WTF am I doing up at 5:30 on New Year's Day? Courtesy of my neighbors, who were blowing off firecrackers all frickin' night long. But they thoughtfully saved one last M-80 for this morning.
 
Other than that, 2014's been just dandy so far.

Enough is enough
 
I would have called the police.

 
Dave, by the sound of it, you'd have been better off if there had been a technical malfunction with the fireworks, similar to this 'display' in Scotland in 2011
 

 
 
From the local paper:
 
A technical hitch saw Oban’s community fireworks all released at the same time at Mossfield Stadium tonight, November 4 2011.
 
The display, which usually lasts around half an hour, barely lasted a minute as a spectacular number of fireworks went off simultaneously. After a minute of darkness, Councillor Roddie McCuish, one of the members of the organising committee, had to apologise and tell the crowd of hundreds who had gathered to watch the annual fireworks, that it was all over.
 
 
 
 

David,
 
So sorry to hear about you neighbors.
 
Don't get me going with regards to my neighbors. 
 
I live in a very rural country setting, but...I think that lends itself to people thinking they can do whatever they want because..."hey we're in the middle of nowhere, and we can do whatever the fudge we want, at anytime, to anyone, with anything, in any place, with complete disregard for anyone, anything, time or location...did I cover it all, or leave something unsaid.
 
I just hate people like that!
 
Other than that, I have a new year to look forward to. With all of my new gear and 10,000 hours of studio time I might just be able to get out of my own way.
 
Have a great New Year Everyone.

Sorry about your neighbors, Bit.  
 
I had a rough night on Monday, so I was pretty tired already.  I used blackout curtains and earplugs last night and nodded out around 9:30.  I didn't hear any fireworks at all.  
 
A Happy & Healthy 2014 to you, 
Jan

Fireworks attract idiots. It's just one of those things. 

Dandy, not for some people. Oh, what? It's snowing some snow and in the low teens for a high when it should be around 31 for a high, and after Saturday when it is suppose to be a high that is nomal (31) by Monday the high is going to be -9 and Tuesday -1 (that is minus 9 for a high and minus 1 for a high). I hope the weatherperson is wrong, but this year is starting to be crap. Let alone all the other people who are going to have trouble probably.
 
Bye!

 
I was up early also but not that early, and I also went back to sleep for a couple more hours because..................which is a good answer.
 
 

2014 is starting out ok here. We had a few fireworks but no one set any off at 5:30am. People like that come up missing around here ;)
 
I caught the first cold I've had in a long time. Managed to give it to my poor wife. I think it was all that processed sugar I ingested over Christmas.My cells didn't fight things as well as they normally do loaded up on  sugar.Whenever I get a cold like that my tinnitis kicks up something fierce. Things seem to be getting better slowly. If that's the worst it gets I count myself very fortunate. 
 
I pretty much expect a wet rough winter. We are well over due for one after at least the last three years being very mild winters.They are calling for snow but the stuff doesn't scare me. I'll just move it out of the way if I have to. The Farmers Almanac pretty much said that we could expect a wet winter and it is usually right. I'm prepared about as much as I can be at this point.Ready for the ride where ever it might take me.

On the positive side Bit, you were able to wake up when the cracker went off. I'd call that a result and would hope it happens again next year.
 
My yobs were pumping the subs until about 4:30 this morning. Hmmf, Hmmf, Hmmf, man that crap wears on you after a couple hours. I try and remember that I was once young and stupid. Sadly, I'm not young any more.

I was alone in the house last night when, at 2:45AM, while I'm watching TV upstairs in my room, I hear some tapping on the window next to me (remember, I'm on the second floor).  Needless to say, I jumped and then noticed a little bird (black-cap Junco) standing by the window looking at me.  I'm guessing he got scared by all the fireworks going off, but he sure gave me a start!  Hope he got back home ok.