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Happy New Year! NYC

I'm not sure why, but this seemed appropriate as a first post for this new year: looking into the future, taking a photograph. I actually shot this on Halloween, hence the woman's outfit. This evening's photos won't be developed for a few days.

I spent most of the evening at home, working on a last minute job for a friend. I had had a late lunch with a friend, and once I got home I thought I wouldn't leave. Then at 10:45 I had an itch to leave the apartment. I put on my coat and started walking. A friend had invited me to a party in the Meatpacking district and I soon found myself at the front door. I gave my name and went in. A man dressed in a 20s outfit sat in a chair with shoeshine paraphenalia spread around him. I asked if he was actually shining shoes. No, a woman told me. He's paid to just sit and look cute.

The house was packed. "Groove is in the heart" played over the loudspeakers. I made my way to the bar and waited for a drink. The bartenders were overwhelmed. The song switched to George Michael's "Freedom 90" and a woman next to me told me to look around. All the women were singing along.

The woman on the opposite side of me asked me what I was drinking. I told her all I wanted was a glass of champagne. We joined forces to flag down a bartender. She bought a bottle and poured me a glass. We clinked glasses and wished each other a happy new year. I thanked her for the champagne and then made room at the bar for her companion. I wound my way through the room looking for my friend. Auld lang syne began to play, and then someone started a countdown. Soon the room was filled with voices raised in unison. The new year arrived and people made noise and toasted each other, their glasses raised. Balloons clung to the ceiling, as if keeping it aloft.

I couldn't find my friend in the crowd. I finished my champagne and picked up my coat, wishing people a happy new year as I went. Outside, a light rain continued. Cabs poured through the streets as revelers huddled under awnings, smoking cigarettes. I walked west, towards the river, until I reached the pedestrian promenade. It was quiet along the banks. Party boats plied the waters, travelling clockwise around the island. I passed a woman walking north, and then a pair of couples racing each other on piggyback. Their cries cut through the silence.

At pier 16, I walked out over the water until I reached the end to search for the Statue of Liberty; it could not be found. I watched the lights on the opposite shore reflected in the water and the lights from the boats that made their way silently past me reflected in the water and then I turned to walk back towards Manhattan. A gate had been drawn across the entrance to the park. I jumped it and crossed the West Side Highway back to the city.

A wayward balloon floated across my path and I jumped to grab its string before it could float away. At home, I let it drift until it touched the ceiling. I lifted the cover off my turntable and put a record on. Michael Jackson welcomed me into the new year.

"Looking out across the night-time
The city winks a sleepless eye . . . "

Happy New Year everyone. All the best in 2010.

010110.