family for me as well, although if the weather is nice, I'll be driving to Kingston, Ontario, about 8 hours from here, to hang out with a couple people for New Years. Just have to hope for no snow because I don't really want to drive that long if the weather is crap.
I'm seeing Star Wars on the 17th, so excited. I'm considering going in costume but dunno.
Totally feel you about the introspection thing. Stance to take, do you mean personally? Academically? Politically? If too private feel free to keep it to yourself.