It's the end of the year; the end of the century; the end of the millennium. It's also a bad time to be named Buck Rogers . . . or Hal. Hopefully, your parents were kind. But if you haven't already made plans for New Year's Eve, don't worry. It's not the end of the world.
Unless you're thinking about renting a movie.
You do not want to show up at the video store at 11:45 p.m. The clerks will be cranky and every copy of "When Harry Met Sally," will have already been checked out. Besides, Harry gets Sally. Sorry. But if you didn't know that, you really do need to get out tonight.
What follows is a list of events to celebrate the new millennium, as they begin throughout the day, up to the stroke of midnight, and even one that starts in the 21st century:
"Welcome in the New Year!" a blessing ceremony with Leon Kalili. 2-5 p.m. Learning Light Foundation, 1212 E. Lincoln Ave., Anaheim. (714) 533-2311.
A British New Year's Eve celebration, featuring Scottish bagpipes, will be held at the Olde Ship, 1120 W. 17th St., Santa Ana. 4 p.m. (714) 550-6700.
Missiles of October performs at an "Alternative New Year's Eve Party" in the Marine Room Tavern, 214 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach. 4-8 p.m. (949) 494-3027.
The Bayside Restaurant presents a dinner celebration, featuring the music of the Shelly Moore Trio. 900 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach. 5-8:30 p.m. $65. 8:30 p.m.-midnight. $85, includes party favors and dancing. (949) 721-1222.
Karaoke restaurant and bar Sing Sing features dueling pianos, a buffet, party favors and champagne. 5 p.m. Irvine Spectrum Center, 65 Fortune Drive. $25 to $55. (949) 453-8999.
The Crazy Horse Steak House features music all night with Gregg Topper, at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., and Fit to Be Tied from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. 71 Fortune Drive, Irvine. (949) 585-9000.
Berlin performs two shows at the Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 6:30 p.m. with Redshift. $25.; 10:30 p.m. with Dim. $50. (949) 496-8930.
"First Night Fullerton," an alcohol-free celebration, offers live entertainment, children's activities and fireworks. 7 p.m.-midnight. Historic Downtown Fullerton. Parking at Chapman Avenue and Lemon Street. Free. (714) 738-3167.
Knott's Berry Farm presents "Praise 2001," with music by Rebecca St. James, All Together Separate, Pax 217, Salvador, Stacie Orrico, Mark Shultz, Basix and the Bonner Singers. 7 p.m.-1 a.m. 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. $23 to $35. (818) 848-4496.
