It’s the end of another year, calendar year that is. No fireworks and partying for this kid. But just so you know Vegas hasn’t shut down – there are over 300,000 people in town to celebrate the New Year. Friday night at work, one of the dealers – Larry – asked me if I wanted to make an extra $100. I asked what I had to do. “Work for me tomorrow night.” *picking myself up off of the floor laughing* I told him a $1,000 wouldn’t get me to work New Year’s Eve again.

The Strip closed at 5 PM, foot traffic only from somewhere along the Stardust out past Mandalay Bay (I think) until after around 2 AM depending on how the traffic looks. All swing shift employees had to be in the building by 4:30-4:45. So damn glad it ain’t me. Then to make it all better for everyone that’s outside tonight celebrating, a horrendous wind/rain storm hit the Northwest part of town around 5:30ish. Wonder if it just drifted across town and is anywhere near the Strip. The storm was extreme, I’d gone out to the grocery store and it hit while I was inside shopping. UGH! Getting out to the truck with my cart, wind trying to blow my hair off of my head, and drown me at the same time. Wonder if Mother Nature was helping clear 2005 out of the way.

This is my idea of fireworks, courtesy of Hubble:

A few of the original, and greatest friends anyone could have, arrived for the last Pan game of 2005. We had entirely too much food, everyone bringing enough to feed a family of 10, and champagne to toast the New Year – thanks to Wayne and Viv. Viv had to leave about 11:30ish for a date with her hubby – yes she really is married. He goes to bed early but planned to set the alarm and be waiting for her and the New Year to arrive. She looked great, the only one of us that really ‘dressed’ for the New Year. The rest of us were ‘comfy and casual’ in our attire – Wayne came right after work so his dress mode was pretty much just change shirts. We grazed, visited, and played cards.

We cranked the champagne a little early because of Viv’s scheduled departure time. Of course pictures were in order, I took theirs and my own. Viv said, more than once, that someone could take my picture and I didn’t have to do it, I refused to hand over the camera – I look slightly demented…er…ahhh…maybe I am. The end result:

The lovely Carole – longtime pal and friend from back in the Montana days:

Gordon – one of my Montana buds from back in the early 80’s.

Viv – ready for her hot date at midnight:

Wayne – ex hiking buddy (we never have the same time frame any more) and great friend:

And look at this hand:

That’s Pan for you. Eight decks of cards, throw away one set of Spades, no 8’s, 9’s, or 10’s in the deck…five crazies that get together just to graze and share life. Love it!

Happy New Year!