Happy New Year! Want to know one big difference between living in the Midwest and living in Las Vegas? Prior to this year, I'd never seen a single firework ignited on New Year's Eve (except on TV). But when the clock struck midnight this year, I could see no less than 4 fireworks shows from my apartment's balcony. And my apartment faces away from the Strip. I did, however, manage to see the Strip's fireworks thanks to the magic of local TV. As a former Louisvillian, I've endured many, many "Thunder Over Louisville" shows over the years, and I've really grown to dislike that spectacle and the unbearable crowds it attracts. But I've apparently been taking Louisville's fireworks show for granted, because the pyrotechnic display put on by Vegas was extremely weak by comparison. "Thunder" (even on TV) absolutely blows away the show on the Strip. And this year's show in Vegas was supposed to be huge in honor of the city's centennial. "Thunder" producer Wayne Hettinger and Zambelli Fireworks could really teach Vegas a thing or two (or 200). I can't believe I just said something nice about "Thunder Over Louisville."