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But reading into the article, I discovered it wasn't terribly interesting after all. Instead of watching television, people went out to parties and millennium gatherings. Nothing wrong with going out, but the phrasing of the article suggested an either/or decision made by all:

"Defying fears of violence, cold weather and overpriced drinks, most Americans seemed to prefer real-life millennium party on Friday night to watching one on television."

Were these the only choices -- be at a millennium party or watch one on television? What about those of us who don't own a television? What about those who use a television set only to watch a video once in a while, but never allow TV "in the clear" into their homes? Wasn't it conceptually possible that someone could not be watching television and also not be out at a party?

We don't own a television. We have nothing against parties, as such, but with small children -- three boys and a girl, all under age 7 -- going out to late-night parties just doesn't fit with our responsibilities and the things we enjoy most in the stage of life we're in. Drinking parties that go on till the wee hours just don't make fun family outings. 

Let me tell you, in summary, what we did New Year's Eve:

We had a great time with friends who brought their three sons (ages 7, 5 and 2) over for supper.  When they left, about 9:30 or so, I let the boys spread out sleeping bags in the living room and dining room and I brought down a portable crib for my daughter. My wife and I also made sleeping bag room for ourselves on the living room floor. I read Psalm 103 out loud and the children went to sleep almost immediately, since it was already nearly two hours past the time they'd normally be in bed. We left some of the little Christmas lights on -- white ones around the top of the wall and colored ones tangled up in a potted oriental dwarf tree sitting on the piano. It was quiet. Wonderfully peaceful. Since it wasn't that long to wait I decided I'd stay awake for the New Year.

Elizabeth and I talked in whispers (the baby is a light sleeper) and had a glass of sparkling Italian stuff that's like Champaign -- Spumante, I think it is. Just before midnight I popped the top on a cold Budweiser (in an aluminum can) and slid it into my "I Love Mississippi" cold drink holder. A gulp or two of fizzy wine is ok, but since it was a celebration of sorts, I wanted to drink something I like.

We have a clock that strikes, so we knew when it was midnight, more or less. As it turned out, our clock was a little fast because out in the neighborhood the firecrackers, pop-bottle rockets and other assorted noise-makers, and the raucous shouting and shrieking, didn't start for several minutes after it was Y2K in our house.

Peter Barry 1/3/2000

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