Ice Carvings

(Note: This was supposed to be an epilogue for the previous post but then it took a life of its own. ) 2012 is purported to be the End of the World. Of course, some other dates were purported to be the end of the world, but hey, here we are. Why aren't you enjoying life instead of reading this blog? For generations past, there were a couple of non-specific end-of-the-world songs that would probably be a nice accompaniment while your world was literally crumbling down. REM had a catchy doomsday song, "It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" which alludes to a world (at least their world) spinning madly out of control. U2 was all emo-love gloom with their "Until the End of the World" ballad. Of course, there are countless others, and each seemed to symbolize what to do or how to look back when the sky is falling in front of you. As for 2012, I really hope it doesn't lead to Armageddon if only for the background music. It would be

Happy New Year! Here's to another round of promises, resolutions, and optimistic assessments as we look at 2012 as the year the wheel turns upward. Here's to critical thinking fueled by countdown champagne on things you'd like to change about yourself for the better. Apart from the usual suspects like fitness, diet, exercise, and work attitude, I got the inspiration for this year's mantra from a Youtube surfing session with my son. Tyring desperately to get him to sleep, I looked for a couple of vids that are entertaining, eductional and would hold both our interest. The answer: Sesame Stree classic videos. What hit me hardest was Ernie's enchanting ditty about going far away: Well, I'd like to visit the moon On a rocket ship high in the air Yes, I'd like to visit the moon But I don't think I'd like to live there Though I'd like to look down at the earth from above I would miss all the places and people I love So although I might like