WISH YOU A HAPPY AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!!!!!2010!!!!!!

As
2009 becomes history and 2010 becomes our life for the next year, I
experienced the longest and the biggest new year party of the world ..
up front and close..

Yes, Yes, Yes.. I was in Times Square, New York..when the ball dropped symbolizing the birth of 2010..

To sum it up.. wowwwwwwww.. crazyyyyyyyyyyyy.. .. .tiringgggggggggggg.. freezinggggggggggg.. but funnnnnnnnnnnnnn :-)

Youtube video of Times
Square Ball hoist - 2010 New Year - At 6:00PM 31-Dec-09

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMyn23grBKo

Youtube video of Times Square Ball drop - 2010 New Year - At 11:59PM 31-Dec-09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeJl3McyUF0


The
historic event of passing from one year to another is celebrated in
Times Square, New York "The Crossroads of the World", in the form of
the ball "dropping" signalling passage of time, and has become a global tradition . In Times Square, the
Ball has been dropped every year since 1907, crowds gathering in Times
Square, enjoying music and celebration till finally greeting New Year
with a
minute of silence.

2668 crystals (designed by Waterford
Crystals - a sparkling "Let There Be
Courage" triangle) through a unique interlocking pattern form the Times
Square New Year’s Eve Ball, a 12 foot sphere,
double the previous ones, weighing approx 12000 pounds and finally
powered by approx 32000 Philips LEDS. With a capability of creating a
palette of more than 16
million vibrant colors and billions of patterns, it was to produce a
spectacular
kaleidoscope effect atop One Times Square.


Myself
and Arjun met up in Times Square at 2PM, as we knew crowds would start
pouring in after lunch, and so it did. Anxious waves of people flowed
in, slowly but steadily for the next two hours or so and by 4PM, the
traffic was cut off and NYPD officers, started barricading portions of
the crowd, to ensure every person is screened for security and passed
on to the next section. We ended up right in the middle of Times
Square, a perfect location for watching the ball drop as well as enjoy
the celebrations all around us. The crowd, of all ages, from many
nations and races joined together and started the 8 hour long ordeal of
waiting till midnight.

There were many stages set up for the
news crew who were ready to report the events for the next 6 hours . A
stage for dance/music performances was also set up and it featured
famous singers like JZ, Jennifer Lopez etc., almost through out the
event.

The
event commenced with hoisting of the ball atop the tower on top of One
Times Square at 6PM, amidst fireworks, music and cheering from the
massive crowd.

From 6 PM onwards, every one hour, a count down would happen, replicating the final countdown and fireworks accompanying it.

The
next 6 hours, for me, has been the longest party in my life.. music
filling the streets as the million big crowd waves and dances to the
tunes (also to warm our bodies and to keep our mind away from the cold).

We were subjected to the freezing cold, little bit of rain and sleet showers during our wait. But, the crowd remained, millions of eyes focused on the sparkling Waterford Crystal Times Square New
Year's Eve Ball.

After lots of dancing, finally the moment of truth, at 11:59 p.m., the Ball began descending as millions
of voices united to count down the final seconds of the year, and
celebrate the beginning of a new year filled with hopes, challenges,
and dreams.
We held our breath...as the ball reaches the bottom of the pole at
exactly 12, the 2010 sign lights up along with fireworks and confetti
being showered on us from all the buildings in Times Square. The crowd
goes crazy, cheering wildly, throwing their hats and balloons, wishing,
kissing and hugging the person standing nearby.

Standing there, cheering with the crowd, I felt in one with the whole crowd.

Hope you enjoyed the experience.