...to all of you into this newest of years! It certainly was a happy one here at 24a. We had arranged things so that we could begin towards the end of the afternoon with the board-game players among us - & especially the young Dylans among us - & also so that people could come and go as they pleased - and as they could. Our address is a good one for such things in Strasbourg. But the adults were so blinkety-blinkin' up to their ears in preparations even at 5pm that (I have to admit) if I'd've been Dylan, I wouldn't have been impressed. However! we were so impressed with the little that we got to play of Dylan's game, Labyrinth, that we're going to try and reschedule THAT part as soon as possible. And let's be honest: for the rest of it, we can honestly say that we did it right!We were especially happy for the presence of Clare's mom and of Assia & Mohamed; and also for the giant tiny dance floor that our wee ones inspired right around midnight. And of course, we were impressed by the city-wide fireworks display; and especially by that part that our friends, big and small, put on just under our windows. Lara & Eliza were eXtrEmeLy impressed, seeing as their big brothers were down there, after the clock turned, creating some of the havoc. YEE-HAH!
There were a precious few pictures taken, which meant that only a certain percentage of those who were there were filmed, in the end
(a few of the 9-12 crowd, and here's to 'em!). But there were several good 'uns (including the two above), and here they are:
Speaking of havoc: turns out that I wasn't the only one who thought that this year's city-wide fireworks displays were among the most impressive, ever - which is to say, of course, that they were also among the most dangerous to navigate. To begin with, there were more large, sky-spanning explosions. That was the good side. But there were also more danger-seekers, which (again: of course) meant more danger-avoiders (since alot of people are only awaiting the striking of midnight, the round of kisses and a last round (of champagne) to begin their way home. And that is also - and again, of course - the moment when the wreaking of havoc begins)... They were avoiding things like the triangular battle at the end of the street, which caught the groups who left at around 00:30 and those who arrived around 00:45 in their cross-fire. Oy!
And here is the biggest of the Xmas Corners, BEFORE and AFTER. The last of the revellers having departed around 4:30am, I slept until noon the next day. And accomplished this while the Beinert Boys Three slept the afternoon away...
And HERE is to a wonderful Year 2007 to you and yours - and to everybody, everywhere. Would it could be so: peace on earth, good will to all.
