The 6th Annual GMT New Millennium Party

First some background for those who have no idea what a GMT New Millennium Party is. A millennium is simply a period of one thousand years. So each year on December 31st, instead of simply celebrating a new year, we celebrate the beginning of a new millennium. This year, that new millennium is the period from January 1, 2005 till December 31, 3004. In addition, instead of arbitrarily choosing midnight San Diego time, we choose midnight Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) as the transition point. Conveniently, that happens to be the middle of the afternoon in San Diego - usually a fine time to go to the beach.

This year we had a bit of a light turnout due to some very slightly uncooperative weather. Here's the brave and hardy souls.

Here they are again, still only slightly wet and bedraggled (with a different photographer).

It was pretty windy when we started, but thinking quickly, I invoked Murphy's Law (anything that can go wrong will) in our favor. As soon as I got out my kite, the wind quit, and the weather was much more enjoyable (or maybe just tolerable).

The kids loved being able to play with their rain gear and umbrellas. They don't often get the chance in San Diego.

In fact, everybody seemed pretty happy.

Affectionate too!

When the sun came out, it sure was bright! I didn't think to bring sunglasses.

And then we got a spectacular double rainbow. It was far better in person (they usually are), with both ends ending at the horizon (cliffs) and the main bow was so bright that it reflected in the mist surrounding the rainbows giving the impression of continuous color. It was worth putting up with the rain to get the rainbows.

And for those who waited, not a bad sunset.

Looks almost tropical, doesn't it?

The last rays of 2004.

And the clouds light up for the final colors.

So those that persevered were amply rewarded by nature's colors. Thanks to those sixteen brave and adventurous souls who made the party.

The rest of you? Especially the ones in town? Can you spell 'wimpy'? That's W-I-M-P-Y, wimpy! Just kidding. We hope to see you next year!