Last night, John did a comedy show in Times Square. The day before New Year's Eve and the area was already a complete zoo. It took us longer to get from the subway to the theater than from our apartment to Times Square.
Thousands of tourists were wandering around, staring at the giant crystal ball, or rather, where the giant crystal ball was going to be placed on top of the lovely Toshiba sign. Although right now the only thing that was dropping was people's resistance to buying those awful plastic hats and other accoutrements which are required for New Year's Eve.
I have actually never taken part in this New York City tradition. At one time I thought it would be a cool idea but as I get older, the idea of being trapped in a space with no bathrooms surrounded by thousands of people has pretty much lost its appeal.
Bathrooms and crowds aside, I was curious to learn just how eco-friendly this ball drop would be.
The Waterford Crystal Ball which weighs in at over 11,000 pounds, is illuminated with over 32,000 Philips LED lights. That was encouraging.
I also found out that Duracell will be illuminating the "2011" numerals with human power for the third year in a row! How is this done you ask? Last year, my good friend Audrey, her daughter Mackenzie and me rode stationary bikes that were set up in Duracell's Power Lab in Times Square. Each push of the pedal captures our energy and converts it into power.
So far, so good! But then . . .
Thanks to Carnival Cruise, there is a big wishing wall in Times Square where thousands of visitors can leave their hopes and dreams for 2011.
On an official piece of 2011 confetti.
And at the stroke of midnight, one TON of these wishes will be dropped on Times Square.
I'm sorry...I just have to catch my breath for a second.
ONE TON?!
That's one ton of paper falling to slushy, post-blizzard streets, clearly unable to be recycled. That's 24 trees that will no longer get to have their branches blow in the wind. All to say Happy New Year! (More like Crappy New Year)
I boycotted the wishing wall and vowed to make my wish on the crystal ball as it hits the "2011" numerals. Eco-friendly and magical.
I leave you with this...
Tonight at midnight
Anticipate with delight!
Forgo the confetti
And have your wish ready
For 2011
Will bring nothing but heaven!
2 comments:
I'm with you...the bathroom situation alone would prevent me from wanting to be there -- before the mass humanity and TON (literally) of confetti.
Happy New Year, TGTB&TU! Looking forward to more great posts in 2011!
Thank you!! Right back atcha!! Though you know one of these days we will have to do the ball in Times Square just for the stories you know it would produce!
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