TRADITION: New Year's Eve Ball Drop...why?

Did you know the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. drops its own time ball every day at noon?
 

 Pardon the lateness on this one.

According to the US Naval Oceanography portal, the USNO time ball was one of the first systems to enable the Observatory to support remote users. The ball was dropped at the astronomically determined instant of Mean Solar Noon in Washington.  Back in the day, this enabled the navigators of ships anchored in the Potomac River to rate their chronometers...or in other words, synchronize their timepieces.

The USNO is one of the oldest scientific agencies in the country. Its primary mission was to care for the U.S. Navy's chronometers, charts and other navigational equipment, and was first established as the Depot of Charts and Instruments back in 1830.

Photo from Astronomy Picture of the Day.  Thanks to Margot Adler's NPR story for the inspiration.

PHOTOS: Officiating in Anaheim, CA and Malibu, CA

At last! Here is a photo from a very special, very private wedding officiated in September 2008.

Yes, the bride and groom are both wearing mouse ears!



This couple were married in a beach ceremony in the New Year's Eve afternoon on the sand of Malibu.

Notice the waves in the background! The sun had basically set by the time we were done...and smiles were still all around.


Whether you seek a simple yet intimate wedding ceremony, or you plan to be married with all your friends and family present, don't forget the officiant! For more information please see website: A Non-Denominational Ceremony - An Orange County and Los Angeles Officiant.

WEDDING: Beach Ceremony in Malibu, CA on New Year's Eve!

CONGRATULATIONS: Mandy and Aaron!

This couple, with about a dozen family and friends, drove all the way from Santa Clarita to be married on the beach at the ocean. i liked these two right away when we first met because of the playful way they interacted with each other, and the obvious way Aaron cared for Mandy, through his actions and simply the way he looks at her. And, the love they share just took over effortlessly, as the following excerpt from their ceremony shows:

"Once they became romantically involved, a unique and beautiful aspect of their
relationship was that there wasn’t really any more 'yours' or 'mine'. They knew they had found each other, and so, many things were a given and simply fell into place."

What a great way to welcome the New Year! Please see PHOTOS.