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By 6pm the sun had long set over the square, now illuminated by shrouds of billboards flickering reds and greens and blues selling everything from noodles to cars. A section of the crowd would cheer loudly whenever a nearby television camera swings into view; parents and kids and girlfriends and lovers waving frantically, hoping to make the evening news.

5. A media event, first and foremost

Occasionally a singer, actor, athlete, comedian or public servant would climb onto one of the stages, high up in the air to face the cameras, completely hidden from the crowd except for the brief glimpses of recognition. It's Lindsey Lohan, someone would say, then no, I think it's Duran Duran; or maybe that was Regis Philbin who passed by? Oh that's right Colin Powell is up there. Is he? Can't see!

6. Anticipation: the countdown begins

After eight hours bunched up in the crowd, the anticipation runs high. T-minus one hour, and it goes by surprisingly fast. Everyoned laughed and danced, a million pairs of eyes fixed at the digital clock. That impossibly small ball suspended atop One Times Square became an afterthought. As the clock wound down to its last 10 seconds, the crowd went absolutely crazy, screaming in unison... Five, four, three, two...

7. Times Square: 2005

The noise level went off chart as fireworks graced the night sky. Confetti weaved in the air like snowflakes, the trumpets, the noisemakers, the clapping, the sounds of a million people saying "Happy New Years!" to each other, laughing, giggling, an experience I can't describe.

8. Confetticam: zero visibility

For some the stroke of midnight was the climax, scores made a quick exit down the sidestreets hoping to escape the inevitable traffic jam. Others lingered, chatting endlessly about nothing, took another sip of their rum & cokes, lit up cigars, make a toast, embraced, held hands, gazed into a loved one's eyes. That beautiful latin girl who sat next suddenly turned around and kissed me. "Happy New Years," she whispered, smiling, before disappearing into the night. I love New York!

9. Party time!!