Happy New Year, WA! Let's Rock In 2024!

byFrankB-1

6.6K followers

Updated 1 year ago

(Image made with DALL-E3)

Hi, WA Friends!

So it's getting close (in the USA) to the big night when the clock strikes twelve and the "ball drops," leaving the old year behind and bringing in 2024!

A Little History Of The Times Square Ball

People started celebrating New Year's Eve in Times Square (New York) as early as 1904. However, it was not until 1907 that the New Year's Eve Ball descended from the flagpole atop One Times Square. Over the years, seven versions of the Ball have been designed to signal the start of the New Year.

Fun Facts About The Ball

Taken from the Times Square Official Website:
The Ball is a geodesic sphere, 12 feet in diameter, and weighs 11,875 pounds.

• The Ball is covered with a total of 2,688 crystal triangles that vary in size, and range in length from 4 ¾ inches to 5 ¾ inches per side.
• Each crystal triangle has a special sparkling pattern. 192 crystal triangles are the Gift of Love design of overlapping hearts entwined together symbolizing love for family and friends.
• The 2,688 crystal triangles are bolted to 672 LED modules which are attached to the aluminum frame of the Ball.
• The Ball is illuminated by 32,256 LEDs (light emitting diodes). Each LED module contains 48 LEDs — 12 red, 12 blue, 12 green, and 12 white for a total of 8,064 of each color.
• The Ball is capable of displaying a palette of more than 16 million vibrant colors and billions of patterns that creates a spectacular kaleidoscope effect atop One Times Square.

Our Typical New Year's Eve & Day

Our family has always been big on New Year's Eve celebrations. My earliest childhood is full of fond memories of this holiday. Both sides of my family were and still are big partiers. It the environment I was raised in, which helped make me who I am today. Lol

These days, New Year's Eve begins at about 6 PM and goes for as long as people can stay awake, which is earlier and earlier in my case, but at least until 2 or 3 AM, Lol. Family and friends nap on any available couch and chair. We eat and drink champagne throughout the night with music, dancing, and movies.

In my old high school days, my band would play until the sun came up, and everyone had breakfast before going home. The police were sure to respond to someone's noise complaint, and my mother fed them, too. Haha

Don't worry; I still get my share of guitar playing in throughout the long New Year weekend! 😎

This year, we have three new movies to watch on Ultra High-Def (4K):

• Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
• Expend4bles (2023)
• Oppenheimer

When we finally get some sleep and cleaned up, it's time to celebrate again with our traditional New Year's Day open house. It's a great opportunity to get together with people we haven't seen in a while to eat more treats like pate and caviar, drink champagne (again!), and catch up on what's new.

My Busy New Year Schedule

My 2024 calendar is booked every day through January 12th with more get-togethers with friends and professional colleagues as the fun continues, signaling that bringing in the new year is no small feat! Lol 😃

I'm so lucky to have some of the best friends imaginable! 🙏

New Year's Eve Albums That Add Fun To Any Party

Here's a list of ten music albums that are perfect for New Year's Eve (courtesy of ChatGPT):

1. "A Night at the Opera" by Queen:
2. • Why: This album's eclectic mix of styles, from rock anthems like "Bohemian Rhapsody" to more tender songs, makes it perfect for the range of emotions on New Year's Eve.
3. "Random Access Memories" by Daft Punk:
4. • Why: Its blend of electronic, disco, and funk sounds provides a modern, upbeat vibe that's ideal for a celebratory and dance-filled New Year's Eve.
5. "Purple Rain" by Prince:
6. • Why: This iconic album is known for its mix of rock, R&B, and pop, along with Prince's charismatic performance style, making it a lively and engaging choice.
7. "Abbey Road" by The Beatles:
8. • Why: Its timeless songs offer a mix of introspection and celebration, suitable for reflecting on the past year and welcoming the new one.
9. "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" by David Bowie:
10. • Why: Bowie's glam rock masterpiece provides an otherworldly and energetic soundtrack, perfect for an adventurous New Year's Eve.
11. "Rumours" by Fleetwood Mac:
12. • Why: Its combination of emotional depth and catchy tunes makes it great for both intimate gatherings and more lively celebrations.
13. "Thriller" by Michael Jackson:
14. • Why: This best-selling album is filled with energetic hits that are sure to get everyone dancing, making it a no-brainer for a fun New Year's Eve party.
15. "1989" by Taylor Swift:
16. • Why: With its blend of synth-pop and heartfelt lyrics, this album suits both the festive and reflective aspects of New Year's Eve.
17. "Discovery" by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO):
18. • Why: ELO's mix of pop, rock, and disco creates an upbeat, feel-good atmosphere that's perfect for celebrating.
19. "Born in the U.S.A." by Bruce Springsteen:
20. • Why: This album's blend of rock anthems and storytelling creates a sense of communal celebration and resilience, fitting for ringing in the new year.

Each of these albums offers something unique, whether it's the energy to keep the party going or the emotional depth to reflect on the year gone by, making them great choices for New Year's Eve listening.

New Year's Eve Movies You Can Watch At Home

Here's a list of ten action-adventure movies that would make for an exciting New Year's Eve watch (also courtesy of ChatGPT):

1. "Die Hard":
2. • Why: Often debated as a Christmas movie, its thrilling action and Bruce Willis's iconic performance make it a fun and high-energy film for any festive occasion.
3. "Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark":
4. • Why: This classic adventure, with its mix of archaeology, danger, and wit, is perfect for an entertaining and adventurous New Year's Eve.
5. "Mad Max: Fury Road":
6. • Why: Its intense action sequences and post-apocalyptic setting provide a high-octane viewing experience to ramp up the excitement of the evening.
7. "The Avengers":
8. • Why: This superhero ensemble movie, with its impressive action and special effects, is a great choice for a group looking for familiar characters and epic battles.
9. "Casino Royale":
10. • Why: James Bond's high-stakes action and suave charm in this film offer a thrilling and stylish way to spend the evening.
11. "Black Panther":
12. • Why: Its unique blend of superhero action, cultural significance, and stunning visuals make it a powerful and engaging film for the night.
13. "Guardians of the Galaxy":
14. • Why: This movie’s blend of humor, adventure, and a killer soundtrack provides a fun and light-hearted action experience.
15. "The Dark Knight":
16. • Why: With its gripping narrative and intense action, it's a compelling watch, perfect for those seeking a more serious action film.
17. "Jurassic Park":
18. • Why: The blend of adventure, suspense, and groundbreaking effects in this Spielberg classic is great for an edge-of-your-seat experience.
19. "Mission: Impossible – Fallout":
20. • Why: Known for its breathtaking stunts and fast-paced plot, this movie adds an adrenaline rush to your New Year's Eve festivities.

These action-adventure movies provide a mix of excitement, suspense, and entertainment, ideal for keeping the energy high as you count down to the new year (courtesy of ChatGPT):

What Are You Doing To Celebrate New Year's Eve?

Tell me about your plans for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. It doesn't have to be anything extravagant. I've given you some ideas in this post, so there's no excuse not to treat yourself!

It can be as simple as calling a family member or friend to catch up, wishing them good times ahead, and offering to assist them with an upcoming problem to help lighten the upcoming months.

We've all worked hard this year, especially after Google's Helpful Content Update, so you deserve to reward yourself this weekend in whatever way you see fit!

Wishing Everyone at WA a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!

(Dall-E3 again, excuse the misspelling, it's a holiday! Lol)

Let's Rock 2024! 🤘⚡️🥂🍾🥳🍾🥂⚡️🤘
Frank 🎸

~60% human-written content.