So I got ditched. My buddy Jeff couldn't make it because he had to write a term paper (I thought we left high school 10 years ago, apparently not.). My Co-worker couldn't make it because ... well I don't know why, she isn't returning my phone calls. So I went to see the fireworks alone. *sniff* This time I thought I'd try a new location, specifically the FDR Drive in Lower Manhatten, right by the Financial District. Right by the job, as it happens. The entrances are either right by the Staten Island Ferry terminal, or the Pearl Street entrance to the downtown FDR onramp, right by the Brooklyn Bridge. Remembering from past experience, when the crowds have jammed up the FDR entrance at 34th and 42nd streets by 7pm, I left a little early, getting to the Brooklyn Bridge by 6:50pm. I needn't have worried. The place was EMPTY. Nobody was around, much less fighting for a prime spot. I ambled up to a great spot with a completely unobstructed view right over Maiden Lane, and camped out on the median dividing the uptown and downtown lanes. The wind was cool, the sun had set behind the tall buildings of Manhatten, and until 8pm, there wasn't any real conjestion at all. Of all the times I've watched fireworks, this was the least crowded EVER. Even by 9pm, there was still plenty of room for people, and there was hardly any jostling for a good spot. I highly recommend this spot, and look forward to going there next year. And then the fireworks came. Besides the minor point of the wind blowing towards us, and the smoke of the spent shells partly obscuring the views, it was a great show as always. Largest in the country, you can't go wrong with that. Look for pics soon in my soon to be launched FOURTH blog (why yes, I DO have too much free time on my hands).