THE LAST 5 HOURS OF 2013!

We
left the Quarterdeck and headed to I-95 not knowing what to expect but
there was very little traffic and we zipped along. Getting off the
interstate and going onto Biscayne Boulevard once again we were
surprised at lack of traffic. There were 4-5 police cars near and around
the Adrienne Arsht Center while usually there are only two. I mention
this because of what we saw later!

The parking set up at the
Center is such that the further away the parking lot the cheaper the
price. They range from $8 for a lot two short blocks away and $25 for
valet parking.

We got to the corner to cross the street and for
the first time I can remember there wasn’t a policeman directing
traffic. Granted both car and foot traffic, though steady, was as busy
as usual.

We got into the Center which was all bright and
“Christmassy” and standing there were the two people (picture 1) who
make it possible for me to get great seats at Broadway touring shows.
Charlotte is the PR for Bank of America and Charlie is the PA. You
couldn’t meet two nicer people. Pictures 2, 3, 6 and 7 were the curtain
calls (which I had permission to take as long as I didn’t use a flash!)
In the future picture taking is going to be a problem in theatre because
you see more and more people taking pictures--even during the
show!--due to cell phone cameras.

We had a few minutes before the
doors open so we sat around and dished the people! LOL IT is bad enough
guys don’t wear jackets  anymore to the theatre but shorts and
flip-flops?!?!? And some of the women weren’t any better with short
shorts. The best dressed person we saw was a 10 (?) year old kid wearing
a tie!

On the back of every seat in the auditorium was an
invitation to come see the ‘snow’ fall in the lobby during intermission
and attached to the card was a “Happy New Year” necklace. (See picture
4)

I have already reviewed the show, which you can read, and
posted it here last week. It had a 7 PM start which was probably because
of the New Year’s Eve parties people would be going to so we got out
around 9:40. Walking to the parking lot we noticed a complete absence of
police or police cars which I have never seen that happen before!

Once
again we were surprised by the lack of traffic--that is until we hit
the Hollywood exits where it was a bit heavier but when we got off at
Broward Boulevard we almost hit a standstill. Obviously a lot of people
were heading down to the Riverfront for the celebration, the ball
dropping and the fireworks!

It was about 10:30 when Allen dropped
me off at my place. I went upstairs, took off my clothes, got into my
bathrobe and slippers, sat in my lounge chair with a small snack put on
the TV and watched the ball drop in Times Square. Hey that’s what old
folks do!!!

It was 2014 and I silently wished those I care about a
great year and wished myself, in spite of a few medical problems, a
year at least as good as 2013 because it wasa good year for me--I got up
every morning!

Now on to 2014