tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680602048847357735.post3388937696086886669..comments2024-03-27T02:51:33.336-07:00Comments on Finding Myself in Hoboken: Reflections on the Passing of a YearMary Loishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515655542270431289noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680602048847357735.post-79602742300222771392009-12-30T07:17:16.077-08:002009-12-30T07:17:16.077-08:00Oh, and can I add (superficial person that I can b...Oh, and can I add (superficial person that I can be) that I was a bit sad about Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins?sueNaustinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17237441296437071273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680602048847357735.post-24467538096837596502009-12-30T06:49:35.541-08:002009-12-30T06:49:35.541-08:00How can you not reflect on the passing year with a...How can you not reflect on the passing year with a passing recognition of the successes, failures, disappointments. But otherwise it is a blur and sometimes I register surprise when I see these year-end specials and I think, Oh that happened this year? Because it seems so long ago - especially, the wonderful inauguration. But at the same time so much bad stuff rose up like an ugly pox.<br /><br />I am thankful I have survived so far the horrible economic times, but I will be glad to say goodbye to this year!Sue Annnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680602048847357735.post-2774892002175668042009-12-29T12:53:42.869-08:002009-12-29T12:53:42.869-08:00Nothin' lasts forever. I'm, however, refle...Nothin' lasts forever. I'm, however, reflecting on the passing of the decade. It started off with the Y2K hysteria which thankfully turned out to be much ado about nothing. 2000 also brought us the election of GWB. 2001, along with the inauguration, brought the death of a loved family member, the death of Dale Earnhardt and the events in September, which pretty much defined the rest of this lousy decade. And you're right about President Obama, ML. So many people thought that His election and ascendancy into office would be just the pixie dust needed. Sorry, folks, even for Him, it's just not that easy.<br /><br />Tomorrow, I'm going to find a nice place to smoke my final cigar of the decade. This cigar, as it turns out, will also be the last cigar I legally smoke in public in NC. Big Government trumps Big Tobacco it seems. As the "public service" ads read, "we can all breathe easier now."<br /><br />Happy New Year, and Cheers!Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00807012460779756615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680602048847357735.post-15815924221351416132009-12-29T12:53:32.554-08:002009-12-29T12:53:32.554-08:00Well, OK about that last sentence. I didn't re...Well, OK about that last sentence. I didn't really believe it anyhow.Benedict S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/18319073770437347659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680602048847357735.post-1487341205258728672009-12-29T11:35:50.660-08:002009-12-29T11:35:50.660-08:00I agree that everyone has not given up on Obama--c...I agree that everyone has not given up on Obama--certainly I haven't--but I do think that many came to believe he was capable of the impossible (after all, he defeated a Clinton, didn't he?) and to have expectations it would have been impossible for any mere mortal to meet. Given that, that he didn't "change everything" in his first year has made him a target from his Left and his Right. This made the whole year a disappointment, even though by its end, the ship appears to be righting.<br /><br />I hope this post doesn't dwell overmuch on death itself. It's something we elders contemplate with ever birthday, and every New Year's Day, but we also know that it is the one fact of life, and not to be <i>feared</i> any more than the others.<br /><br />Like your penultimate sentence, Benedict. Better than your last one.Mary Loishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01515655542270431289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680602048847357735.post-12586217516716412142009-12-29T11:08:03.532-08:002009-12-29T11:08:03.532-08:00Those who were aware that the problems facing our ...Those who were aware that the problems facing our country would not be solved by speech making, but rather by pragmatic action, were not so disillusioned as perhaps some others might have been. We voted for Obama because we thought he was better equipped than his opponent to handle the difficulties. <br /><br />Bernie Madoff stands as a reminder of the swindler's maxim: I can't cheat an honest man. One cannot expect something for nothing without lying to oneself.<br /><br />Death ain't nuthin' to be feared. Anyone who has enjoyed the absolute silence that follows a fainting spell must wonder with me, if this is the feel of death how can it be so widely feared.<br /><br />Biggest surprise of the year: I keep waking up every morning. I have certainly outlived my usefulness.<br /><br />Happy New YearBenedict S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/18319073770437347659noreply@blogger.com