Song Lyric of the Day:
New York City / Such a beautiful disease / New York City / Such a beautiful / Such a beautiful disease
Norah Jones / “New York City”
12:05PM.
So we ended up ringing in the New Year here at my Aunt Bea’s house. We were in Times Square around 3PM yesterday, and I was exhilarated by the sheer number of people already there. Rich, being claustrophobic, was not nearly as exhilarated as I was. We grabbed lunch at Ollie’s Noodle Shop right there in Times Square before trekking into the crowd to find a spot. The weather was miserable–bitterly cold with a light, wet snow falling. As Rich and I walked along the sidewalk, I noticed the barricades blocking us from stepping into the street. I flagged down one of New York’s Finest and asked him about it. I already knew that the roads were going to be blocked off to all vehicular traffic starting at about 5PM, so I asked the officer if the sidewalk barricades would be moved and we would be allowed to claim a spot on the street. He explained that the barricades would be used to set up enclosures in the street for people to stand in.
“So, you mean we’d be in pens, kind of like cattle?” I asked. The officer nodded. “Yeah, exactly.”
At this point, I knew without looking that I’d lost Rich. Telling someone with claustrophobia that they’ll be penned up like cattle is not a good thing. Rich then asked the officer if it was true that if you left your spot even to go to the bathroom that you wouldn’t get it back. The officer said that was indeed true.
“So what do we do about drinking and having to go to the bathroom?” Rich asked. The officer said, “You stop drinking…” as he looked at his wristwatch “…now. And don’t drink anything until after the ball drops.”
These interesting little factoids (which we obviously hadn’t even thought about) along with knowing we’d have to take our backpacks back to Bea’s apartment in The Bronx and then come back, clinched it for us. (Backpacks aren’t allowed for safety reasons).
We hopped on the subway and came home to Bea’s apartment to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Even though I was really disappointed at not physically being in Times Square to see the ball drop, I think we made the right decision. Not only would we be going without food, water, and bathroom breaks for hours on end, but as Aunt Bea pointed out, “You don’t know who you end up in those pens with.” And did I mention the bitter cold? Alas, I know in my heart had I made the trek to Times Square for New Year’s Eve with my sister, Vanessa, she would’ve insisted on us getting adult diapers so we could continue to eat and drink with impunity throughout our penned captivity.
Bea, her fiance, Louis, Rich, and I were joined at the apartment by Harry, Hilda, and Hailey, Hilda’s granddaughter. We had a blast talking and just hanging out. Let me add that Bea’s great relief over us not spending New Year’s Eve in Times Square was a sentiment shared by both Mom and Momma Carol. We all donned our 2006 glitter eyeglasses and party hats, and had our noisemakers at the ready. When the ball dropped, everyone exchanged kisses and toasted with champagne. As is my custom, I then called my parents, sisters, and friends to wish them all a happy new year. To add to the merriment, Bea, Harry, and Hilda were yelling “Happy New Year” out the window at the top of their lungs as I made my calls. Good times.
Once Harry, Hilda, and Hailey left, Louis went to bed and Bea, Rich, and I ended up watching our first movie of 2006 together on cable: the horror movie May. Talk about freaky.
Today Rich, Bea, Louis, and I are heading to Queens to visit the American Museum of the Moving Image. Yet another reason I love it here–I can visit a museum devoted solely to the history, process, and evolution of moviemaking.
Before I forget, here are some of my new year resolutions:
- Get an agent who will get my children’s book published
- Stop swearing as much
- Be a lot more organized–I will live and die by lists
- Eat healthier, including drinking a lot less soda (at least, stop upsizing fast food)
- Get a job that will lead to a career
- Pursue acting opportunities before I’m too old
Here’s to a fantastic 2006!
