Goodbye 2012

Mykonos in Winter

It’s almost 2013.  As for the soon to be bye-bye 2012, about all I can think to say at the moment is we made it past 12.21.12.  Apocalyptic fashion fans need not fret, though, because I’m sure a new and improved end is in sight.  After all, the aluminum foil industry has far too much invested in those funny hats to let that market slide away without a fight. 

Those in the know prefer aluminum foil.

My personal choice for the new end date is 11.4.14.  Catchy, don’t you think?  It will play well on tee shirts and buttons.  And for the biblically inclined, Genesis 11.4.14 falls amid the story of Babel and the Lord’s decision that the people of the earth should not be able to communicate with one another, which ties in nicely to the revelation that 11.4.14 is the next chance Americans will have to vote on who will comprise their babbling House of Representatives.  Fire up the bauxite production, folks, for as the famous line goes, “There she blows!”

But all that’s too far away to worry about now.   Besides, it’s not as if America is about to drag the world off a cliff or something.   So, let’s kick back with some photos I selected from in an article published in The Atlantic by Alan Taylor titled, “Christmas Time Around the World.”  And a special thanks to NYC radio host Bill Buschel for bringing the article to my attention.

Crested Butte, Colorado (AP/Nathan Blow)

Liverpool (Reuters/Phil Noble)

Rio de Janeiro (AP/Felipe Dana)

India (Reuters/Sivaram V)

Washington, DC (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Ivory Coast (Sla Kambou/AF/Getty Images)

Manila (Reuters/Romeo Ronoco)

Vancouver (Reuters/ Andy Clark)

Newtown, Connecticut (Reuters/Mike Segar)

Here’s wishing us all a better world in 2013.

Jeff—Saturday

2012

I hope 2012 is better than 2011, which for me and many of my friends has been one to forget.  Illnesses, injuries, deaths, weird financial happenings, and so on.

At the same time, as my visiting Dutch friend appropriately pointed out this evening, my friends and I are incredibly privileged.  We have the education and financial means to approach adversity with optimism for a real solution.  Most people can’t say that.

I spend some considerable time each year trying to reconcile my good fortune with the desperate lot of so many others, many of whom live close by.  I keep seeking ways to help and have long ago decided that trying to make a difference to many is an impossible task.  So I try to help a few individuals I know and to whom I can relate and talk. 

Every day I remind myself how lucky I am, lucky to have had parents who believed in a good education, lucky to have so often found myself at the right place at the right time, lucky to have a group of friends and relatives who care.  And I am so lucky to have stumbled after my retirement on a writing career that has far exceeded my wildest hopes and which has brought me into touch with a wonderful cadre of readers and writers. 

My participation in the Murder is Everywhere blog is especially enjoyable and rewarding – and humbling, as I look at the quality of my fellow bloggers’ writing.  Plus it is difficult for me to imagine a nicer and more caring group of people.

I wish you all a very happy 2012.  I hope you have a very healthy year and one that you can look back on with pleasure and satisfaction.

Thank you all for your support.

Stan - Thursday