As the sun sets here in southeastern Wisconsin, I thought I'd share a recording of the New Year's song, "Auld Lang Syne" (people often search for "Old Lang Syne," perhaps because "Same Old Lang Syne" was one of Dan Fogelberg's greatest hits). My favorite version of...
As the last moments of 2008 evaporate like a mongrel's marking on the fire hydrant of hope, I'm doing a little extra-credit research into New Year food and New Year traditions — including any which might attract good luck next year. I just might be willing to eat a...
Strasbourg, France — The Place de la Gare ("Rail Station Square") with Ferris wheel on New Year's Eve from the window of our room at the Hotel Ibis Strasbourg Centre Gare. We had just driven 7 hours / 482 km from Paris and...
Chicago Chinatown — A drummer for a lion dance plays outside Hong Min Restaurant at 221 W Cermak Road following the Chinese New Year parade.
Chicago Chinatown — The crowd on Wentworth Avenue disperses at the conclusion of the Chinese New Year parade.
Chicago Chinatown — Several lion dancers pass under the Chinatown Gate on Wentworth Avenue at the conclusion of the Chinese New Year parade.
Chicago Chinatown — A truck carries lion dancers down Wentworth Avenue in front of the Pui Tak Center during the Chinese New Year Parade.
Chicago Chinatown — Drum major and sousaphone players from Curie High School marching in the Chinese New Year Parade on Wentworth Avenue.
Chicago Chinatown — Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) marchers in the Chinese New Year Parade on Wentworth Avenue.
Chicago Chinatown — A dragon dance team in the Chinese New Year Parade on Wentworth Avenue, ushering in the Year of the Dragon, 4698.
Chicago Chinatown — A spectator strains to see the Chinese New Year Parade while standing next to long strings of firecrackers.
Chicago Chinatown — A dragon near the beginning of the Chinese New Year Parade in the Year of the Dragon, viewed from South Wentworth Avenue and West 23rd Street. [includeme...
Chicago Chinatown — The Chinese New Year Parade begins on South Wentworth Avenue.
Kenosha, Wisconsin — Bathers emerging from Lake Michigan on New Year's Day after Kenosha's annual Polar Bear Plunge at Simmons Island Beach.
Kenosha, Wisconsin — Bathers dash into Lake Michigan on New Year's Day for Kenosha's annual Polar Bear Plunge at Simmons Island Beach.
Kenosha, Wisconsin — A participant wears a Green Bay Packers Foam Cheesehead Hat to Kenosha's annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Plunge at Simmons Island Beach on Lake Michigan's western shore, celebrating the first day of the...