New Year’s Traditions: Watching The ball drop

NY Times Square Ball 

In America, one of our most popular traditions doesn’t include food, opening the doors, or breaking dishes – it’s watching the ball drop in New York’s Time Square.

You can find the ball on the roof of 1 Times Square. On New Year’s Eve it drops 141 feet in 60 seconds, stopping at midnight and ringing in the New Year. But how did dropping the ball come to be such a big deal?

Adolph Ochs, owner of the NY Times in 1904, celebrated with a fireworks show on the roof of 1 Times Square to bring in 1905. But after a couple of fireworks shows, he wanted something bigger with more pizazz. The newspaper’s chief electrician, a guy named Walter Painer, suggested having a ball drop.

Ochs loved the idea! The 1^st ball weighed 700 pounds and dropped on 31 DEC 1907, to celebrate 1908’s arrival. It was made with iron and wood and was lit with 100 incandescent light bulbs.

 

Adolph Ochs

Interesting Facts:

The 1^st ball was retired in 1920.

The only years the ball didn’t drop was 1942, and 1943, due to World War II.

The average temp in NYC at midnight on New Year’s Eve is 33.7 degrees Fahrenheit!

The current ball weighs 11,975 pounds!

Question: Do you watch the ball drop? If you’re not in the Eastern time zone, do you watch the ball drop “live” at 12 midnight EST, or do you watch when it’s midnight in your time zone?

Author Bio: Stephanie Burkhart is currently a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. She’s been a dispatcher for 15 years. She’s also published with Desert Breeze Publishing, 4RV Publishing, and Victory Tales Press.

Her fantasy romance, The Green Rose, is published with Desert Breeze.

Teaser: Sonia's inner courage and strength are tested when she must trust Ivánstan to help her save Gaia from an evil treat.

Enjoy this excerpt:

Ivánstan whirled around and thrust his sword into the wyldebeast. His pulse thundered under his skin. Sweat beaded on his temple. With a jerk, he withdrew the blade and the creature stumbled forward, collapsing on its side. A foul stench from the beast filled the air -- copper and sulfur. Ivánstan steeled his spine and toughened his resolve, running his gaze over the creature and studying it. He had never seen the feared wyldebeast up close, but now Komodo Field was stained red with their blood. His jaw tensed and Ivánstan drew in a breath to tamp down his fear. The creature was tall, yet thin with coarse fur, long fingers, and orange eyes. Its fangs and nails were said to ooze poison. 

Amazon Buy Link: http://amzn.com/B007QUBU2E 

Review: 5 Stars, Scorching Book Reviews

I don't read much romantic fantasy, but this was so well structured and so lovely, I could not put it down. 

Book Teaser:   

Find me on the Web at:

WEBSITE:

http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:

http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

FACEBOOK: 

https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor

GOOD READS:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart

YOU TUBE CHANNEL:

http://www.youtube.com/user/botrina?feature=mhee

PINTEREST:

http://pinterest.com/sgburkhart/

LINK: SCORCHING BOOK REVIEWS:

http://scorchingbookreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/nix-fantasy-romance-review-green-rose.html?zx=b0a7435f42571ca7

Happy New Year! 2012 Resolutions

Well, 2011 has come and gone and its time to start a New Year with a fresh face.

Did you make any resolutions for 2011? You know, I hate to say it, but I don't think I did. I tend to set goals. Goals seem obtainable to me. Resolutions imply a firm commitment to your personal objective and I always feel like a loser when I come up short.

What makes people talk about resolutions at the beginning of the New Year? I think for the most part, people are in a reflective mood when one year ends and another begins. We naturally look to the past, evaluate where we are in life and set new resolutions/commitments/goals for the future.

I can't honestly say how long New Years resolutions have been going on. My Internet research suggests the Romans began the tradition in 153 BC when they established "Janus" the god of beginnings and the guardian of doors and entrance at the start of their calendar. Janus became a symbol of resolutions for the Romans. They looked for forgiveness from their enemies and exchanged gifts. The gifts were simple, branches or coins with Janus' face on them.


Nowadays, for those making resolutions, the motivation behind them is self-improvement. These can include: weight loss, eat better, exercise more, quit smoking, reduce stress, take a trip, volunteer to help others, and there are many more.

This year I intend to commit to weight loss. I don't want to say "I resolve" because I'm afraid I'll fail, but I'll call it a goal. This goal is going to take patience, planning, and time. Losing weight doesn't come easy or quickly. I've also noticed it’s a wee bit harder over 40 as well, but I want to be healthy, especially for the boys so losing about 30-40 pounds is a goal I want to achieve.

I'm kindling the fire of the plan as I write. I'm joining the weight loss challenge at work, heading back to weight watchers, and planning meals as well as exercise time.

Okay, I'm pooped thinking about it. This is going to take a serious commitment on my part. Yikes. Sounds a like resolution to me.

Mind you, I have good intentions. In fact, my husband's along for the ride and I've got the boys to cheer me on, but I know it's not going to be easy.

Do you make resolutions? Why or why not? Share thoughts for success, or if resolutions and goal setting isn't your thing, share your thoughts and reflections for 2012.

Inspiration flows from the exchange of ideas.
Smiles
Steph

New Year's Trivia 2011

Hello, everyone! I've got some interesting New Year's trivia to share with you. Answer all my trivia questions correctly and your name will be put in a hat for my drawing. If I pick your name, you'll receive a print copy of your choice of the following:

Destination: Berlin
Across The Fickle Winds of History
The Giving Meadow
A Christmas Collection, Stimulating
The Ethereal Gazette #12

I'll pick two winners and announce them on Monday, 3 JAN.

#1 Who established the tradition of setting New Years resolutions?

#2 Who wrote Auld Lang Syne?

#3 What year did the 1st New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square, New York?

#4 Who established Jan 1st as the start of the New Year?

#5 Which city hosts the 1st major New Year's Eve celebration each year?

#6 What year was the Tournament of Roses Parade established?

#7 The Dutch believe that eating WHAT will bring good luck for the new year?

HINT: If you visit the HEA Blog and the Desert Breeze blog you'll find the answers to the questions.

HEA:: http://happilyeverafterauthors2.blogspot.com/
DESERT BREEZE: http://desertbreezepublishing.blogspot.com

Have a happy and prosperous new year and good luck with the trivia.
Smiles
Steph