Sweeping Away 2016

From the buzz of my friends, it seems like 2016 has gotten quite the bad rap. With a rash of celebrity deaths in the last few weeks (Zsa Zsa Gabor, Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, and George Michael), the world has been clubbing the hell out of 2016 and counting the days until 2017 begins. In a somewhat twisted but brilliant maneuver, a man in Spartanburg, SC has started a gofundme page to keep 94 year old actress Betty White away from the clutches of the grim reaper. Before anyone gets their underwear twisted out of shape, the money will actually be going to a theater in Spartanburg. It appears that in just a few days, he has almost achieved his goal of raising $10,000. I say bravo to creativity! Somebody chose to use their energy to leave this comment on the fundraising page:

DUMM PEOPLE HE'S USING HER NAME TO SCAMM YOU......

Where do I begin? Not even worth the effort. I can't say 2016 was really different for me from any other year; it had peaks, valleys, and the usual mesas. A lot of learning...a lot of mistakes...a lot of successes. I guess it's all in what you choose to focus on.



The scariest part of this year has been watching people become so quick to anger. It takes very little for the rants to begin, and of course the election didn't help. Instead of hating, judging, and throwing back the same horse-pucky that we all claim to despise, how about just sharing a little love, compassion, and tolerance? I was so saddened to see Steve Martin's tweet about Carrie Fisher deleted in response to the hateful stone-throwing rants by those who found it offensive. Name-calling and hateful words do not make your point any more compelling. Maybe the world has just gotten angry. I sure hope that when the calendar turns to 2017, we are able to reset and calm the heck down. Instead of going on social media and complaining, ranting, and blaming others for your woes, how about taking some time to volunteer to help an organization or person who is less fortunate than you? Channel that anger and frustration into something positive. Trust me...you'll feel a lot better, too.



By the way...today's vintage Disneyland image is circa 1956. Note the mound of dirt on the left where the Monsanto House of the Future would eventually go.

More vintage and current Disneyland Central Plaza photos at my main website.