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

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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!

[DollyCali]

Very Nice Luv! great post

Happy New year to the Finest!

My outing was great and I do have some pix the quality of which of many is poor but will sort thru & post a few. I decided against the long black slinky dress & went with the short little back type ..

Actually I listened to my mom. I was dressed up & she said Dolly, in a few years you might NOT be able to wear short dresses (implication on ugly legs).. why don’t you put on a short dress.. so I did.. I did have quite a few compliments & at my age & stage that was nice.. It was a black short clingy Talbot’s dress(from my second hand store) and a raw silk jacket with some oriental prints..

I ended up wearing jewelry I had made about 15 years ago. Gold, Onyx, freshwater pearls & British Cloisonnes. I might try to take some pix for you . It is a pretty set (beaded necklace & earrings)

My batteries were shot too early in evening. I couldn’t believe when I saw the low battery light when I first turned on camera. I had a small bag so NOT extras with me so I was a bit stingy in what I took pix of. & I have ntoed with this camera the automatic functions are NOT sharp when batteries are low..

I was a BAD girl & took pix in Severance Hall (A BIG NO NO) but did not use flash & so was not detected.

Back & foot very sore but I did dance a bit

The Cleveland Pop’s concert was really REALLY outstanding. They had in a few “extra” entertainment things..

It is snowing here & we have mixed reports of how much accumulation we will get..

[The Mayor]

January 1, 2008

Resolutions

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | Download

READ: Nehemiah 10:28-31

[They] entered into . . . an oath to walk in God’s Law, . . . and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord. —Nehemiah 10:29

In 1722, Jonathan Edwards drew up a list of 70 resolutions, dedicating himself to live in harmony with God and others. The following resolutions give a picture of the serious purpose with which Edwards approached his relationship with God. He resolved:

• To do whatever is most to God’s glory.

• To do my duty, for the good of mankind in general.

• Never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

• To study the Scriptures steadily, constantly, and frequently.

• To ask myself at the end of every day, week, month, and year if I could possibly have done better.

• Until I die, not to act as if I were my own, but entirely and altogether God’s.

In Nehemiah 10, God’s people made an oath, vowing to follow all the commands, laws, and regulations of the Lord. This oath was so serious that they were willing to accept the curse of God if they failed to keep these commands.

Our resolutions need not be so serious as that. But any resolution to follow God is not a casual promise. Rather, it is a solemn and serious declaration that—with the help of the Holy Spirit—we can renew every day.

My Resolutions This Year Are:
1. _____________________________________
2. _____________________________________
3. _____________________________________

Act on your resolutions!

Bible in One Year:   Genesis 1-3; Matthew 1

[Aquamarine]

It’s good that you listened to your mom this time, she was right. At this stage in life it is best to highlight our best features.
Am interested in seeing the jewelry along with the whole outfit. Glad you had such a nice night and the energy to see it through.

[Aquamarine]

Thanks for the excellent message. Have already made the usual New Year’s resolutions...lose more weight, pay off debt, etc...

[La Enchiladita]

....And many more.....

[The Mayor]

Same here... I got this email this morning...

This is one of the best explanations of why God allows pain and suffering that I have seen...

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed.

As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation.

They talked about so many things and various subjects.

When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said:

“I don’t believe that God exists.”

“Why do you say that?” asked the customer. “Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn’t exist.

Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people?

Would there be abandoned children?

If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain.

I can’t imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things.”

The customer thought for a moment, but didn’t respond because he didn’t want to start an argument.

The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.

Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in t he street with lo n g, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard.

He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber:

“You know what? Barbers do not exist.”

“How can you say that?” asked the surprised barber.

“I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!”

“No!” the customer exclaimed. “Barbers don’t exist because

if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside.”

“Ah, but barbers DO exist! That’s what happens when people do not come to me.”

“Exactly!” affirmed the customer. “That’s the point! God, too, DOES exist!

That’s what happens when people do not go to Him an d don’t look to Him for help.

That’s why there’s so much pain and suffering in the world.”

If you think God exists, send this to other people-—

If you think God does not exist, delete it!

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS !!!!!!!

[GodBlessUSA]

The perfect of all New Year resolutions to follow and stick to!
Thank You :)

[DollyCali]

This is wonderful Rus! I am going to post it on my New Years thread at WA.. Thank you dear friend & I hope you & Jul & kids have a wonderful 2008

[DollyCali]

Haven’t taken the pix of the jewelry yet ...have to recharge the batteries.. AFTER I find the battery charger. Have worked up some pix from last night & will post in a bit

[DollyCali]

A couple that owns a dance studio was with us throughout the night. They gave salsa lessons before the concert. During the concert they did an absolutely wonderful stage performance to Peter Allen's I Go To Rio & afterward they went thru the two ballrooms & danced with people. Of course they were trying for business but they really added sparkle to the evening. Here are a few pix of them during the Salsa time(well I posed them after the lesson) and one of the stage shots

Below me in my "little black dress" w/raw silk jacket

The Severance Stage at beginning of concert

The ballon drop begins in Grand Foyer ballroom at midnight

[GodBlessUSA]

You look terrific Dolly!

Wow, What a large crowd for a party. Decorated so beautiful too! Watching the dancing must have been fantastic!!

Happy New Year!

[ru4liberty]

Happy birthday, Dave! May all your resolutions come to fruition. God bless.

[jaycee]

Now that looked like a real party! I love your little black dress.....showing some leg there, Dolly!

Bet it was beautiful when all the gold and silver balloons dropped! What a big crowd! Bet you had fun~~~~

[jaycee]

Happy Birthday and Happy New Year!!

[GodBlessUSA]

Enjoy your day Diver! :)

[Aquamarine]

Great story Mayor, it makes sense to me. :)

[Aquamarine]

Thanks for the pictures. The dancers are so elegant and you look attractive in your outfit.

Severance stage is gorgeous, looks like you had a very special night.

[The Mayor]

Happy Birthday Diver Dave!

[lonestar]

Never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

I'll say one thing--unless you want angels' wings, NEVER eat anything dropped by a squirrel!

[EsmeraldaA]