2009 had its serious ups and downs, and as the year ends I’m reminded of how truly blessed I am to still be here. As for the coming new year…let’s face it, why call them resolutions if you can’t really do them all. Let’s just all try to be better people to each other…offer help when you can…spend time with your families and loved ones…find a balance in everything you do…and the most importantly…ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL.
How did it begin? Where did it come from? When was the first?
In 1920, a 400 pound ball made entirely of wrought iron replaced the original. In 1955, the iron ball was replaced with an aluminum ball weighing a mere 200 pounds. This aluminum Ball remained unchanged until the 1980s, when red light bulbs and the addition of a green stem converted the Ball into an apple for the “I Love New York” marketing campaign from 1981 until 1988. After seven years, the traditional glowing white Ball with white light bulbs and without the green stem returned to brightly light the sky above Times Square. In 1995, the Ball was upgraded with aluminum skin, rhinestones, strobes, and computer controls, but the aluminum ball was lowered for the last time in 1998.
Now you know!
I had dinner with my second family tonight (the Herrera’s) and I was surprised to get this awesome early Christmas gift. This is a bowl molded from an actual record. The thing that got me most was the fact that they requested it to be made from a jazz record, Dinah Washington to be exact. Thanks guys, way to get me emotional and teary-eyed!
We don’t get many storms out in lovely Southern California. Weather forecasts says it’ll be raining all week and last night’s storm was a doozy. We get made fun of for complaining about a little rain by our friends in the East, but when you get hit with a rain storm that would last for at least 5 days…it’s nice to catch one of these beautiful moments….
My wife surprised me with an early present since she knows there’s absolutely NO WAY she could’ve hidden this from me. Behold, the 1970 General Electric “Wildcat” V931 portable phonograph in MINT condition. She found it at an antique shop and it was seriously immaculate! The sound was pure analog and was very reminiscent of simpler times when you can put on your favorite record and be entertained for hours. I must’ve been a good boy this year?
