11:24

Four hundred pounds of wrought iron steel, the main attraction for the nights event.  People crowd the streets of New York City's Times Square for the annual dropping of the ball.  Roughing the cold and snow, excitement and chatter fill the air.  Corner to corner, soap box to soap box, Advantage makes his way through the streets rejoicing on another years end and a new year to follow.

11:32

A year full of pain, love, death, and life will not be soon forgotten.  Taking a spot on the edge of the crowd, Advantage leans back and remembers all that has past in the last year.  Thoughts of his father and father's father, many diaries seemingly put him into the actions he had read.  Stories of lost friends and new found love, intense fights for life and of utmost respect and loyalty.  Yes, it had been quite the year.  Experiences that would make him the man he is today and set the slate for the upcoming year.

11:53

Snapping out of his gaze, he watches the crowd around.  Couples snuggled closely together, their children roaming freely with friends.  A little boy throws his die-cast airplane through the air, a Raggedy Ann doll tied tightly to it.  An unexpected chuckle escapes Advantage's mouth as a little girl screams and runs to find her doll.

The time, 11:59.  The crowd begins to hush.  Anxious boys and girls climb their parents in hopes of a better view.  Looks of awe strike the crowd as the countdown begins:

New York City falls into unison.  The new year is almost here.

Ten...Nine...Eight:...Seven...Six...

Five: Children's eyes light up

Four: The anticipation continues to grow

Three: Men pull their ladies in close

Two: Ladies hold on tight

One: It's done, out with the old in with the new

Screams of a Happy New Year all around.  Hugs and kisses everywhere you look.

A happy holidays to everyone.  Sometimes it's nice to take a moment and remember the good that has come throughout the year.  Never forget your past, always prepare for your future.

A lonesome shadow eerily creeps around the jagged brick corner of the ally off Fifth and Madison - His hot breath steaming in the crisp cold midnight air.

In the distance a large shiny object fell - a roar of a cheer gushed from the crowd of families below.

Before Mezz turns away to return to his life of solitude a single tear runs down his cheek as he dreams of perhaps how life could have treated him so differently.

As Auld Langsine rings out this evening, perhaps spare a thought for those in this world who are less fortunate than you.

If Success is paved by taking good opportunities, those opportunities need to be there in the first instance.