Chinese New Year doesn't happen until February this year (it will be the year of the Snake) but obviously in my neighborhood we will be celebrating the coming of the New Year at the traditional 12.31.12 time. Chinese New Year focuses on ridding ourselves of the bad fortune of the past year and opening ourselves up to better possibilities in the next. Here in the West we sing 'auld lange syne' and the lyrics ask us to think about the question, should we hold onto the past or look to the future. I am pleased that these two traditions are so similar. This past year has been remarkably difficult for me. The many and varied reasons are unimportant in this conversation. I am acutely aware that many, many others have experienced difficulties beyond what I can imagine and I can only hope that somehow they have the strength to push through. My fellow Moderator, airtorn, is currently on active duty in Afganistan and I worry about him and the welfare of his family. Many other members, either publicly or privately, have shared details of the difficulties of their lives over the course of the last year and at the risk of sounding corny, it becomes a testament to the strength of the human spirit. DegreeInfo is an internet micro-community. Most of us have never physically met and probably never will. Yet we feel that we're connected and that we have relationships that are "real" in some important way. As we approach these New Year celebrations I would like to say that I hope that people are able to sweep away the misfortunes of the past, put away ill-feelings and grudges and act in a way that allows the Year of the Snake to be one that you remember with a smile. Happy New Year to all.
Nice post. I have met one of us and am glad to have done so. I would encourage others to meet with local members as well. Thats a good new year's resolution.
Greetings, Friends* Set the single malt scotch on your finest coasters, As we greet the hundred most frequent posters, Since DegreeInfo launched in two thousand and one, More than 400K posts! (and ain’t it been fun). Here mentioned in order, from the top to the bottom From one to a hundred, I think that we’ve got ‘em. So save a thick slice of the Christmas goose For Ted Heiks, Rich Douglas and officer Bruce. Who’s that lurching now through the door? Why it’s Kizmet with Randell1234 They may be late, but we shall not chasten. Hi to late Uncle Janko, and non-late BillDayson Always alert, and on the qui vive, Welcome Surf Doctor and Foerster, Steve There’s Abner and Maniac Craniac Riding in on a handsome and oh so brainy yak. They’re no one’s pawn and they’re no one’s shill, Anderson, Ian and Huffman, Bill While patiently waiting at the gate: Jack Tracey with Nosborne48. Excuse me, I’ve got to get up and go pee again, See you soon RFValve and also me again Now, looky there, is it the April Fool? No, it’s Bill Grover, DesElms, and Dennis Ruhl. Get out of the way, let’s hit the deck, man, For Anthony Pina and also Tekman. Is that Socrates and Baruch Spinoza? No, instead it is Decimon and cookderosa. Quick, log them in on the nearest blog: Oxpecker, Dave Wagner and CalDog. I must go soon, it’s getting late, So howdy, B4cz28. He’s the fearless captain of our ship. He runs this board with an iron grip. It’s been a remarkable ‘leven-year trip, So thanks to our founder: thank you, Chip! It’s time for going toe to toe With DaveHayden and friendorfoe. When it comes to gumption, you de man, Lerner, Tom Head, kevin and Han. You were the man, MarkIsrael; We miss you more than words can tell. We’ve welcomed the words and the thoughts and brains Of TCord, Sentinel, and Gus Sainz. May the lottery bless you with nifty picks, Gert Potgeiter, major56, TCNixon, and Shawn Ambrose And so it comes, and so it goes. Japhy4529 You get to be all alone on a line Edowave, Ike and airtorn too, We bid you bon jour, now we bid you adieu. Big Mike Albrecht and little fauss Bless your families, bless your house. Orson, pugbelly, g’day George Brown, Paint your wagon, paint the town. Galanga, stefanM and PhD2b Setting examples for every Newbie. We’re glad that you’ve reached the age of consent, AUTigerOO, Hille and mattbrent. We don’t always agree, but we’ll never kvetsch About Simon, Vinipink, drwetsch. Please stay on your best behavior BlueMason and roysavia. Hail to Christians, Jews, and all those pagans, fine… But where have you gone, old friend Carl Regenstein 03310151 Hear the laughter, feel the fun. Keep up the good work, you carry-the-torchers, AV8R and Andy Borchers, JLV, Mr. Engineer, Charles and soupbone, hear hear hear. Jimnagrom, we’ve got your ear, Plcscott should never fear, Truckle270 you’re our hero, And so is dlady, number one-zero-zero. May your new year be fantastic, Not too dreadful, not too drastic. That’s my message, that’s my riff, From the top (or the bottom?) of the fiscal cliff. May most of your days be sunny and fair, This wish for everyone, from John B. Bear ______ * thanks to Roger Angell
Dr. Bear - Happy New Year! In December of 1982, while out on maternity leave, I bought your book on non-traditional degrees. Over the last thirty years I've referred to it every year - sometimes actively, sometimes wistfully. It seems like I never had the time and money to finish my degree started in 1972. Over the last 10 years I have been able to cobble together CLEPs and DSSTs, online courses and and some B&M classes. In April I will finally finish my BS at Excelsior. My plan is to move right into my Healthcare MBA at WGU. Thank you so much for your wisdom, help, and knowledge!
Thank you so much for the kind words, Denise . . . and congratulations on your progress toward the degree. At times like this, I recall the wisdom of Dear Abby: someone wrote to her that they were 37 years old and thinking about starting a degree . . . but concerned that they would be 41 years old when they finished. Her reply: "And how old will you be in four years if you don't do the degree?"
Regional Meet Ups could be a neat thing. Steve, if you do a DC area gathering, I'd be in for it. I'm only about 2 and a half hours away from DC.
Cool poem, JB. In case you were wondering, it's a male and his name is Mangy-yak Brainy-yak. I'm still interested in a meet-up with Kizmet, but the phone number she gave me, after I emailed her 450 times in one week asking her for it, is not in service :\ Did you write it down correctly, Kiz? I have it as (999) 555-1234. Also, every time I try to make an appointment to meet SurfDoctor's daughter, he changes the subject and starts talking about his gun collection. Weird...
