A lot of things happened in 2011, and I wouldn’t pretend to do a year in review type column, because frankly, it would take a lot of work to do it well. I’m more comfortable picking and choosing a topic here and there.
For starters, two weeks ago I ended up on an elevator at the Seattle airport with Danny Glover. It was an odd experience for several reasons. First, it took me a minute to figure out who he was. Second, he looked as wiped out from his flight as I was from mine. Third, he was wearing these silly shoes with all the toes in different colors.
I think he’s a good actor, and while I disagree with much of what he’s said and done over the years (saying the Haiti earthquake was caused by global warming), I think he is a true humanitarian who works very hard for the causes that are important to him.
We got a granddaughter this year. Not Mr. Glover and I, just to be clear. That was a new experience, and so far a very nice one, though she isn’t yet old enough to try to borrow money, so maybe these are the easy times.
Around the world some bad guys were killed, died, or removed from power. Only time will tell whether who and what replaces them will be better or worse, but even though it feels wrong to be happy about someone’s death, we can be happy that they won’t hurt anyone anymore.
My appendix gave out in 2011. I don’t miss it much, though I think I’ve grown closer to my gall bladder, since it’s my only useless organ left. I also had some atypical moles removed – not the kind that burrow into the ground – and some plumbing done on some veins in one leg. Aging is just one exciting adventure after another!
Wall Street was occupied by some people who believed very strongly in something, but didn’t provide a statement as to exactly what it was until the second day of the occupation. A wonderful photo which appeared to show a man pooping on a police car made two parents very proud indeed.
A number of people were electrocuted this year while attempting to steal copper wire from various buildings and streetlights. At least they weren’t charged with anything. Oh wait… I guess they WERE charged.
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management learned that it had sent $120 million in benefits to dead retired employees last year, and for each of the five years previous. One son of a deceased employee kept cashing checks for 37 years, and was only discovered when he died.
It was surprising that the Packers made it to the Super Bowl in 2011, and terrific that they won! This year they seem like a shoe-in, so I guess they probably won’t make it. Life is ironic like that sometimes.
But, before you can know about the Super Bowl, you have to survive New Year’s Eve, so party prudently! I need all the readers I can get!
