The Year in Pictures

The year is coming to a close, and with it comes one of my favorite items: The International Herald Tribune's (basically the New York Times) Year in Pictures, posted here: http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/photo/2010-year-in-pictures/

I fancy myself to be a fairly decent photographer, but  I really admire the work done by some of the paper's photographers. Not only are the photos impressive, but they also allow for one to reflect what has taken place around the World throughout the year.

Some of the notable events this year were: The devastating earthquake in Haiti, the British Petroleum oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Icelandic volcano blast that caused travel chaos around Europe, the FIFA World Cup in South Africa (Africa's first World Cup), the trapped Chilean miners, floods in Pakistan,  forest fires in Russia, the mid-term elections in the U.S. and the North Korean shelling of a South Korean island.

With the exception of the World Cup, not many of the headline-grabbers this year were really positive. Though the Chilean miners all coming out alive was of course a good and happy ending. I am hoping the new year will bring some more positive news, like "Bill Clinton on 'Dancing with the Stars'"!! Though, with the ever increasing hostility between North and South Korea looking to spill over into the new year, I think Mr. Clinton will probably be over in the Far East doing some mediating, and not dancing with some has-been actors and sport-stars (That show had Michael Bolton and Mario Lopez on there...I rest my case). The Ivory Coast looks like its about to implode into civil war (yep, again), still 9.6% unemployment in the United States, no real end in site for the war in Afghanistan, a junta still in control in Myanmar, riots in Greece and Italy....2011 is shaping up to be a real cream-puff folks.

Maybe Arsenal will actually win a trophy at the end of season.....