Well, Shanoah, I don’t know about you and the rest of the Secret Worldwide Discordian Conspiracy, but I celebrated my New Year 11 days ago, on the solstice. Took you slugabeds almost two weeks to catch up.
But you do do your New Year right. Hard to knock a rolling, global, 24-hour party. So, as the clock counts down here in the Other City of Lights, let’s see how you’re celebrating around the world…
In New York…
- Angela Sytko of New Jersey, right, and T.J. Clark New York’s of Brooklyn Borough kiss at the stroke of midnight during New Year’s Eve festivities in Times Square in New York on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. — AP Photo/Peter Morgan
In the Florida Keys…
- In a photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, female impersonator Gary Marion, transformed into ‘Sushi’ hangs above Duval Street and talks to thousands of New Year’s Eve revelers outside the Bourbon Street Pub Complex in Key West, Fla., late Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, awaiting to be lowered at the stroke of midnight to celebrate the dawn of 2009. The Big Red Shoe Drop, with ‘Sushi’ in a huge facsimile of a woman’s high heel, is a whimsical takeoff on New York City’s Times Square ball drop. — AP Photo/Florida Keys News Bureau, Andy Newman
In Seattle…
Silhouetted by the Space Needle, Joe Myxler, left, proposes to Polly Yerkovich at Seattle's Kerry Park on New Year's Eve, Wednesday, Dec., 31, 2008. -- AP Photo/Jim Bryant
In London…
Fireworks are seen over the Millenium Wheel as part of the official New Year's Eve celebrations in London. Revellers braved freezing conditions in London to see the New Year fireworks spectacular on the banks of the River Thames, which engulfed the London Eye in a blaze of colour. -- AFP/Carl de Souza
In Bristol…
The Holmes family and friends from Winchester Road, Brislington, Bristol, bang pots and pans to celebrate the New Year Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009. Some residents in Brislington, South Bristol, still celebrate New Year's eve at the stroke of midnight in the traditional and environmentally friendly way by banging pots and pans. -- AP Photo/PA, Ben Birchall
In Budapest…
Children with a mask blow trumpets as they wait for New Year's Eve festivities to begin in Budapest December 31, 2008. -- REUTERS/Karoly Arvai (HUNGARY)
In Sofia, Bulgaria…
People gather at Sofia's main square to celebrate New Year's Eve, January 1, 2009. -- REUTERS/Oleg Popov (BULGARIA)
In Berlin…
Fireworks illuminate the Quadriga sculpture atop the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin January 1, 2009. Around one million visitors attended the German capital's spectacular New Year's Eve party between the Brandenburg Gate and the Sigessaeule. -- REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (GERMANY)
In Dubai…
Low level clouds float over Dubai's Marina area as the sun sets on Dubai on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2008. Dubai's ruler on Tuesday ordered the cancellation of all New Year celebrations in the Gulf's tourism hub in solidarity with Palestinians facing Israeli military attacks in the Gaza Strip. -- REUTERS/Steve Crisp (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES)
In Sao Paulo…
Brazil's marathon runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima celebrates on the podium following his final participation in the Sao Silvestre men's road race in Sao Paulo, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. The 15-kms race is held annually on New Year's Eve. -- AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini
In Paris…
Homeless people attend New Year's Eve celebrations at the Saint-Merri gymnasium in Paris, five days after more than 100 people who were living in poor housing conditions took shelter there December 31, 2008. -- REUTERS/Benoit Tessier (FRANCE)
In the Vatican…
Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a New Year's Eve vespers service, at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. Pope Benedict XVI is calling for 'sobriety and solidarity' in 2009 as the world struggles with economic and social woes. His appeal was made amid the splendor of St. Peter's Basilica during a New Year's Eve vespers service on Wednesday. Benedict described these times as being 'marked by uncertainty and worry for the future.' -- (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
In Manila…
A fire dancer juggles torches during a New Year's eve countdown at Manila's Makati financial district December 31, 2008. -- REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES)
In Auckland, New Zealand…
The first major city to mark the start of 2009 was Auckland, New Zealand, with a spectacular display of fireworks from its Sky Tower. -- Courtesy of the BBC and Getty Images
In Hong Kong…
In Hong Kong, half a million people gathered around the historic harbour for the new year countdown. -- Courtesy of the BBC and AP
In Bangkok…
In Thailand, performers in traditional dress carried candles during a Buddhist ceremony in the capital, Bangkok. -- Courtesy of the BBC and AP
In Petaling Jaya, Malaysia…
In Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, party-goers danced in front of a laser and water show in the early hours of 2009. -- Courtesy of the BBC and AP
In Tokyo…
In Japan, many went to Tokyo's Zojoji Buddhist temple to offer a prayer at the end of the year. -- Courtesy of the BBC and AP
In Valencia, Spain…
In Valencia, Spain, revellers took part in an unusual new year's tradition - a red underwear race. -- Courtesy of the BBC and AFP
And, finally, back home in Las Vegas…
Leroy and Rosemary Baca of Trinidad, Colo., celebrate as confetti falls after midnight during the New Year's party last year at the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas. Crews will set off fireworks at eight locations tonight on the Strip and downtown. -- Leila Navidi/File Photo, Courtesy of the Las Vegas Sun
Happy New Year everyone. Hope it’s a better one.
(Thanks to Yahoo! News, the BBC and the Las Vegas Review)
