My friend was in town. I had rushed back to New York in order to meet him during the tiny window his miserly student budget allowed him to visit. He wanted to see Times Square on New Years Eve. Couldn't blame him... you have to do it once right?
We stood their for hours, arriving early to ensure good spots. Well, as good as any considering there are no bathrooms and the cops coral you into dense people-blocks where everyone has to move and breath as one. Still, it's quite a sight. A million people packed into two(ish?) city blocks. On the asphalt beneath those teaming masses a material record of the event accumulates... first bits of souvenir hats and horns join the normal day-to-day litter of times square. As the night goes on, food wrappings and water bottles full of alcohol-induced urine join the mess... a testament to the biological rigors of celebration without restrooms. Finally, it is all topped by a sprinkling of confetti, marking the conclusion of the event, and forming the most visible debris as the horde of revelers begins making its way back to the subway station.
The event was spectacular, though it was clear that the festivities were organized for the viewers at home, and not for the bajillion people waiting patiently for the (actually quite small) ball to drop. The main stage was behind you (if you were facing the ball), and the screens only selectively showed you what was going on. I was struck by the blaring performance (or, unfortunately, advertising) opportunity that was being missed. Imagine, all those screens projecting portions of a larger art piece. Or, more likely, portions of one huge, mind-boggling advertisement. The first suggestion would have been preferable, but even the latter would have been better than a night of the same 3 commercials looping over and over. Too bad; they had quite captive audience.
On the subway back to my apartment, a woman inquired about our funny hats and balloons. She was shocked that I actually lived in New York. "Don't you know that your broke the first rule of being a New Yorker! Only tourists go to Times Square..." Ah well... don't tell anyone.
1 comment:
Since I am that friend that the ridiculous, but more or less worth it, notion to stand in times square for 12 hours (I'm not exaggerating) I can say it made the rest of my week not so difficult. I was dragged all over NYC, willing mind you, but it was a lot of walking and waiting in line for the tourist sites. The phrase of the week was to 'man up' and not to whine about having to wait 45 mins to get in the Empire State Building. 45 mins might as well been a cup cake baking contest compared to the Times Square event. So next anybody complains about having to wait I just ask: "Have you ever waited 12 hours on your feet with no food or bathroom to watch a tiny ball drop that is twenty stories in the air?"
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