the outgoing year

Green Point 31st December, 2006

As I write this, just a few hours are left of the year 2006

My background music comes thanks to Giuseppe Verdi and his Requiem. The last sections are titled

'Lux Eterna' and 'Libera Me' literally translated 'Ever lasting light' and 'liberate me'

Earlier today the main news item on Australian Television, like probably all around the world, were the pictures of the last minutes of Saddam Hussein, hanged on this day in Baghdad.

What could be seen as an act of personal defiance I changed my desktop picture today to showing the Sydney Harbour Bridge with the word PEACE adorned for one of the last New Years Eve celebrations.

New Years resolutions are hovering around the place, waiting to be taken – and more importantly – waiting to be put into practice. Knowing myself, I guess I will resist the temptation.

As far as the world goes, the world in which we all live, the year was, it seems to me, a mixed bag of the good, the bad and the ugly.

As a statistically minded person I am acutely aware of the fact that averages are often made up of extremes on either side of the scale.

However, there are also averages which are largely made up of middle values, not too bad, not too good either.

The end result can be the same – in statistical terms.

Looking back on 2006 and the world we all live in I come, tentatively, to the conclusion that this one is more one of the latter category.

And that, I must admit, seems also to apply to the world, I live in.

There are a few highlights I can look back on and some low points. And not surprisingly, most of these somehow involve friends, family and people around me.

And whilst the highlights seem to outshine the low moments, the death of a good old friend late this year has made a lasting impact on my overall assessment.

Knowing, however, that his departure from this world was something he looked forward to as the ravages of old age had made his last few months devoid of quality of life, it was ultimately a blessing for him, but none the less a sad occasion for those left behind.

As an eternal optimist I am inclined to believe that 2007 will, all in all, be better.

My power of influence is obviously largely confined to the world I live in as opposed to the world we all live in.

However, I have all intentions to at least try to use this limited capacity to my disposal to make this world a better place. How far that extends – I will see in 12 months time.

I wish you all, who ever that may be, a happy New Year.