Personally, 2011 brought on a little of everything. Some good, some bad and some downright ugly. But as with the passing of every day/year thus far, I remain perpendicular to the grave and made able to fight the good fight. It would be selfish of me to wish for a better year, so I won't. But, if one is out there, I will happily accept any invitation to take part.
In 2011.....
The world watched as an earthquake ripped into Japan, measuring up around 9.0 on the Richter Scale, making it the largest quake recorded to hit Japan, EVER. The ensuing tsunami's caused by the quake made a horrible situation much worse, sending twenty four foot waves crashing into the coast. A nearby nuclear facility sustained damaged to it's reactors, causing the cores to crack and in turn, explode. The repercussions will likely be felt for some time.
Tornado's and flooding wreaked havoc in Missouri and Alabama, destroying everything in area's hardest hit. My father in law went to the area as part of a Missions group, and was awestruck at the amount of damage endured.
Ninety two people died in Oslo, Norway as a result of car bombs/shootings. Anders Breivik admitted to orchestrating these senseless and cowardly acts.
Notable people/mutants/unicumans kicked the proverbial bucket. Here are some of the more notable passing's..
TYRANTS
Osama Bin Laden - Of the three listed here, I would imagine that Osama was public enemy number one, that is, until he was relieved from the burden of breathing in May. S.E.A.L. Team 6 made made sure of that.
Kim Jong-Il - Ding dong, as I have affectionately referred to him as, bought it on or around the 19th of December, to an apparent "heart attack." It just goes to show you, that even the blackest of hearts is no contest when comparing it to a well placed sniper round from a needle gun. (Conspiracy Theorists, Unite!)
Moammar Gadhafi - A thorn in the side of the U.S. for years, Moammar was handed a dirt nap (literally) by a group of freedom fighters that took matters into their own hands. It seems that even power mongering douche bags can take their role way too far, before falling at the hands of fellow countrymen that had had enough.
Jack Kevorkian - Doctor that placed assisted suicide in the limelight. Depending on your stance concerning the right/wrong nature of his 'practice'. It made the public examine whether or not assisted suicide was morally wrong.
CELEBRITIES
Steve Jobs - Founder & CEO of Apple. Although at times, I poked fun at Steve Jobs, I was saddened by his passing. He was a pioneer of sorts and the things that he did not invent, were made better because of him.
Joe Frazier - Professional boxer who took part in some of the most memorable fights in heavyweight boxing history against Muhammad Ali & George Foreman. In fact, Frazier only lost four fights throughout his career: two times to Ali & two times to Foreman.
Andy Rooney - '60 Minutes' comment-er that shared his opinion on an array of topics towards the end of each show.
Dan Wheldon - Indy car driver that died during the final race of the season. A proponent in the fight to make racing safer, Mr. Wheldon left behind a wife and children. He was only 33.
Mario Poffo - A.K.A. Randy Macho Man Savage. W.W.F. wrestling superstar at the peak of the sports popularity and the original snapper of the Slim Jim.
Elizabeth Taylor - Legendary actress and hottie extraordinaire. I cannot tell you what all she had done that gained her an overwhelming popularity, but the only way that life could pass you by without your not hearing of her in one capacity or another, would be if you lived under a rock.
In summary, a whole truck load of bad juju took place and left a rather bleak picture of what may be coming if things don't change. There are happy stories that need be shared and I will do so on a future post, so as not to bore you for any longer needed.