It
was New Year’s Eve and the clock was nearing midnight. Around me, excited party goers were
engrossed in the festivities. A
large group was excitedly playing a board game, laughing louder and louder with
each move. In one corner of the
room, a quartet of people was deep in conversation, largely oblivious to the
others around them. In another
corner, a duo sat, animatedly engaged in their own discussion. I, it seemed, was the only one who
noticed the approaching New Year.
When midnight rolled around, I looked at my watch and
then at the group around me.
Nothing had changed. The
group continued with their game.
The quartet seemed even more intent in their discussion. The duo in the corner did not so much
as pause their conversation.
Because a new year had indeed begun . . .on the east coast. But, the old year still had 3 more
hours, at this party on the west coast.
We had been walking for about forty-five minutes, making our way from Manhattan’s South Street Seaport to the Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street. When we were within fifteen blocks of our destination, some of my companions decided that we should complete our journey by cab. Despite my attempts to convince them to keep walking, they were insistent. The trip that ensued was a true New York experience. After a few minutes of trying, one of my companions was able to hail a cab. However, we wanted to go north. The cab that stopped was going south. It did not seem to matter, though, as my companions still got in the cab. One person sat in the front while I slipped into the backseat, between the other two. Hardly before the doors could close, the driver had fought his way into Manhattan traffic. Without warning, he took a sharp right turn onto a side street and began to head north, steadily increasing his speed. Within seconds, the cab was weaving a
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