The clock is ticking, and in New York we have about an hour-and-a-half to go.
I don’t think I’ll rush over to Times Square to watch the ball drop. I’ve never done it, despite having lived in New York for longer than I’m willing to admit, and I don’t see any reason to begin tonight.
So how to observe this important annual transition? Marking the turn of the year is such an important ritual in our society, do I dare ignore New Year’s Eve?
I’m having fun reading what other people have to say. So far today we’ve had a splendid column by Frank Bruni advising us to read more and tweet less. A hilarious bit by Peter Funt (The Year That Will Be), with my favorite of his predictions: “Delta Air Lines clarifies that standing room at airport boarding areas ‘will remain free for the foreseeable future,’ but that seats for
passengers waiting to board will now cost $25.” OK. I get it.
- opera
- art nouveau as my personal concept of beauty (one definition: “an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts”)
- elephants in Africa.

