Well, it certainly has been a HUGE year in the news….from politics to weather, to celebrity scandals to trends. 2011 has seen it ALL! It's been a year of great financial struggle for many, political struggle for some of our world neighbors, and personal struggle for many who lost loved ones this year. Let's recap:
TRIALS: Some of the most famous trials in history took place in 2011…..Casey Anthony, Amanda Knox and Dr. Conrad Murray to name a few, almost but not quite, rivaling the O.J. Simpson trial. Thankfully, none of the above were allowed to become the media circus the Simpson trial was.
POLITICAL UPRISINGS: It began with Tunisia, then Egypt, then the capture and killing of Libya's Moammar Kadafi (Gaddafi). Seems one of the biggest controversies surrounding that event has been how to spell his last name!! The intolerance for tyranny and dictatorship grew among the masses and great strides in the rebuilding of several world governments began this year.
SCANDALS: The public got its fodder all year long from early in the spring with the news of Arnold Schwarzenegger's love child, Lindsay Lohan's constant trouble with the courts, Charlie Sheen's antics, Anthony Weiner's well….Herman Cain's halt for the race to presidential party candidacy, and Alec Baldwin was the latest to join the "Kicked Off an Airplane" Club! Boy, would I be annoyed if I was an inconvenienced passenger!
MOST POPULAR BABY NAMES: Shockingly, Pippa, tops the baby girl name list! Then there are names like Everett, Asher, Flynn and Luna. What happened to Michael and Emma?? Boring, I guess.
MARRIAGES/DIVORCES: Prince William and Kate Middleton. Talk about media coverage! Still, in my opinion, it didn't compare to Prince Charles and Princess Di. This most recent wedding lacked the magic, the innocence and the mystery. I think we know too much and see too much. Takes the thrill out of it. Paul McCartney got married….AGAIN! I truly believe that man believes in love. I'm personally very happy for him! Kim Kardashian….really? You think THAT was a short marriage?? Recently, Sinead O'Connor, famous singer from the 90's, was only married 18 days before filing for divorce! "Nothing Compares To THAT!" Of course, too many divorces to mention but certainly the most shocking was Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore. As lovely a couple as they were, they were 15 years apart, HE being the younger one. Who saw THAT coming???
9/11 ANNIVERSARY: Ten years after 9/11, Obama announces the successful raid of Osama Bin Laden's digs, otherwise known as his luxury compound, and assassination of the most infamous face in the world. If that's a luxury compound by Pakistani standards, I'll keep my little old house in America, thank you very much. For many, this was a great feat and certainly helped those who suffered the loss of loved ones, heal that wound just a little bit more and get some level of satisfaction. Seems the television personalities reporting this historic news had a really hard time differentiating between the terrorist and our President….Obama, Osama. Oops! I felt their pain!
TEXT/INTERNET ABBREVIATIONS: With modern technology and the pace of everyday life these days, who has time for typing anything longhand??? Here are a few new abbreviations to hit the English language culture: LMAO – Laugh My A** Off, OMG – Oh My God, TTYL – Talk To You Later, BBL – Be Back Later, ROFL – Rolling On Floor Laughing, SYNT – See You Next Time!
DISASTERS: Certainly the most horrific this year was the Tsunami in Japan on March 13th, which claimed the lives of over 15,800 people. With modern technological capabilities came the most immediate, graphic and sophisticated footage as it unfolded. From across the world, we watched in disbelief, the power of nature, as it was happening. The Red Cross came to the country's aid and worked tirelessly to help survivors and clean up the massive destruction. One of the most heartwarming stories I remember was a dog that ended up floating out into the ocean atop a huge pile of debris, that was rescued after surviving two weeks at sea. THEN, the dog's owner happened to see the story on TV and she and her dog were reunited.
DEATHS: With the reflection of each year that passes comes the list of those who left their earthly existence. We lost many famous and influential people this year including Steve Jobs, Andy Rooney, Jack Kavorkian, Amy Winehouse, Clarence Clemens and Geraldine Ferraro, PLUS the 460 soldiers who lost their lives this year protecting our jobs, families and rights. We must never forget.
……….NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION…..TO MAKE ONE OR NOT TO MAKE ONE??
Of course, there are the most popular resolutions like, losing weight, quitting smoking, getting organized, drinking less, being more helpful to others, yada, yada. You could be a total rebel and vow to NOT make a resolution!
If you don't make one at all, you can't break it, right? With the new year being only 5 days away as I write this, I'm still struggling with making one or even what it would be. Too much pressure! With the end of one year brings the new hope for the coming year, and so I do hope 2012 is a good year for all, one of good health, prosperity, love and of course, a little fun!!! SYNT!!!
