I spent the past few days in New York. Rang in the new year in Times Square. I suppose it's something everyone should think about experiencing once. Having lived there many years ago, it's something I'd done before on a few occasions. Insanity. Always exciting though.

We were in a restaurant just off 7th and out of the main mass. It's a personal police escort these days, for a couple of blocks, right to the door of the restaurant - complete with ID, dinner reservation proof, and a pat-down for weapons. The restaurant was busy, but the street outside (45th) was deserted because all but Times Square is closed off to all traffic - pedestrian and auto - from 6th to 9th, 40th to 59th. At midnight we stepped outside to the empty street in front of the restaurant and toasted another trip around the Sun.

We made a quick exit and by the time we were back to our hotel on 45th and 5th, the confetti was coming down like snow, carried by the wind. The sound was drunken festive and the well wishes were flowing from every shop owner and scattering of people as we walked by. It was nice.

2012 is off to a great start.