It's New Year's Eve

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 04:56:03 PM EST
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Are you going out or staying in tonight?

I'm doing both, out to an early party then back home in plenty of time to watch the ball bounce.

From all of us at TalkLeft, we wish you a Merry New Year's Eve, and if you are online, thanks for spending some of it with us. This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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It's New Year's Eve | 61 comments (61 topical)

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Happy New Year to all at TL (5.00 / 7) (#1)
by Saul on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 05:00:48 PM EST

Ditto to All... (5.00 / 7) (#2)
by desertswine on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 05:10:41 PM EST

Parent

Ditto the Ditto! :) (5.00 / 6) (#6)
by nycstray on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 05:28:20 PM EST

Parent

: moi aussi! (5.00 / 5) (#28)
by jedimom on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:46:22 PM EST

ditto cubed!!!!

Parent

Have not watched that ball bounce (5.00 / 5) (#3)
by jes on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 05:16:13 PM EST

in many years, but can't resist tonight - too bad midnight doesn't come at 3AM! Thanks for all the memories J, BTD, T-Chris and all the denizens of TL.

Happy New Year's all! (5.00 / 6) (#4)
by andgarden on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 05:20:24 PM EST

I'm working on plans, but probably nothing. And with these temps, I'm not sorry.

Just got in (5.00 / 7) (#5)
by nycstray on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 05:27:28 PM EST

from a quickie dog walk. That's the extent of my "going out" until later when we repeat ;) Nice thing about the cold is I won't have as many celebrators bouncing up and down the streets later.

Stay bundled up of you go out! Enjoy either way :)

Parent

Jeez, it is 10 here (5.00 / 2) (#44)
by BarnBabe on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 08:20:50 PM EST

And not a nice 10. Very Windy. I had places to go but home next to the fire seems to be where I want to be. Hillary and Bill are dropping the ball this year. That will be cool!

Parent

I will be watching this (5.00 / 2) (#45)
by lilburro on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 08:21:53 PM EST

through the eyes of Kathy Griffin as she cohosts the CNN NYE program. I wonder what she will have to say... :D

Parent

Anderson Cooper (none / 0) (#52)
by lilburro on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 09:47:16 PM EST

looks COLD.

Parent

: They all looked cold! (none / 0) (#55)
by nycstray on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 11:15:19 PM EST

I did some channel surfing, and boy, were there a lot of cold "hosts'!
Just hearing the wind against my windows makes me shiver. I've got my body warmer on the couch with me ;)

Parent

Happy New Year (5.00 / 6) (#7)
by squeaky on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 05:32:20 PM EST

Welcome the new face of America. Can't wait til the thugs are out of office. The world will breath a little easier and we have a long road repair project ahead of us.

I am staying in and will miss the ball drop for the umpteenth time in a row due to my teeveelessness. Never did much for me anyway.. teevee or the ball drop.

NPR reporter was in Times Sq. (5.00 / 4) (#18)
by oculus on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:19:32 PM EST

for a daylight test run re the new ball, which is LED. Reporter sd. couldn't look directly at it even in the daytime.

Parent

Too Bright? (5.00 / 2) (#26)
by squeaky on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:37:44 PM EST

I bet it is a test run of a DARPA project. Brainwashing of some sort I imagine.... Good thing they are testing it out on tourists..

But wait, all those people watching it on teevee... oy.. tomorrow brave new world..

Parent

That's a LOT of LEDs (5.00 / 1) (#43)
by Fabian on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 08:15:05 PM EST

If they were all one watt, the sum would be pretty bright.

Love the new LED billboards. Instead of one billboard, one client, one advertisement - you can sell the equivalent of time shares on one billboard, plus scale the rates depending on the time slot.

I'm just enamored of the LED technology in general.

Parent

I tried taking a timed photo of three (5.00 / 1) (#56)
by oculus on Thu Jan 01, 2009 at 12:30:37 AM EST

of us standing next to my friend's LED lighted indoor tree. Photo of tree is stunning--us--not so much.

Parent

Interesting problems with LEDs here (none / 0) (#47)
by Cream City on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 08:28:01 PM EST

surfaced in recent years in our city's Christmas display, in a cold and wintry clime, and in other lighting uses, too (streetlights, I think I read -- so a far more serious and dangerous concern).

Because LEDs don't get hot, they don't melt snow and ice -- which means the cost and environmental savings are more than exceeded by the costs of workers and equipment, with the driving around and the hours spent in brushing and scraping off snow and ice. And complaints that the workers are needed to plow streets, fill in potholes (awful whenever we have the freeze-thaw-freeze clime), etc.

So LEDs may not be suited to colder climes. Plus, we'll take all the heat we can get from anything!

Parent

: I've not seen (5.00 / 1) (#49)
by Fabian on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 08:46:08 PM EST

LEDs used in a lot of outdoor displays. Cost considerations probably. They are getting cheaper, but still are pricier than the incandescents. OTOH - if the wiring is good quality, you'll never spend hours and hours just checking the strands and bulbs every year. Our zoo does a holiday display and one year they listed how many hours it took to check every set. It was shocking.
The solar powered outdoor lights are neat, but since you are buying the light fixture, solar panel and batteries all in one go - the price really adds up. Still haven't indulged myself and bought one.

Parent

Peaceful New Year to All (5.00 / 6) (#8)
by CDN Ctzn on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 05:34:46 PM EST

Happy New year!! (5.00 / 7) (#9)
by befuddledvoter on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 05:45:20 PM EST

Too cold in Boston for First Night; snow storm finally settled down. Home and glad to be tonight.

Hope this link works:

http://tinyurl.com/776vdw

Doing Nothing (5.00 / 5) (#10)
by SOS on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 05:48:37 PM EST

Call it passive resistance or passive protest.

Happy New Year Everyone! (5.00 / 7) (#11)
by Militarytracy on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 05:56:17 PM EST

We are living on appetizers that Mr. MT and I have decided to make together. With Joshua, the three of us will ring it in. We have a great bottle of champagne from Spain and Mr MT and I are dedicating this coming year to us. No deployments, a new president and secretary of state and all the trimmings......so this year we are going to be exploring in love again. No more surviving BAD situations one right after the other. Good Bye 2008.....and like Dubya and friends.......ummmm, don't let the door blah blah blah

OMG. Not only is Mr. MT (5.00 / 3) (#19)
by oculus on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:20:47 PM EST

an HRC fan, he also cooks!

Parent

: Apparently. Mr. MT (5.00 / 4) (#40)
by caseyOR on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 07:26:15 PM EST

is also a romantic. Sending good thoughts your way, MT. Here's hoping Mr.MT never has to deploy to foreign lands again.
Happy New Year to all at TL. I am so glad 2008 is ending. And I am hoping against hope that, no matter how hard things get in 2009, we are all able to pull together and get through it.

Parent

Best to you and your family (5.00 / 3) (#54)
by talesoftwokitties on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 10:27:00 PM EST

I appreciate your service to our country. Thank you.

Parent

The prevailing view (5.00 / 1) (#12)
by SOS on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:03:22 PM EST

assumes 2009 will bring an orderly transition through the current "rough patch" into a vibrant re-energized era of "green" Happy Motoring and resumed Blue Light Special shopping.

Where is this prevailing view? (5.00 / 2) (#13)
by Militarytracy on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:04:34 PM EST

Parent

Everywhere (5.00 / 1) (#14)
by SOS on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:08:35 PM EST

except between the lines.

LOL/LOT

Parent

You mean people you know? (5.00 / 6) (#16)
by Militarytracy on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:17:30 PM EST

I think a healthy life is lived as much in the present as possible. I think this coming year is going to be tough for many people, probably tougher than they anticipate but I can't knock them for living in this moment and they will need their celebrations in order to survive the trials. After surviving Iraq deployments as a military spouse and family, and all the hell that Iraq has been for our friends and their broken families.....you'd probably have to nuke my house in order for me to feel any worse than what I've already survived.

Parent

: I'm with you (5.00 / 2) (#22)
by SOS on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:25:00 PM EST

Enjoy life, keep ones integrity intact. Do good things even if know one cares.
The basics

Parent

What ya think? (5.00 / 1) (#15)
by SOS on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:17:26 PM EST

http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/P1-AO116_RUSPRO_NS_20081228191715.gif

I'm going to be part of Mexico (5.00 / 1) (#17)
by Militarytracy on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:18:47 PM EST

Hey, at least I'll like the food :)

Parent

There ya go (5.00 / 1) (#20)
by SOS on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:22:16 PM EST

now your making me hungry. Love Mexican food.

Parent

I'll be hungry two hours (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by oculus on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:22:24 PM EST

after dinner, or something.

Parent

I need to run down to the (5.00 / 1) (#23)
by SOS on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:26:27 PM EST

Cheesecake Factory. Got a gift certificate sitting here in law sent me.

Parent

Oh, nice idea for a gift. Enjoy. (5.00 / 1) (#24)
by oculus on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:28:18 PM EST

Parent

I will (5.00 / 1) (#30)
by SOS on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:48:35 PM EST

All by myself!

LOL. Keep your hands off my cheesecake.

Parent

: Ha. My hostess tonight made (none / 0) (#57)
by oculus on Thu Jan 01, 2009 at 12:33:03 AM EST

polenta for the first time. Delicious. Also had gingerbread cookie chocolates, about the size of chocolate covered raisins but lots more tasty and tangy.

Parent

haha (5.00 / 3) (#25)
by lilburro on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:31:39 PM EST

something tells me SC is not going to joining the European Union...

Parent

Map by a Russian idiot (none / 0) (#27)
by andgarden on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:44:20 PM EST

Parent

: I also wish the EU (5.00 / 2) (#39)
by lilburro on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 07:13:45 PM EST

the best of luck in dealing with Mitch McConnell.

Parent

i don't know why he didn't (5.00 / 2) (#50)
by ruffian on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 09:26:04 PM EST

give Florida to Cuba. Really missed his chance there. No sense of history at all.

Parent

Happy New Year!! (5.00 / 3) (#29)
by jedimom on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:48:07 PM EST

time for the Ritual Time Warp at our house, lol!

: oops (5.00 / 2) (#31)
by jedimom on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:49:07 PM EST

ST time warp

Parent

Happy New Year to all (5.00 / 6) (#32)
by Democratic Cat on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:50:42 PM EST

Going out to dinner and then an early night for me. Maybe a glass of champagne.

Time Warner Cable and Viacom are fighting (5.00 / 4) (#33)
by andgarden on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:56:00 PM EST

It's over a price increase, of course.

What's really interesting is that apparently, Viacom is threatening to block TWC/Roadrunner cable internet subscribers from viewing their video content online if a deal doesn't go through in the next few hours.

I haven't watched in a while, but I'm going to be pretty pissy if I lose access to daily show video.

Yeah, me too if I miss Stephen Colbert (5.00 / 4) (#35)
by ruffian on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:59:01 PM EST

Only thing keeping me sane some weeks. Well, besides you guys!!

Parent

I still (5.00 / 1) (#51)
by Fabian on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 09:31:01 PM EST

haven't decided if I'm going digital or not.

This kind of thing makes me like the "not" option. It'd be cheaper to hook up with Netflix or play board games with my kids. Or look up music videos on youtube.

Parent

: Going digital and the expense of it? (5.00 / 1) (#60)
by andrys on Thu Jan 01, 2009 at 06:19:20 AM EST

Those with cable tv or satellite tv access won't have to do anything, but since I was not allowed to put a cable wire through the wall to my kitchen, I've had an old analog tv there and would need to get a converter box or get a new small digital-tuner tv for the kitchen.
See PBS Digital Tv for a good page on what's involved for the February conversion to digital-only broadcasting.
What I wound up with turned out great. It's a 15.6" Toshiba HD (high definition) wide-screen TV with a built in dvd player and a built-in digital tuner.
For $270. What I found I like, though I did not plan to watch TV in the kitchen much, is that with the high resolution and the lack of DOTS that I can see, the picture is sort of amazing.
BUT digital tv means you have to get some kind of antenna for it, so I got a Radio Shack $20 one for HDTV/UHF,VHF and it brings in 24 digital channels (I don't watch the analog ones it brings in so I don't count them) and 6 of these are high-definition channels. I am an average 14 miles away from the tv towers. So I use an unamplified antenna, indoors.
But if people live further away, then an amplified one would be better. Again, those with Cable or Satellite TV don't need any of this, though this little TV works with cable and satellite of course.
On my photo site, I made a photo gallery to show what it looks like, with TV shows and with commercial DVDs and home-recorded DVD-Rs.
Downsides: it's not mountable and the switching of channels is slow (2-4 seconds) though you can randomly choose a channel or use 'last' between two quickly enough.
Not so great for channel browsers though.
And antennas that also use rabbit ears as mine does are pretty ugly. But I have it set to face one direction, and for my house that works well. It won't for everyone.

Parent

Radio news says TW and Viacom (none / 0) (#58)
by oculus on Thu Jan 01, 2009 at 12:34:24 AM EST

reached an agreement.

Parent

: Yup, channels still on (none / 0) (#59)
by andgarden on Thu Jan 01, 2009 at 12:59:52 AM EST

Cable companies often play brinksmanship with providers. Charlie Ergen (Dish Network proprietor) is renowned for this.

Parent

Happy New Year everyone! (5.00 / 6) (#34)
by ruffian on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:58:06 PM EST

I'm staying in - I know, you're shocked!

The dog is hiding under the desk because he's afraid of the neighborhood firecrackers. I'll be up past midnight whether I want to or not.

So, are we making TL Commenter Resolutions? I'll start:

-- I will only bash Harry Reid once per day

that's enough - that will be hard enough.

: I will look for the bright spots. (none / 0) (#46)
by Fabian on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 08:27:45 PM EST

Checked out my local (regional really) professional landscaping and green industry (plants and stuff) conference. Topics include "How To Recession Proof Your Business" which is predictable enough.
Also appearing are several presentations on Sustainability. That surprised me. The Green industry has spent a lot of time fighting against rules and regulations on things like limiting herbicide/pesticide use as well as fighting against rules and regs on invasive species. Sometimes the Green industry seems to be anything but Green.
Now it looks like they are trying to embrace ecologically sound principles.
("green" refers to a lot of things. Before environmentalism, the green industry would refer to landscaping and lawn care. Now it refers to anything from "green washing" to energy conservation, alternative energy sources to anything to do with environmentalism.
Ironically, some parts of the green industry are traditionally environmentally unfriendly - lawns and golf courses are great examples.)

Parent

Happy New Year!! (5.00 / 6) (#36)
by jen on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 06:59:48 PM EST

I don't comment much, but love reading here.

Staying home with my old dog and older dad.

Keep the lights shining. We were made for these times.

HNY! talkleft crowd (5.00 / 4) (#37)
by zyx on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 07:02:52 PM EST

Spent the DAY getting a job application together and standing in line at the post office. I don't have a very good chance, but I'll take the slim one.

Spending the early evening, as always, at my mom's--it's obligatory. My husband doesn't like it. But it's over early, just after 9--we watch the ball drop, but we're on the West Coast.

Brrrrr (5.00 / 5) (#38)
by Steve M on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 07:07:27 PM EST

No booze tonight. I hardly drink these days out of empathy for my 7 mos. pregnant wife. So we're just going to have a quiet evening at home if the toddler lets us. Happy New Year!

: Mazel tov, Steve M (5.00 / 4) (#41)
by caseyOR on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 07:30:04 PM EST

I didn't know you had another wee one on the way. How great is that? Sending all good wishes to you and your wife. (and the current little one).

Parent
: How nice! I can't wait to hear your (5.00 / 2) (#42)
by Teresa on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 08:10:48 PM EST

stories about the new one. Give the first one a hug for me.

Parent

six years ago when I joined dKos (5.00 / 1) (#48)
by jes on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 08:36:24 PM EST

I really liked a woman with spunk. TeresaInPa. Seems she is in danger of being homeless. I don't endorse the PUMA politics but I do think all the love on the left should be worth a buck or two.

: thank you (5.00 / 1) (#61)
by TeresaInPa on Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 01:09:16 PM EST

I really appreciate the help. I am holding on and the help of people I only know online has been a great boon to my spirits.

Parent

Happy New Year and Thanks (5.00 / 3) (#53)
by talesoftwokitties on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 10:23:51 PM EST

for a place to come to read intelligent comments and thought provoking posts. Best to all!

It's New Year's Eve | 61 comments (61 topical)

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It's New Year's Eve

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