For me, NYE begins today. One of the assisted living facilities where I regularly perform booked the date a year ago for their NYE party. They close all the curtains in the Activity Room, dim the lights, then set the clocks ahead to 11 p.m., thereby setting the needed atmosphere. All the residents dress for the occasion, wear funny looking hats, and have noise makers. At the stroke of midnight (on the reset clock) a balloon is dropped, I play Auld Lang Syne, followed by Moonlight Serenade, those that can dance do so, and I end the performance with Show Me The Way To Go Home.

Tomorrow, I have another daytime NYE party from 2 till 4 p.m. at a retirement community, followed by my regular 9 p.m. till 1 a.m. party at another retirement community.

Next NYE, if my health doesn't go to Hell in a hand-basket, I'll be celebrating NYE somewhere in the Florida Keys or the Bahamas, probably performing at a Tiki Bar and wearing shorts, flip-flops and a Hawaiian shirt. OH YEAH!

Happy New Year everyone,

Gary