. Neiman's has always been special at Christmas, but these interactive windows have established a new tradition. Entering on the Main Street entrance, kids can climb through the chutes and ladders of a holiday display of cars, treasured jewels and candy. Parents watch as their children become the art, before literally sliding out of the front window.

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