A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-28-07 to 1-1-08....New Year's Eve In Times Square

Aquamarine

[Aquamarine]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 200,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

Every year as the clock nears midnight on December 31st, the eyes of the world turn once more to the dazzling lights and bustling energy of Times Square. Anticipation runs high. New Year's Eve is in the symbolic center of New York City "The City That Never Sleeps".

New Year's Eve in Times Square is chaotic, crowded, and out of control. People begin arriving late in the afternoon on New Year's Eve. By approximately 6:00 p.m., the Bow Tie of Times Square (42nd to 47th Sts. Between Broadway & 7th Ave.) is fully closed to traffic.

Times Square has achieved the status of an iconic world landmark and has become a symbol of its home city. Times Square is principally defined by its animated, digital advertisements. Known simply as One Times Square, it is famed for the "ball" which "drops" from a tower on its roof every New Year's Eve.

The "New" New Year's Eve Ball

Each year, millions of eyes from all over the world are focused on the sparkling Waterford Crystal Times Square New Year's Eve Ball. At 11:59 p.m., the Ball begins its descent as millions of voices unite to count down the final seconds of the year, and celebrate the beginning of a new year full of hopes, challenges, changes and dreams.

On October 4, 2007, the co-organizers of New Year’s Eve in Times Square (Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment) unveiled the new LED Crystal Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball at a press conference at Hudson Scenic Studio in Yonkers, New York. 2008 year marks the 100th birthday of the New Year’s Eve Ball, a universal symbol of celebration and renewal.

Auld Lang Syne - Traditional

The world holds its breath...and cheers as the clocks strike twelve. As the famous New Year's Eve Ball descends from the flagpole atop One Times Square, an estimated one million people in Times Square, millions nationwide and over a billion watching throughout the world are united in bidding a collective farewell to the departing year, and expressing our joy and hope for the year ahead.

WATERFORD CRYSTAL created an exclusive “Let There Be Light” design for the crystal triangles on the new Ball. Designed and crafted by Waterford artisans in Ireland, “Let There Be Light” features a dramatically stylized, radiating sunburst on each of the 672 crystal triangles. Due to the new design and technical innovations, this represents an increase of 168 crystal triangles from last year’s Ball. And, for the first time, the crystal triangles will feature cutting on both sides. The double cutting maximizes the light refraction within the crystal triangles.

The new Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball is more than twice as bright as the old one, with enhanced color capabilities and state-of-the-art LED lighting effects. Waterford Crystal crafted a beautiful new design for the crystal triangles on the Ball. Philips Lighting provided new solid state lighting technology that substantially increased the brightness, energy efficiency, and color capabilities of the Ball. And Focus Lighting developed a spectacular and unique lighting design for the new Ball on its 100th birthday.

Times Square at 12:00 AM January 1





We will open the book.
Its pages are blank.
We are going to put words on them ourselves.
The book is called "Opportunity" and its first
chapter is New Year's Day. ~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce



History of New Year's Eve In Times Square
About The New Year's Eve Ball
Countdown To 2008 - In Video


Happy New Year 2008!

The Best Is Yet to Come
I've Got The World on a String
That's Life

Click on titles for music

03-27-07 ~ Hall of Fame #19 ~ Final

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-24,25-07...Merry Christmas 2007 12-26,27-07...Warm Fuzzy Wednesday & Thursday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[Aquamarine]

God Bless Our Military

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Dutchess; Aquamarine; The Mayor; DollyCali; GodBlessUSA and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation's leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~

We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in their hour of decision. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.

Please give us the strength, Lord, to get through each difficult day that faces each of us and our country. Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey.........................cousin mystery-ak...........son, husband Inspectorette.......................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave........niece, nephew Diver Dave....................cousin ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews W.W.Smith.......................son sneakers..........................son weldgophardline.................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater.......cousin WaterDragon............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law kimmie7......................brother LadyX (RIP)..............grandson fawn796......................nephew ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady....................nephew Spruce......................daughter Leofl.................................son chena...............................son Hope and Glory..................son TheMayor...............friends'son Doug from Upland.......soninlaw homeschoolmama........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin 911angelady.................2 sons Consort.................2 daughters Consort...................son-in-law gonzo...................friend's son Jen's Mom.................daughter Meg33......................grandson cookcounty......................son JFC............................nephew visualops......................cousin auboy..........................cousin painter........................nephew Himyar.............................son jrushing.............................son LoneRedRanger...brother-in-law Ladysmith.nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend varina davis...............grandson weeder1.....................nephew MontanaCowgirlCop......brother nelibeli........................nephew fatima...............granddaughter Misty4jc.....................husband Colorado Slim..............nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews meanie monster ....family friend ProudAFDad......................son JulieRNR21.....friend's grandson Alouette.............................son Katydidnt...........................son Zechariah_8_13....brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.............cousin PreviouslyA-Lurker........brother sheeza.......................husband kemathen7..................husband monkeyface...........2 grandsons redhead................grandnephew Q6-God..................twin brother Q6-God....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne..........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut...................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish........................active duty ODC-GIRL................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968................active duty NoLongerFreeState...active duty CMS........................active duty AlaskaErik...............active duty JemiansTerror...........active duty tongue-tied ..............active duty txradioguy................active duty Hoosiersailor ...........active duty DCBryan1................active duty Col. Mike.................active duty

OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son Armymarinemom................3 sons american_ranger.....................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin boxerblues........................2 sons the piper..............................son Tiffee4Bob......................boyfriend TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son SilentServiceCPOWife........husband DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy........2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew freema.......................nephew, son Azbushgal..............................son kimmykay.................................son NavySEAL F-16........................son repubmom.............................2 sons wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508..............................son pmmd81..................................son SoldiersPrayingMom.................son WakeUpandVote..................brother Skyraider.................................son CyberAnt...........................nephew mrs tiggywinkle...................cousin Nadine...............................nephew U S Army EOD.................daughter thehumanlynx...........brother-in-law Earthdweller......................nephew ChairmanDec19thSociety ..brotherinlaw Anthem............................2 cousins PragmaticWarrior..........2 nephews Sageb1...........................3 cousins SuzyQue...mom,2 sons,3 brothers IndyPendance..daughter,soninlaw Lori from Long Island....soninlaw gonzo............................soninlaw Rivendell.......................daughter vigilante2.....son, adopted soldier NavySEAL F-16....................son Jaxter...........................son-in-law USMCWife6869..............husband AgThorn & Lily4Jesus.............son 2ndDivisionVet..........brotherinlaw 2ndDivVet.....former stepdaughter GrandEagle........................friend DebWisconsin.................nephew jackv....................................son prophetic.................brotherinlaw GulfWar1Vet.................2 cousins Tina Kirby...........................son Kudsman.......................nephew JarhedAirmanPatriot......brother TADSLOS............................son Athelass........2 sons, 2 nephews ItsForTheChildren......2 nephews dwhole2th.............................son skimask...............................son VARepublican.......................son Katydidnt..............................son oneolcop...............................son Edgewood Pilot...son, 2 nephews Trooprally.............................son 007girl.............................nephew arbee4bush ...................daughter PERKY2004...................husband marsh2............................nephew

[Aquamarine]

But, just eat less. Enjoy!

Like I could stop myself, lol

[ConorMacNessa]

thanks, jaycee - hope you have a great New Year as well!

[jaycee]

Hi G.B., I agree...too much crowd in N.Y. city for me although they truly have a ball. I enjoy watching those people on t.v. just as much. Like you say, in my younger days I may have endured! Thanks for the musical links Aqua said you furnished!

[jaycee]

Beachie, I see no pounds.......looks great to me!!! LOL~

[jaycee]

Thank you, Mr. Mayor for today’s lesson and reading in Matthew. We appreciate you!!

[jaycee]

Thanks, lonestar and Weinie!!

[Billie]

Ohhhhhhhhh, this is your most beautiful opening post since your last most beautiful one, Aqua! You have certainly mastered PE! It is gorgeous - now I'll have to go find my evening wear so I can fit in and enjoy this Finest New Year's party! Today of course it must be a red dress - tomorrow's another day, another color. :)

[Aquamarine]

Wow, what a dazzling post!

Thanks for the nice comments but my best work is when you and your creativity were involved.

Today of course it must be a red dress - tomorrow's another day, another color. :)

Sounds like a good plan, think I still have enough dolls to pull that off. :)

[Billie]

This is beautiful, GeeBee! I love all these festivities! WhooHooooo!!!

[Billie]

That’s beautiful, Meg, and most fitting for an “Aqua” thread!

[La Enchiladita]

I'll drink to that...:) What a lovely post, (((GeeBee))).

Looking forward to 2008 and Republican victory as well. Our weather is trending quite cold, so will plan to view the Rose Parade via TV rather than.... brrrr....in person. From the parade two years ago:

[Kitty Mittens]

Thank you for the Lovely Thread, GeeBee! Today Gives me the Opportunity to Dress Up in the Beautiful Gown you Gave me, Billie! (Although I'll have to Instantly Revert Back to my Dowdiness, Lol, Like Cinderella, so I can Do my Afternoon Housework!) : )

Loving and Earnest Prayers Always for our Troops. I Hope Everyone's Day is a Wonderful One!

[La Enchiladita]

Hi, (((Kitty))), you look (and are) so sweet as always...:)

I confess, I do not like to dress up, even for New Year’s. If I absolutely MUST dress up for an occasion, can’t wait to get home and change. LOL.

Yep, I’m the original party-pooper.

[MEG33]

Happy TGIF To The Finest
I had no cable connection earlier..I cannot access photobucket
or tiny pic..I can have snow falling from blue skies! My snow
background is an imageshack link . LOL

[La Enchiladita]

Hi, (((GlamourDoll)))...:) Thanks for the festive thread.

Fast away the old year passes... Fa la la la la, La la la la...:)

[GodBlessUSA]

You look terrific in red (((Kitty Mittens)))
Aqua’s thread is so lovely isn’t it. I wish I could take credit. ;) Are you all set for your New Year? It’s a very nice day here. Warm for this time of year. Just got back from a very nice long walk with the dog. Happy New Year!!

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Afternoon Billie :)
Thanks!
We all look great in red. I like my jewelry too ;)

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi (((Dita))) :)
Thanks! Great post! I look forward to the Rose Parade too. I hope I don’t miss it this year. I always forget these things till they are over. ;) We have a very nice day here today!

[MEG33]

Thank you..I no long see a frame on mine..I wish I could see yours!