All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
The moment between years - New Year's Eve - is usually a little bit overhyped (much like one of our favorite mediums). It's a very short night to send away one calendar and get a good start on a new life in the next. For those who hope to avoid any physical life altogether, here are Web pointers for 24 hours' worth of celebrating. (All times Eastern Standard Time.)
Today:
5 p.m.
For inspiration, the New Year Resolution site lists 17 ideal New Year's party locales, including the cold cheer of Times Square, the floating glow of the Seattle Space Needle, Las Vegas' glitzy two-day street fracas, and a cozy trail of food, drink, opera, and symphony, and blues events in Vienna.
7 p.m.
Bone up on party talk with New Year's History and Customs. Prepare to hold audiences in rapt attention while you explain that New Year's was celebrated on the more astrologically-correct 23 March by ancient Babylonians, and the Romans enjoyed a one-time 445-day year to get us where we are today. Dazzle prospective mates by revealing that the most arbitrary of holidays was opposed by the church until around the time of the discovery of America.
8 p.m.
Before leaving for the night, spend 10 minutes trying to figure out what the holiday you are about to celebrate has to do with FirstNight '98, a collection of culture-oriented links to the Louvre and Jack Kerouac writings. Answer: the FirstNight was founded in Boston in 1976 to promote alcohol-free performing arts events on New Year's Eve and now holds parties in 175 cities. The big idea is to turn New Year's into some kind of a community event instead of bacchanalian bash, with the help of writing, music, and painting.
10 p.m.
Start of Electronic Cafe's 9th Annual "Telebration," a wire-tying junction of mediums including multi-user VRML, the Palace, videoconferencing, and telephone. Scheduled entertainment includes music, dance, experimental guitar, high-end computer graphics, and lute interludes. Runs until 6:30 a.m.
11:30 p.m.
The Playboy Cyber Club kicks off its Palace cybercast of the New Year's Eve Party at Hugh Hefner's mansion. Streaming audio and video, plus live chats with whoever attends those things. Runs until 3:30 a.m.
11:55 p.m.
A good time to refer to lyrics from Robert Burns' sentimental New Year's favorite, "Auld Lang Syne," printed from chivalry.com. A RealAudio reference song makes it easier to verify pronunciation of the moving lyrics: "We twa hae run aboot the braes, and pu'd the gowans fine."
11:59 p.m.
Yahoo presents its live satellite feed of the hallowed dropping of the 500-pound laser and light mirrored ball in Times Square, New York. Once the ball is dropped, it flashes a searing 250,000 watts of light and a riot ensues. Yahoo will replay the video of this stunning display until the end of New Year's Day.
Midnight
Happy New Year! Enjoy a brief offline drink and a kiss.
1 January
6 a.m.
Kids who like to rise earlier than their parents can get a head start in '98 by clocking in immediately at Happy New Year from Billy Bear. The Java-based Goal-Making Game ("Wash your feet every day"), the New Year's Baby Game, greeting cards and calendars to color, and animated screensavers are great ways to postpone the inevitable wake-up call.
11 a.m.
The official Web simulcast of the 109th Tournament of Roses Parade begins in Pasadena. See how well the previous night's martinis mix with 22 marching bands, 300 horses, and 50 parade floats decorated with elephants and flowers. Hosted by mascots Whimsy and Merriment, the theme of this year's festival is quite light-hearted: "Hav'n Fun." Float Sponsor Edison International will be uploading images every few minutes from both the eyecam and ridercam attached to its giant robotic camel.
3 p.m.
Proclaim your New Year's resolutions to the universe. Join Lisa D., who wants to stop watching Melrose Place, and Anne H., who wants to be a good daughter-in-law. This year for sure!
3:55 p.m.
Oops! RealAudio stream of one Dr. Clark explaining why 70 percent of Americans fail to keep their New Year's resolutions (and why Post-It Notes are so necessary).
