into an event of cosmic proportions, and the grandest of excuses to celebrate the "once in a lifetime'' date with hitherto unknown extravagance.

Special events have been planned around the world, some of them huge and spectacular. Millions will be doing all manner of weird and wonderful things to greet the dawn of 2000, and a sea's worth of champagne will be quaffed in the process.

Small though Bermuda is, it beats with a heart as big and fun-loving as any major city in the world, so from one end of the Island to the other events are planned to ensure that those who don't opt for private parties will have a night -- and probably a hangover -- to remember.

But behind the majority's hoopla and exultant shouts of "Happy New Year,'' lies a different world, where men and women will be answering the call of duty. Separated from loved ones with not a chance of sharing the magic of the midnight hour, a glass of cheer, or even a hug and kiss, they will be balancing books, sweating it out in hot kitchens, waiting on chaotic tables, providing transportation, watching over vital emergency equipment to make sure the Y2K bug doesn't bite, treating injuries, and ensuring the public's safety.

This week Lifestyle's Nancy Acton talked to some of those for whom New Year's eve will be just an ordinary working night, and asked them how they felt about missing out on the celebrations. This is what they said.

For Emergency Room nurse Nicola Danslow New Year's eve -- her first since arriving here to join her boyfriend earlier this year -- will be anything but romantic. She anticipates that her 12-hour shift, which begins at 8 p.m., will be exceptionally busy dealing with the anticipated fall-out of excess celebration. Faced with the dilemma of carrying on partying alone, or coming to the Hospital's Emergency Department in the hopes of wishing his beloved a Happy New Year, Miss Danslow has advised her boyfriend to stay away.

"I've told him I could be out in the ambulance or in the middle of a resuscitation so he should carry on partying,'' the plucky nurse reveals.

"But he's taking his mobile phone with him so we can speak to each other at midnight.'' Since it will already be midnight in her native Britain when Miss Danslow clocks on, she plans to phone her parents immediately to wish them well before launching into the night's work. At midnight, duties permitting, she and her colleagues may be able to raise a non-alcoholic toast to the New Year "and pretend it's Dockyard''.

While Miss Danslow admits she is disappointed that she and her boyfriend cannot spend their first New Year's eve together, and she does feel sorry for him, she says that "it is part of the job''.

Nor will there be a postponed celebration on New Year's day.

"I'll probably collapse because we are flying to England to celebrate his mother's eightieth birthday, which is a surprise,'' she says.

For 18-year veteran of the Bermuda Fire Service, Lt. Lloyd Burchall New Year's eve and the crossover into 2000 rules out any thoughts of sharing the big night with his family.

"Since I am the Control Room supervisor, I have to be on duty because this is where all the 911 emergency calls come in,'' he explains. "While I am of two minds about spending my first New Year's eve apart from my family, and I thought I would like to be out enjoying myself, with Y2K I would like to be in a position where, if there are any problems, I can use my expertise to render assistance as quickly as possible.'' Admittedly, while the Fire Service is making provision for significant others to visit their on-duty partners at the Station, Lt. Burchall's wife Carolann won't be among them. Instead, she will be bringing in the New Year at her church in Southampton, where the couple's son is in a children's programme.

While Mrs. Burchall -- herself a part-time Emergency Room receptionist -- accepts the situation, she readily admits that she is less than happy about being separated from her husband.

"It's not nice because it's the only New Year like this that will ever come my way in my lifetime, and I had hoped we could be together,'' she says. "He did tell me earlier in the year that it was possible he would be working, but I don't feel very good about it.'' Even on New Year's day she is not sure her husband will be able to join her when she attends her brother's wedding at 9 a.m., and she begins work at the Hospital at 4 p.m.

Well-known musician Mr. Milton Robinson is another one who is less than thrilled about working on New Year's eve and missing out on being with his wife. Instead, he will be performing with Gandhi Burgess and Howard Lee at Tillie's restaurant in St. George's.

"It is a case of some fellows want to work, and have to work,'' he says. "I have never really enjoyed working on New Year's eve that much because it is a strain trying to entertain people who haven't been out all year and expect the musicians to do all the work. They don't realise it is a reciprocal thing, and they have to contribute. Of course, we always try to have fun when we entertain, and people look forward to being entertained, but they don't do anything to help.'' Given his druthers, the talented musician says he and his wife, both of whom have been working hard on renovations at their Pembroke guest house, would rather be sinking their feet into the warm sands of Brazil's famous Copocabana beach.

Drummer Howard Rego, on the other hand, is comfortable about working on New Year's eve for two reasons: 1. Revenuewise, it is the most important night of the year for local musicians, who experience very lean times between November and March at least, and 2. The Waterlot Inn, where Mr. Rego's group will be playing, is laying on full dinner with all the trimmings for the musicians and their significant others. Since Mr. Rego's girlfriend has come all the way from New Mexico to spend the holidays with him, he is pleased that they will be able to see in the year 2000 together.

"It makes it a little better,'' he says. "Normally, the musicians expect to have something to eat on New Year's eve, but this is special. In fact, I think it would be a good idea to allow all musicians to bring a guest on New Year's eve. We are normal human beings and have partners we would like to be with.'' In any case, Mr. Rego has never had a New Year's eve off, so he's "not too sad'' because he enjoys playing.

"While my girlfriend would prefer that I didn't have to work, we can have our New Year's for the next couple of months because I am free until March,'' he reasons.

For Stonington Beach Hotel night auditor William Darrell it will be a case of business as usual, despite the significance of the evening.

"I have been in the hospitality industry for 15 years and I am used to working on New Year's eve,'' he relates. "When one is professional -- meaning having the right attitude about yourself and your work -- then one doesn't mind working during the holidays.

"As night auditor, working New Year's eve is the busiest night of the year.

Being single makes it easier, although at times I have arranged for the children to be at the hotel for the night, and management has been sensitive to the family during that special evening.'' Even though he works in the back office, Mr. Darrell says that repeat guests, in particular, insist that he "come forward'' to join them in the midnight celebrations, which inevitably include someone shoving a glass in his hand to toast the New Year.

"So all is not lost and there is a celebration, even though the glass contains ginger ale,'' he assures.

Also taking his 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. shift philosophically is Bermuda Telephone Company telecommunications technician Winston Godwin , despite the fact that in his six years with the Company this is the first time he has drawn a New Year's eve shift.

"Although we weren't going anywhere anyway, I imagine my wife would have liked me to be home, but I'm not fussed about working,'' he says.

Like so many others watching out for Y2K problems, Mr. Godwin says his only focus will be overseeing vital equipment at BTC's nerve centre on Washington Street.

"I will be monitgoring three different switches at the same time: 29 pairs in Hamilton, 23 in Paget, and the MTX cellular ones, all of which will be on one screen, plus running the routine exercises,'' he explains. "We normally run different tests on different equipment at midnight anyway, so it will be business as usual for us.'' The fact that BTC normally provides refreshments for its New Year's eve workers will sweeten the vigil, and at midnight Mr. Godwin plans to call his wife.

Meanwhile, Royal Gazette photographer Ras Mykkal will be focusing on the celebrations at Dockyard, and particularly the shot that best sums up Bermuda's passage into the year 2000. Not being a party man, and with the lady he hopes to wed still in Jamaica, Mr. Mykkal is not at all fussed about working on such a special night.

Committed to their jobs "It's my job,'' he says. "My main concern will be trying to find the best positions to take the best shots which capture the atmosphere. I intend to get there very early.'' Acting assistant Police Commissioner Gertrude Barker is very excited about the important role she will be playing to ensure that everyone enjoys a safe and happy New Year's eve.

"I am `Gold Commander,' which means I am in overall charge of the Police operational order for the millennium/Y2K duties,'' she explains. "We determine where people will be working and who they will be working with that night. We have extra Police and Reserve officers on duty. More than likely I will be stationed at Operations, which will be the central focus and distribution of manpower and information.'' Acting Assistant Commissioner Barker anticipates she will be working from 5 p.m. until. While she is excited about her role, she admits that she will also miss the normal quiet celebration at her sister's home "a lot''. Like so many parents who are working that night, she will be separated from her children, but since they too are working she doesn't feel guilty.

"My oldest son will be helping on the production side at Dockyard, and my 15-year-old will be dancing in the In Motion millenniuim show at the same place,'' the proud mother relates. "While I will miss being up there with them, they understand that this is my job and my chosen profession, and what I have to do, so I don't have a problem with them.'' Instead, acting Assistant Commissioner Barker hopes that all of Bermuda will take so seriously their responsibilities to bring in the New Year safely and happily that she will have little to do.

Standing room only: Supreme Court One was jam packed with family and friends who came to congratulate Travis Lerone Herbert Gilbert on his recent call to the Bar.