She was only *mostly* dead

Today marks my return to the blogosphere (under a new moniker!) after a five-year hiatus. I wish I could say that those five years were a whirlwind of exciting events and experiences ... but a demanding job and near-terminal exhaustion don't really meet the criteria.

It's been fascinating, though, to look back and consider how much has happened since last I blogged. For instance:

1. The U.S. and global economies collapsed in a messy heap, with consequences that are still unfolding.
2. America elected a Democrat to the presidency. Did I mention that he's African American?
3. Congress passed healthcare reform, and President Obama signed the bill into law. Unfortunately, Ted Kennedy didn't live to see the cause to which he dedicated himself come to fruition. Also unfortunately, the bill didn't include a public option.
4. Several states and the District of Columbia legalized same-sex marriage. Sadly, California voters overturned the state's approval of marriage rights for gays and lesbians by passing Proposition 8.
5. The political mood of the nation became even more rancorous - something I wouldn't have believed was possible. In fact, it's gotten downright menacing.
6. The far-right wing of the GOP took permanent leave of its senses.
7. Apple's iPhone rewrote the "smartphone" rules.
8. Facebook and Twitter ate the Internet.
9. Mother Nature went on a rampage.
10. The New York Mets and the Baltimore Orioles went from bad to "hide all the sharp objects in the house" awful. 
11. And apparently scantily clad and promiscuous women are to blame for earthquakes. Glad we got that cleared up.

There's an ancient Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times." If these times get any more "interesting," I may have to make a downpayment on a padded cell. I wonder if they make them with Wi-Fi?