Thousands of San Antonians greet 2003 Fireworks light up the night over the Tower of the Americas and the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Enthusiastic San Antonioans enjoy themselves in the streets as they await the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve. Nikon D1H, ISO 800 f4@1/8, auto flash.

A New Year's Eve moment

I had been assigned to cover the celebrations for the San Antonio Express-News, which meant that I would not be with family and friends at the stroke of midnight.

Instead, I would be with my camera.

I began my New Year's Eve assignment at 7 p.m. As I wandered by revelers in downtown San Antonio, I thought of the things I had seen in 2002. Foremost in my mind, and with heavy heart, I thought of how our world is filled with strife, hatred and misunderstanding. The Bali bombing, the Middle East troubles and other world events filled my thoughts as I wandered through the thick crowd of people who were giddy with anticipation as the hour of midnight drew near.

Viewing happy people through my viewfinder in those moments allowed me to see that joy still exists. I saw people dancing, young couples holding hands, fathers and mothers with their children and girls wearing cardboard chrome tiaras on their heads.

I made pictures, and, after setting up my Powerbook, I transmitted several photos back to the Express-News.

I departed the crowds at 11 p.m., to make it into the tall building from which I would shoot the fireworks over the city at the stroke of midnight.

A security guard accompanied me to the outside observation deck on the 29th floor. He left me at 11:30. I then set up my camera and Powerbook. I could clearly hear the crowd 300 feet below and 1/4 mile away. They counted down to the magic moment, and I made photos as fireworks shot out from the Tower of the Americas and revelers hugged and screamed, "happy new year!"

The immense fireworks show was over in 20 minutes, and from my vantage point, the crowd's roar gradually became a conversation-level buzz.

I transmitted the last of my photos to the Express-News, and, when I was done, I suddenly realized how alone I was in the tower.

I leaned on a nearby gargoyle and breathed in the night air. The smell of cordite from the fireworks lingered. I then realized that I could consider the stroke of midnight as a moment stolen from me and my loved ones, or I could steal the moment back and savor the solitude.

And so, I breathed. I prayed and wished for a 2003 that would be joyous and peaceful.

And I was thankful for that moment

--Billy Calzada, Jan. 1, 2003

Liz Zapata enjoys herself on New Years Eve.	Thousands of people gather at Hemisfair Park.

"Binational baseball"

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©2003 Billy Calzada