Year in Review: 2012

In late 2011, I made some guesses about what would occur in 2012.  I'm a little bit late with this review of 2012 but who cares?  Let's see how it all turned out!

1. The Eurozone does not fall apart. (They're just being dramatic.)

Whether the Germans like it or not, the Eurozone lives to see another year.  But as usual, the worrisome Europeans are predicting another "troubling year ahead".  As I write, I can overhear a BBC reporter on the TV talking about fears that the UK will pull out of the Eurozone.  Honestly guys, get your $*%@ together and move on.  It's probably not as bad as you think!

2. The US economy improves and Obama gets in for a second term (WAHOO!).

My faith in America (and Americans) was restored in early November when Barack Obama was re-elected.  Even more satisfying was the fact that it turned out to be quite a definitive win over Republican Mitt Romney.    And it's true -- the economy is doing way better than when he first came into office.  The Dow Jones is about 6,000 points higher!

3. Aftershocks continue in Christchurch unfortunately and a volcano starts to come up under the Banks Peninsula, which explains all of it.

Smaller earthquakes have continued in Christchurch -- see this Christchurch earthquake site if you're interested.  None of these seem to make it into the Wellington news though so hopefully they aren't too disruptive to the people in Canterbury.  That said, my prediction isn't totally correct as no volcano has been spotted!  Phew!

4. Iran starts an incident in the Middle East.

Thankfully, Iran did not start an incident in the Middle East in 2012 although the country continues to brag about its nuclear endeavors.  As far as I'm concerned, nuclear should be made "so last century".  The big news in the Middle East is of course Syria, where the horrifying humanitarian disaster continues unabated.  As a species, humans continue to shock and awe me with the pain they inflict on each other.  Between the Syrian situation and the shootings in the US, you've really got to wonder: WTF is wrong with us?

5. Someone hits their head on a diving board at the London Olympics.

Onto less serious subjects.  The London Olympics were a great success.  As far as I know, there were no heads hit on diving boards -- however there was one very funny (poor guy!) springboard diving blooper this year.

6. Everyone continues to eat fish as if they grew on trees.  Worldwide fish stocks continue to be decimated.  Please -- think of Nemo and have chicken instead!

Sadly, this is true.  An article on the BBC suggests that 85% of global fish stocks are over-exploited.  Now I love fish as much as the next but we have got to start reducing our consumption whilst managing global fish stocks more responsibly.  Honestly, do we really want to be the generation that wiped the oceans clean of fish?  I can't be associated with something like that!

7. Kate Middleton gets pregnant.

Well we all know what happened there -- but who would have guessed it was connected with the death of a nurse by radio prank?  Silly Australians.

So what do I think will happen in 2013?

1. Wacky weather continues all over the planet.  Idiots all over the globe continue to purport that they have nothing to do with climate change.  Arctic sea ice shrinks even further.
2. Gun control laws are changed in the United States to limit the sale of assault weapons; school shootings reduce in number.
3. The global economy does reasonably well and both my parents retire.
4. Kiwis continue to leave NZ in large numbers for better opportunities in Australia.  (Thanks John, for developing no strategies whatsoever to keep educated kiwis in the country.  I love your long term thinking!)
5. Prince Phillip dies, the Queen steps down, and Charles abdicates to Prince William.
6. The Eiffel Tower is blown to bits by Islamic terrorists.
7. A new flu sweeps across the planet.  Let's call it... Rodent Flu.

Good luck surviving this "13" year everyone!