Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? No, it's time to again review the things I wanted to have happen this year, and consider some things I would like to see happen in 2019. As usual, we start with the prior year's list, with comments in ALL CAPS:
-The failure of Bitcoin, not as an idea, but as an investment.
BITCOIN'S SHARE PRICE WENT FROM OVER $15,000 TO UNDER $4,000. THESE DAYS, IT'S AN AFTERTHOUGHT.
-An NCAA scandal so large they will have to start allowing players a cut of revenues.
THERE WAS/IS A RATHER LARGE SCANDAL RELATED TO SHOE COMPANY REPS GETTING MONEY TO DIRECT AMATEUR BASKETBALL PLAYERS TO CERTAIN SCHOOLS. BUT SO FAR IT'S ONLY LED TO A FEW COACHES BEING FIRED.
-More destinations and ways to fly on Southwest Airlines.
WELL, THEY ADDED A DIRECT DES MOINES - PHOENIX FLIGHT.
-A widespread ability to charge devices without a cord (also asked for this for 2016).
NOPE.
-A new governor / lieutenant governor elected for Iowa.
IT LOOKED LIKE THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE A SURPRISING DISAPPOINTMENT.
-Let's try this -- exponential growth in the cannabis industry to the extent all states will want a piece of it through taxation.
ALMOST READY TO SAY THIS HAPPENED. [I JUST COVERED THIS IN MY LAST POST.]
-Greater national and international awareness of CRISPR (genome editing) technology.
THERE HAVE BEEN MORE NATIONAL STORIES ABOUT THIS.
-Smaller entree portions served in restaurants, for a reduced price.
THE PORTIONS MAY HAVE GOTTEN LARGER.
-Fewer national weather disasters, but more understanding of climate change.
ANOTHER ITEM THAT MOVED FARTHER AWAY FROM HAPPENING, NOT CLOSER.
-The resignation or impeachment of a mentally unstable and unqualified president -- again, no names.
CARRYING THIS ONE OVER TO NEXT YEAR.
Now, for 2019 I'd like to see these things happen:
The resignation or impeachment of a mentally unstable and unqualified president -- again, no names.
The electric vehicle becoming America's fastest growing (by percentage) seller.
Alabama and Clemson and New England to have poor football seasons.
Some major medical breakthrough, perhaps a vaccine to eliminate a dread disease.
Consistent, moderate summer rain in central Iowa.
A priest actually arrested and charged and jailed for past sexual abuse.
More cities allowing app-based scooter rentals.
Another scandal that ruins another Fox TV personality.
U.S. restaurants that allow payment by app, OR that bring the credit card reader to your table.
Me traveling to one of the five continental states in which I've never set foot.
Showing posts with label New England. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New England. Show all posts
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Visiting The Chowdaheads
I've long wanted to visit the far northeastern portion of the United States -- the New England area, as I usually refer to it. As a bonus, I've always wanted to do that in October, during the peak of Fall colors.
This month, that visit finally happened. During the week I was there, I swept through parts of six different states. Here are some observations from each state:
Massachusetts -- The trip started and ended in Boston, the only place in the area to which I'd previously been. As with that prior trip, I consider it a friendly town, but unless you're really into colonial history, not that exciting. A day-trip to Cape Cod was a lot of driving, but more interesting. It doesn't take much to imagine that big sand bar to be choked with tourists and traffic during the summer months.
Rhode Island -- Spent a night in Providence, which struck me as being like Des Moines if it was located on the Atlantic shore. Even though it's a small state, didn't have the time to get to Newport, which I suspect would have been a lot like Cape Cod.
Connecticut -- Only drove through the corner of this state. Nothing to report, except that I was there.
Vermont -- It generally fit the stereotype. A mostly rural state, with dense (and colorful) birch and maple trees covering the landscape, bed and breakfast-type inns, dairy herds, and friendly people. Home to Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and Cabot Cheese, both of which I toured. It's not that much different than Iowa, with the White Mountain range instead of silos.
New Hampshire -- A lot like Vermont, with one major, unexpected exception: About 25 miles of Atlantic shore line, with vast sandy beaches and some huge houses and resorts. Who knew? That small corner of New Hampshire was actually a lot more like I expected Cape Cod to be.
Maine -- We weren't able to make it up to Acadia National Park, but the southern part of the state had its own charm. Think lighthouses, lobsters, and coastal shipping passages. I got the feeling that everyone who lives there wither worked as a fisherman or longshoreman. However, that feeling went away on a visit to Kennebunkport -- a vacation destination for the very wealthy and connected, with the Bush family compound being the elite of the elite.
By my count, this leaves Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and North Dakota as only states I haven't yet been to. A couple of golf trips should fix that.
This month, that visit finally happened. During the week I was there, I swept through parts of six different states. Here are some observations from each state:
Massachusetts -- The trip started and ended in Boston, the only place in the area to which I'd previously been. As with that prior trip, I consider it a friendly town, but unless you're really into colonial history, not that exciting. A day-trip to Cape Cod was a lot of driving, but more interesting. It doesn't take much to imagine that big sand bar to be choked with tourists and traffic during the summer months.
Rhode Island -- Spent a night in Providence, which struck me as being like Des Moines if it was located on the Atlantic shore. Even though it's a small state, didn't have the time to get to Newport, which I suspect would have been a lot like Cape Cod.
Connecticut -- Only drove through the corner of this state. Nothing to report, except that I was there.
Vermont -- It generally fit the stereotype. A mostly rural state, with dense (and colorful) birch and maple trees covering the landscape, bed and breakfast-type inns, dairy herds, and friendly people. Home to Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and Cabot Cheese, both of which I toured. It's not that much different than Iowa, with the White Mountain range instead of silos.
New Hampshire -- A lot like Vermont, with one major, unexpected exception: About 25 miles of Atlantic shore line, with vast sandy beaches and some huge houses and resorts. Who knew? That small corner of New Hampshire was actually a lot more like I expected Cape Cod to be.
Maine -- We weren't able to make it up to Acadia National Park, but the southern part of the state had its own charm. Think lighthouses, lobsters, and coastal shipping passages. I got the feeling that everyone who lives there wither worked as a fisherman or longshoreman. However, that feeling went away on a visit to Kennebunkport -- a vacation destination for the very wealthy and connected, with the Bush family compound being the elite of the elite.
By my count, this leaves Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and North Dakota as only states I haven't yet been to. A couple of golf trips should fix that.
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