I never talked to the neighbor. I could sort of hear what he was up to thanks to thin walls.

In one part of my brain I knew he was from Scotland. In another part, I knew that New Year's Eve is a huge holiday in Scotland, called Hogemanny.

I could hear on New Year's Eve he stayed home. He had a few friends over. They quietly talked all night. Quiet, friendly, dusk to dawn and beyond.

I would think to observe New Year's Eve, you stay awake til midnight and some after. He knew that you stay awake all night through morning. Present for the whole change.