2007.….

I hate it, but it’s time.. We review ‘the claims to fame’ for the year….

Lisa Mari Nowak drove from Houston, TX to Florida, wearing a diaper so she didn’t have to stop - to confront Capt. Collee Shipman in an Orlando airport parking lot and then pepper spray her. In a love triangle, Shipman was dating the apple of Nowak’s eye, astronaut Bill Oefelein.

Anna Nicole Smith’s accidental drug overdose kills her.

Massacre at Virginia Tech kills 33.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows concludes “"The scar had not pained Harry for nineteen years. All was well." The book sold eleven million copies in the first 24 hours… I too, if I were J.K. Rowling would take off… party like Nikki Sixx

Barry Bonds becomes the all-time home run leader. ‘taint that great?

Senator Larry Craig arrested for playing ‘footsie’, announces resignation from the United States Senate. Really sad to “leave his buddies (buddy’s?) behind.”

Michael Vick admits to bankrolling a dog fighting operation, and to the killing of eight dogs. The Atlanta Falcons would like for him to return $20 million of a signing bonus they recently gave him. Twenty-three months in jail to boot.

The Jena Six. Oh Lord, is it really 2006-2007? I’m not the expert, but paraphrasing what I’ve read - a black student asked an administrator if it was Ok to sit under a tree previously reserved for “white’s only” (I barely remember shit like that in the late 50’s)… Approved.. Soon, whites placed three hangmen’s noose’s over the tree… Some, not sure how many, blacks retaliated by beating up white student. The white students received in school suspension, the black students were charged with beating the white student. Mychal Bell, the only member of the “Jena Six” who was tried, initially had his convictions set aside. He was originally charged with attempted murder, but the charges were subsequently reduced and he was convicted of aggravated battery and conspiracy. Both overturned as he should have been tried as a juvenile, not an adult. In December of 2007, Bell pled guilt to a reducted charge of battery. Sentenced to 18 months. I’m very sad I’m writing this and it’s 2007. Why can’t we be friends, why can’t we be friends.

SoCal fires leave 14 dead.

Al wins Nobel prize for Global Warming fight. Read about it here on his internet.

Mortgage financial crisis. Housing prices, obviously, dropped between 2006-2007. “Teaser” ARM loans were given out, hopeful of a rebounding market. That ain’t happened. As a result, adjustable rate mortgages (monthly payment amounts) have gone thru the roof, and by October of 2007, roughly 16% of subprime loans with ARM’s were 90 days into default, or foreclosure.

Ifya ain’t depressed, I’m impressed… There was good shit that happened too….

US Cancer death rates continue to fall for men, women and children.

Bald Eagles, hell yes! Endangered in 1963 with only 417 pairs remaining, happy to announce there are 11,.040 pairs today. Thank goodness for Hotel California, One of These Nights, Desperado, Witchy Woman and Peaceful Easy Feeling. Soar Eagles, soar.

Americans coffed up a record amount ($300 billion) for charity… primarily due to Katrina, Rita, Wilma and the Asian tsunami.

No nukes in North Korea. Almost a year after North Korea tested an atomic weapon, the nation’s leader pledged to permanently shutdown nuclear operations by year’s end and pursue peace with South Korea.

Hope for Darfur… The UN Security Council voted to send peacekeepers to the war-ravaged Darfur region of Sudan in August, after months of wrangling. Up to 26,000 troops and police make up the world’s largest peacekeeping force, with a majority of blue helmets being worn by Africans from nations like Kenya. Additionally, a major discovery by Boston University researchers may prevent further violence in the future. Using satellite imaging, they have discovered a massive underground lake in the arid Darfur region of Sudan. By digging 1000 wells, they hope to solve the problems of water scarcity - and food shortages - that create much of the violence in the first place.

Whew. After reading all that crap. All, very tense. I’m spent. Here’s hoping we help to create a better 2008. Hey that rhymed. Victor, dammit, go to bed. You’re sposedta be on vacation. Take a break from this blog too eh?

I hope 2007 was a nifty year for you. I, personally, rank it in the bottom third of my life - but, we know I throw pity parties, so the view could be slightly slanted! I’m alive and in love with the thought, create a better 2008.

Love, Victurd