2020

Another year is ending, this one also concluding a decade.  It would be a good time for a retrospective piece on the past ten years, but lots of other entities are doing that.  I'll just stick to my usual review of the things I wanted to have happen this year, and consider some things I would like to see happen in 2020.  We'll again start with the prior year's list, with comments in ALL CAPS:

The resignation or impeachment of a mentally unstable and unqualified president -- again, no names.
IMPEACHMENT HAPPENED.  I CARRIED THIS OVER FORM THE PRIOR YEAR, WHICH TURNED OUR TO BE VERY PRESCIENT.

The electric vehicle becoming America's fastest growing (by percentage) seller.
THIS IS HAPPENING IN THE U.K. BUT NOT IN THE U.S.

Alabama and Clemson and New England to have poor football seasons.
THEY WEREN'T POOR, BUT ALABAMA AND NEW ENGLAND AT LEAST HAD DOWN YEARS.

Some major medical breakthrough, perhaps a vaccine to eliminate a dread disease.
NO.

Consistent, moderate summer rain in central Iowa.
YES.

A priest actually arrested and charged and jailed for past sexual abuse.
THIS DID HAPPEN IN PENNSYLVANIA.  IT WAS TOO PREDICTABLE, AND NOT NEARLY ENOUGH.

More cities allowing app-based scooter rentals.
WHILE MORE CITIES DID ADOPT THEM, OTHER CITIES STARTED TO RESTRICT THEM.

Another scandal that ruins another Fox (News) TV personality.
NOT REALLY, ALTHOUGH THE PRIOR SCANDALS AND CURRENT PROPAGANDA AT FOX DID CAUSE SHEP SMITH TO LEAVE.

U.S. restaurants that allow payment by app, OR that bring the credit card reader to your table.THIS STILL HASN'T RECEIVED WIDESPREAD U.S. ADOPTION, WHICH IS SORT OF INFURIATING.

Me traveling to one of the five continental states in which I've never set foot.I WAS ABLE TO CROSS OFF NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTH CAROLINA FROM MY LIST.  DOWN TO IDAHO, MICHIGAN, MONTANA, AND NORTH DAKOTA.  (IT WAS ACTUALLY SIX.).

Now, for 2020 I'd like to see these things happen:

Me traveling to the final four U.S. states in which I've never set foot.

A new president-elect and a corresponding surviving, independent, democratic republic.

More chances to make a hole-in-one (which means more time to play golf).

Widespread acceptance of plant-based meats on restaurant menus.

The Minnesota Twins to break their streak of 16 consecutive playoff game losses.

Consolidation in the video streaming service industry.

A Summer Olympics without scandal.

Greater federal regulation of Facebook, and less people using it to show me pictures of their food.

A new artist who brings back the sound of classic rock.

That I never order from a bar that tells me it has no Crown Royal Apple.

Carolina In My Mind

Took a trip recently to an area of the U.S. where I'd never been, the Carolinas.  Some observations:

• North Carolina is a little bit like Iowa.  The eastern part of the state is more populous, with lots of medical institutions and places of higher education, while the western half is mostly rural, where most of the pork production is happening. In my opinion, Vermont is the only other state more similar to Iowa, because the similar climate and (lack of) cultural diversity.  South Carolina met the stereotype of the Deep South.  People had thicker accents, and seemed to play up their so-called southern charm in their fashion and behavior.

• Before this trip, I had only heard of the Biltmore estate in passing.  Turns out to be quite a tourist attraction in Asheville, NC, and one worth the visit.  It's mind-boggling to think that nearly 150 years ago, George Vanderbilt was so wealthy and big-thinking to spend many years to plan and purchase thousands of acres of land, and build a small part of it into a self-sustaining estate, including a 180,000 square foot mansion.  It's essentially a European-style kingdom / castle, slightly more modernized for the times.  (The estate also provided the biggest surprise of the trip -- the site of a family of black bears randomly crossing the road.)

• Visited a plantation near Charleston, NC, one that's still 'working' in the sense it still produces crops.  It's main revenue these days, however, is generated by hosting events like weddings and concerts.  Some small brick structures stood in a row not far from the main house -- the former slaves' quarters.  This plantation had a couple of storytellers on hand, one a local slave ancestor, to provide a history of life there in the 1800s.  It bothered me that day, and for the rest of the trip, to think of the incredibly inhumane treatment of the slaves, not to mention the racism that still exists in around the country.

• Along with the old / historic city of Charleston, the main notable locales visited were Myrtle Beach, SC, and Hilton Head, SC.  Myrtle Beach was a huge, commercialized area with lots of beaches and golf courses for the younger rank-and-file demographic.  Hilton Head was a huge, privatized area with lots of golf courses and beaches for the older wealthy demographic.  I admit it, I liked the Hilton Head vibe a lot more, but it seemed like there was an enormous, uncomfortable economic gap between the retirees / vacationers and the service industry folks who lived and worked there full-time.

(Just 5 more states left to visit: Michigan, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Alaska.)