Happy 2006

(a Spring night in Paris, 2005)

We rang in the New Year to hear a tribal drum from the house across the street - the lady drumming away mentioned their yearly tradition of the midnight drumming. Oh yeah, very Kits! At the moment, lots of joggers outside, despite the wind and occasional rain. People walking their dogs, shopping for groceries, and this, over at English Bay: a Polar Bear Swim! The yearly event started at 2:30 this afternoon. Found out about it at 2:33. I did make a run down to the beach to witness it through binoculars, and heard lots of cheering and others out on their boats watching from the water. With this wind, it's lucky the temperature is so mild (about 10C). I saw a few divers hit the waves, and headed up the hill for my afternoon cup of (decaf) joe.

The seagulls are circling here above like mad, flying against the wind, as are the geese and ducks down at the shore. All in all, we're happy to be here, very happy in fact. Did anyone see Dick Clark on TV last night? He's really doing his best, but in all the years I lived in The Netherlands, I hadn't seen him age and see his condition deteriorate at THIS pace. I guess he survived a recent stroke. It seems that Ryan Seacrest is priming up for taking over his slot in the future. And what about Duran Duran? Have they aged or what? Why the tv crew chose to show their live show during "Notorious" was beyond me. They'd had so many great hits over the years. The Bangles, however, looked great and sounded even better!

But I ramble…best wishes to all of you for a great new year -

Ariane C