Happy 2009 in Amsterdam!!

Plenty of excitement just in our backyard last night! Happy 2009 Everybody!

Prinsegracht and Speigelstraat

Another New Year's Day shot. This'll have to hold ya for a while since I'll be away visiting family. Check back in a week or so!!!

Firecracker debris.

The countdown at Leidseplein

The countdown to midnight was superimposed upon the Stadsschouwburg, the theatre hall at Leidseplein.

New Year's Eve Leidseplein

The scene at Leidseplein, Amsterdam, on New Year's Eve 2007

Backyard Fireworks

I think this one was called Golden Empress or something. They all had amusing names, Spring Joy, Golden Autumn. Some had wildly different names and looked exactly the same. These were charming, a nice little backyard display and no noise, or maybe a whistle or two.

Ringing it out with a Bang

The rain stopped about 10 pm and the explosives came out. This shot by Brett Laumeister with postwork by Xanna Ziskey, New Year's Eve 2007, Amsterdam, our back yard.

We're Ready

Amsterdam allows fireworks, roman candles, firecrackers and the like to be sold and set off for a few days around New Year's. It's 5 pm, and the little booms and pops have been building all day. We've assembled our own little arsenal this year, eager to take part, and this is a test shot out in our back yard. I'm getting excited!!!