Happy 2006

Been busy.  Went to California to see how the other side of the world works during the Christmas.  Couple of things I've noticed:

• Weather is a lot different.  68 degrees?  During Christmas?  What!?
  
• Cali natives thinking 68 degrees is cold and wear fleeces with their shorts and thongs  (what we call Flip-Flops in NYC)
  
• My brother's wife's family had about ~70 gifts under the tree.
  
• Me and my mom in NY?  Man, should be lucky to get 4 if I ever got my lazy ass to get the Christmas tree from the garage and ornaments from the basement!

Then...Went to Las Vegas for New Year's to see how the City of Sin works during New Year's.  More things I've noticed:

• Vegas is crazier than NYC!
  
• No ball is dropped at 12 am but at 9 pm instead.
  
• People still say "Happy New Year!" at 9 pm anyway...
  
• You can still lose a lot of money at nickel slots... AND penny slots...
  
• Never to early to take a baby to Vegas as my bro did (9 months!)
  
• Don't turn off the light after a night of drinking and gambling and run to your bed at a hotel room....there might be a wall that unexpectedly "jumps" out at you!

Here are some pics:

   
                          The crazy crowd.  Hardly got out of the hotel!
     
                        No ball drop?  Just wait for the Countdown and then....
             
                                                     FIREWORKS!!!!

Just imagine Times Square without the Police Barriers.  Yup.  Utter chaos..

As for the lil incident with the wall at the hotel room, at least I got love from my niece, Avery.  She got a nick, albeit a small one to match her uncle's! (gotta look closely)  
             
                                                        That's Love!
             
                                    Here's to a good new year all!