What happens when you have airtight New Years Eve plans, coordinated with Danny Ocean-esque perfection right down to the minute Ryan Seacrest says "2007...out!" tonight?

For those of you just tuning in this afternoon, that's the question on more than a few people's minds.

The City of Portland has scheduled a parking ban for tonight beginning at 10 p.m.

Two hours short of 2008.

What that means in essence is that unless you've going to a party or club with a convenient parking lot or off-street parking, your plans may have just been put into flux.

Not since Y2K have so many people been freaking out over the start of a new year.

To play devil's advocate for a second, it would be easy to say that the ban is for people's safety and to ensure clear roads. What a sad bunch of bottle chasers you people that you can't see the need for that. Isn't it bad enough the city has to combat drunken driving, but drunken drivers on slick snow-covered roads?

On the other hand...it's New Years Eve! What drivers are going to be on the roads if they can't park at a party of a bar? What about the impact to local business? This is the one time of year bars and restaurants count on serious business in Portland, particularly the Old Port.

Unless the city has an about face, which would require more action than the easily ignored groans of disapproval on the Internets, people are going to need to get creative, and fast.

Option 1 - Taxis. As always (somewhat) reliable means of getting from Point A to Point B, and if you have enough people the price is not that bad.

Option 2 - Limos. Yeah, it's obnoxious and pretentious. Does anybody want to be the guy who spills out of the limo with the plastic top hat on and boxed champagne? Of course not, but, if you've got numbers, you probably have enough people to team up on the price of a stretch ride.

Option 3 - Sleds/Snow Machines/Cross Country Skis - This way you can work up the appetite to party, and your ride takes up less space than a car or truck.

Option 4 - Walk. This one is tough, especially when the weather does not cooperate. Look at it from a tactical standpoint - try and find a ban parking lot or lots (for friends coming in) and triangulate the best bar or club within walking distance.

Of course the other option here is to fight the power, bite the bullet and pray your car does not get towed in the time in takes you to ring in 2008 and run to your car.

Then again the flip side is to stay home and ring in the new year with whatever spirits you previously stockpiled, and put that NYE outfit to use this weekend.

With a little bit of planning, skill, luck and duct tape, you can make it to 2008 and not lose your wheels in the process.

If you need me...I'll be ringing in 2008 one hour later tonight here in the CST.

UPDATE

Power to the people - the will of the masses has been done, the city is pushing back the parking ban.

Here's the word from City Hall:

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