Cheapest and Laziest New Years EVER!!

First off, besides going out on Monday, New Years Eve and just now, going to a surprise Bday dinner for a friend on a Friday nite, this whole week I did nothing but stay home, watch DVD movies, catch up on Tivo and SLEEP!! (oddly enough, didn't play a single video game either!) Lots of sleeping...it was a lot of recovery time for the hectic month I had and also for "stocking up" on sleep and relaxation for the upcoming 2 months of crunch (we are trying to finish our game by Feb). Months of Hell, I come for you!!

For New Years, as stated before, was only planned like hours before I set out. And as it turns out, didn't really cost me too much to celebrate. While some of my other friend's shelled out big bucks to go to some private party at some fancy nite club, I had one of the most fun yet inexpensive nites out on the town, AND for New Years too. Not a bad way to spend my first New Years in Seattle.

First thing I did was I headed over to Priscilla's house for some yummy Hot Pot dinner, where I learn the "proper way" to do hot pot is to use a RAW egg as your sauce for the cooked meat(!). I have done a lot of hot pot but this is the first time I have ever used a raw egg and though I was very skeptically and worried about getting sick, I drove head first into it. Those it still taste the same as if I didn't use the raw egg (I tend to use a lot of soy sauce too so that probably drown the taste).

And oh yeah, did I mention I didn't have to even pay for this meal. I mean, I offer to pitch in for some of the groceries, but they wouldn't accept it. And we weren't even going to the same parties for New Years either!! Just a nice jester towards friends.

After being fed and watching Bubble Boy, Justin and myself headed to downtown Seattle, towards the Space Needle (where the fireworks / countdown was to be) and to meet our other friends who was eating at the Liquid Lounge at EMP (Experience Music Project...that wierd ass music museum). From there, we went upstairs to listen to a bunch of white guys playing hip hop (called themselves Optimus Rhyme and the 100th Monkey) and for drinks and to chill before the actually fireworks at midnight.

Did I mention we paid NO COVER to get into this bar and we even got all our drinks for FREE!! Our organizer, Sylvia, from South Africa, called up Liquid Lounge to find out what was happening there only to realized that the manager on the other end recognized her accent and revealed he too was from South Africa. And he invited her and all her friends for a free round of drinks!

Around 11:45pm, we went outside and headed towards the Space Needle which was only around the corner. And yet, despite how late we left, we got REALLY close and an awesome view to the Space Needle for the final countdown and firework display. And the crowd was REALLY into it too. There was a level of excitment that was just incredible. It was a lot of fun, despite being close enough to actually have some of the ash go into your eyes.

Later that nite, we head to this local hotel (called Sorento) where we had a small desert and coffee before calling it a night. Sure, we paid for that, but that was a small price compared to amount fun we had. 2004...I hope this is only a sample of the good things to come.


Anyways...its like 3am in the morning now and I am to drive up to Vancouver tomorrow to meet up with Denny one last time and take advantage of Vancouver's 4 am last call. One last hoorah before I return to my hectic work life. Its going to be fun...