I was wondering what to write in regard to Sir Paul Holmes especially in the wake of his expected passing.

President Obama had the good fortune to be able to do his inauguration twice. The first came on Sunday when he was officially sworn in. The second time was on Monday at the U.S. Capitol building where he repeated his vows to the American people a second time.

 I'm a bit surprised by today's Cabine reshuffle news.

Gareth Morgan has floated his latest environmentally friendly idea - ban and kill all family cats. 

Yesterday, I saw a posting on FB made by a gay FB friend of mine. This posting was a link to an American website where gay criminals were on display for all to see.

 Lance Armstrong has done the right thing - but many years too late.

Armstrong's confessional interview with Oprah Winfrey airs tomorrow (Friday) in the United States. However, Oprah has already helpfully told us that Armstrong has confessed but not in the way she was expecting.

 Take note climate change deniers - recent fires in Australia and New Zealand are a sign of things to come!

 In recent weeks we have heard the sad story about the vicious rape of a young 23 year old Indian woman on a bus. The details were horrific and her story gained international attention simply due to the fact that it took place in public.

 Happy New Year to all readers! What will 2013 be like politically?

This is a long blog recounting 2012 as seen through my eyes, but here it goes...

After the year when the news never stopped (2011), it was the year (to paraphrase the late David Lange) when the news had a cup of tea and a breather.