2013, ready or not

Okey-dokey, here we go. We did this last year too, so it’s worth a look back to see how it played out. My own predictions were a mixed bag, but I think I batted OK. I did predict Romney as the nominee and Obama as the winner. OWS faded from the MSM more than I expected, so I blew that one. I also predicted a continued sluggish economy, well hey, let’s call that one even. I totally nailed that the end-of-the-world thingy would be a bust, which was both bold and brilliant.

Fukushima remains uninhabitable, and it’s still an unholy and unstable mess, as I predicted. I also predicted continued unrest in places like Greece and Spain, as the economic bite continued, and that was indeed the case, though you sure wouldn’t know it by attending to the US media.

I have not perfected my baguette recipe, unhappily, but to compensate for that failing I have perfected my hamburger bun recipe, using three cheeses and a sourdough starter. Yes, they are dangerously good.

You guys did pretty good too; Kevin called the presidential election right on the money, while most of us thought it would be closer, I think. He also called for the d’s to regain control of the House, but that was just him being victimized by his naturally sunny disposition, so it’s no big deal.

Elaine was brilliant, as always, with the only 100% accuracy rate:

I predict that a famous person will die. Maybe even two of them. Summer will see a pattern of weather markedly different from that of winter, potentially warmer.

Someone who can’t sing will make millions pretending to do just that. Many Americans will see the reelection of Obama as marking the end of the world.

If it really is the end of the world Keith Richards will survive.

Astonishing. I have no clue how she does it.

Madame predicted an influx of quality foodstuffs at her local food bank, and that AVoiceFromAmerica would become even more insufferably pompous. The first I cannot verify independently, though I’m confident it happened, but the second I sure as hell can.

Okay, 2013. Whassup?

1. Obama will continue to be the most consequential republican President since godknows when. The consequences will be disagreeable.

2. Gun control legislation will be promoted, and may even pass. It will be silly, and not affect gun sales unduly, nor have any measurable influence on crazy people going, well, crazy.

2. We will remain incapable, politically, of addressing a different energy/resource future. Fracking will continue to be unstoppable, more water problems will emerge therefrom, and will be explained away as being from something else. Something normal.

3. Fukushima and the immediate area surrounding it will remain uninhabitable, even if there is no further seismic activity to dislodge the precariously balanced, and still full, fuel pools. If there is, well, let’s not even go there.

4. It will continue to be illegal in South Carolina for the ocean levels to rise, or at least illegal to talk about it in any official documents. The ocean, not having been properly briefed, will be uncooperative.

5. The Eurozone economic jumble will clarify somewhat and spread, and, I kid you not, Brother Berlusconi may yet rise from the politically dead in Italy. Why? Well, because it’s  Italy, that’s why.

6. I will continue the quest for the perfect baguette. It’s very difficult, and I’m not confident, but I shall persevere.

8. 9thousandfeet peppermills will become treasured collector’s pieces. Advance orders are already pouring in, and have been noted. This is a Good Thing, the significance of which is impossible to calculate.

Meanwhile, all the very best wishes for each of our hardy band of misfits here. Thanks for being you, and for being here.

Blessings.