Year in Review

Alrighty, it is officially the last day of 2006. Granted it is still the wee hours of the morning where I live, but it still counts. No big plans for New Year's Eve, just hanging out with good friends. Just for fun, I thought I'd salute the past year's events. It was definitely a year to remember, eh?

In the world of entertainment, we had quite baby boom. Following in Angelina Jolie's footsteps, Madonna adopted a baby boy from Malawi. With the royal arrivals of such little princesses as Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, Suri Cruise, and Violet Affleck, we are in serious need of some little princes in 2007 so they can hook up in 20 years. I guess I am leaving out little Jayden James Spears Federline, but considering his lineage he has a bit of an uphill battle in his future if he's to overcome his mommy and daddy's shadow. Maybe Julia Roberts will give birth to a set of twin boys.

There was also lots of matchmaking and breaking up as several couples played the love game. Tom and Katie tied the knot Scientology-style, Brad and Angelina globe-trotted, and many more. There seemed to lots of couples that headed for splitsville such as Whitney and Bobby (finally!), Britney and K-Fed, Kate Hudson and Chris Robinson, and Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn (I had hoped that one would last). There are too many to list here, but you get the idea.

There were so many fascinating things that transpired, from Anna Nicole Smith's soap opera life to the ongoing sagas of club-hopping, quickly vanishing divas (a.k.a. Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Nicole Ritchie, and so on). Taylor Hicks won American Idol, while a former Idol was nominated from a Golden Globe (Jennifer Hudson)! Mel and Kramer became revealed their inner bigot. The View played musical chairs as Meredith stepped in for Katie Couric, and Star was out and Rosie was in. A former child star from Kids Incorporated! hit it big in the form of "Fergalicious." Justin Timberlake brought "Sexy Back."

Food Network star, Rachel Ray, got her due in the form of her own mainstream daytime show, with a little help from Oprah. Dr. Phil continued to tell people like it is, especially when the issues are as devastating as not being able to trust your husband because he shoved a piece of wedding cake into your face 26 years ago (Puleeeeaaase people! Get over it already.). Hef turned 80 years old with a little help from his Girls Next Door. Of course I am leaving out so many delicious stories, but all's you have to do is tune into E!

As for the rest of the world, it was an extraordinary year. The US continued its tour of duty in a country that is still in shambles and ended the year with the execution of Saddam. Bush continued his evasive maneuvers when asked for a timetable or about our purpose abroad. I have to hand it to the guy, he sure sticks to his maverick ways and does not waiver. That could become his legacy or his downfall, only time will tell. kMaybe next year he'll have some new strategies to save the Iraqi people from further bloodshed and our troops can begin their journey home. One very noteworthy governmental change was when Rumsfeld stepped down after a controversial run as Director of Homeland Security.

Among many other national stories, school shootings returned to the headlines with a number of horrific killings. Perhaps the most disturbing of them was the massacre at a a schoolhouse in the heart of Amish country, Lancaster County. Like so many other terrible crimes, this one made no sense at all and thrust the quiet culture of the Amish into the national media spotlight. Needless to say, this will haunt many people for years to come, but in the Amish tradition...they have already forgiven the gunman and asked for mercy on his soul. Now that is a culture of people that truly adheres to the teachings of the Lord.

There are so many things about 2006 that will stick with us long after the ball drops tonight Times Square. One of the most telling signs that the "times they are a changin'" is the passing of the torch from Dick Clark to Ryan Seacrest. It will be interesting to see what 2007 has in store for us. To all, I wish you the happiest of new years and may you sing "Auld Lang Syne" with all of your might. Cheers!