2010, again...

January 12... The Haitian Earthquake devastated the island of Haiti with a 7.0 magnitude that shook the nation to its core.

In a few hours, the Port Au Prince capital was dilapidated and more than a million people became homeless; an estimated 230,000 died in the disaster.

Sacred buildings were reduced to rubble, and a lack of resources affected the population’s health, contributing to a massive outbreak of Cholera.

Humanitarian aid began flowing into the country within hours of the quake, however it was not enough to prevent rioting in the economically ravaged nation and the country has a long road ahead to restoration.

January 17 Liberty, Missouri man exits the Community Center after nice workout. Will be final exit there in the year 2010 in spite of the fact he still drives by it nightly en route home from work, and still forks over $23 per month to maintain active status. "One day I'll go back." Uh huh, sure.

February 19.. It all started when Tiger’s SUV crashed into a tree near his Orlando home. After word of Tiger Woods cheating on his wife Elin Nordegren broke in November of 2009, his wholesome image came tumbling down. Woods went into hiding and the public didn’t hear from him for months, until he made his public apology in February of 2010, a press conference that his estranged wife did not attend.

"I know I have bitterly disappointed all of you," Woods said. "For all that I have done, I am so sorry.”

February.. mighta been March.. mebbe even April.. Old fart from Liberty, Missouri joins Facebook begrudgingly... learns.. "wow... pretty cool.. I can see/visit, diss even, family, coworkers, fraternity brothers, HS classmates, former coworkers.. nice!"

April 20... an offshore floating oil rig exploded, killing 11 workers. The explosion sparked a three month oil leak that reached the shores in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. The spill effected wild life, killing sea creatures and spurred animal rescue missions to clean birds and other animals that were covered in oil.

Many industries including seafood restaurants, hotel tourism and others lost business because of the fear associated with the oil spill and contamination in food supply. The leak was not stopped until July 15, and studies on the effect of the oil spill are ongoing.

April 23rd.. On April 23, despite disapproval from the White House, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed SB 1070, a largely controversial immigration law, requiring police officers to detain people they suspect are in the country illegally, and makes it a misdemeanor crime to not carry immigration papers.

The law drew criticism from the Hispanic community, saying that this method encouraged racial profiling. Governor Brewer claimed the federal government had waited too long for immigration reform.

July 30-31.. A hunnerd some localites, ages fitty-seven to fitty-nine gather for camaraderie, cheers, war stories. I actually hate the ones that haven't changed in looks the last forty years. jk... kinda.

August 7.... Aug 7, 33 miners were reported missing in a Chilean mine collapse.

August 9, JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater was so frustrated, he literally jumped ship, quitting his job by jumping out of a flying plane.

Slater reportedly got on the public address system, claimed he had just been called an obscenity by a passenger, grabbed two beers, and deployed the emergency shoot.

He was arrested at his Queens home hours later. Slater avoided jail by coming to a plea deal in October.

August 14th.. some old fart guy playing in a Liberty Old Man's softball league strikes out for the first time in 37 years of playing slowpitch. He's GOT to give that crap up.

October 13...October 13, after nearly 70 days trapped below the earth in a Chilean mine, all 33 miners were rescued through a tiny capsule taken like an elevator up a narrow shaft.

All 33 were deemed in good condition, one man got treated for pneumonia. The miners became instant celebrities. A publishing house plans to print their story and a movie may be in the works.

November: Rhode Island elects first openly gay Congressman David Cicilline

December 25... Santa comes.. Gotta see both nieces.. of course son, gf.. 11:30pm drive to Hospital with them turned up only Braxton Hicks. Wasn't looking for "him", was looking for Aubrie Schultze.

Entertainment goodies: Kathyrn Bigelow breaks a barrier - first woman to win Oscar for Best Director.. As The World Turns stopped turning after 54 years.. "Lost" ends.. "Twilight: Eclipse" grosses $693 million.. Heidi Montag, after 10 plastic surgeries, says "huh uh, no more... "I wish I could jump into a time machine and take it all back. Instead, I'm always going to feel like Edward Scissorhands." John Lennon now gone 30 years, wow. The whole Jay Leno/Conan O'Brien flip flop switch network return thingy...

Winner winner chicken dinner: Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco Giants, Alabama Crimson Tide, Duke Blue Devils,

Geek firsts... First truly synthetic organism created.. 3D TV... First commercially available Jet Pack.. Space tourism... iPad... Solar powered spacecraft... Justin Bieber..

We lost: Sparky Anderson, Manute Bol, Tom Bosley, Jill Clayburgh, Gary Coleman, Robert Culp, Tony Curtis, Elizabeth Edwards, Alexander Haig, Corey Haim, Dennis Hopper, Lena Horne, Rue McLanahan, Patricia Neal, Leslie Nielsen, Merlin Olsen, Fess Parker, Elizabeth Post, Lynn Redgrave, JD Salinger, Erich Segal, George Steinbrenner, Bobby Thompson, Stewart Udall, John Wooden.. and sadly, many, many more.

In closing... to simply "be here" at the end of another year is a very good thing. Joe Namath usedta say "I can't wait for tomorrow, cause I get better looking every day." Nomme. "I can't wait for tomorrow, 'cause IT gets better looking every day, and I'm more appreciative of each and every calendar spin. Love, Victurd.