Happy New Year!

Who cares about watching a stupid ball drop down a pole when you can stand in front of a raging bonfire celebration.

Out with the bad, in with the good -- let's hope 2006 makes up for 2005.




Drum circle.





New Orleans firefighters monitoring.



Spectators waiting.


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Celebrants raced and danced around the fire.

This video of the bonfire provides a better sense of the celebration's energy.