2012 Foggy Crystal Ball

The world didn’t end at the end of the Mayan calendar, but how did I do on my guesses for 2012?

WEATHER

“A mild winter with record snowfall in March but an early spring.” I’ll give myself a 50% on this one. It was a mild winter and early spring but no record snowfall
“Dry hot summer this year.” Yup, it was dry, but not exceptionally hot.
“It will not be below -20 F at my house this year.” Very true; it barely got below 0, but it was 0 this morning.

SPORTS

MLB — “While I think the Cubs will be better, this is not their year. So, I am picking the LA Angels as World Series winners!” Nope, Hapy was in heaven as the Giants won the World Series.
NBA — “Shortened season because millionaires and billionaires were feuding. While I would love to see my beloved Celtics add a banner, I am actually choosing the Chicago Bulls over the LA Clippers for the NBA Finals.” Whoa, way off! The Heat defeated the Thunder and the Celtics took the Heat to game 7!
NFL — “Packers win the Super Bowl over the Pats, 36-24.” Well, it was the Giants over the Pats, but the Pats lost, so all is well.
NHL — “Some team where there is natural ice in the city will win the Stanley Cup.” Way wrong, as there is no natural ice in Los Angeles and no NHL hockey this year.

POLITICS

“There will be a third-party Presidential Candidate that receives at least 10% of the popular vote.” Nope.
“Mitt Romney will be the Republican nominee.” Not bad, Don…
“Barack Obama will be re-elected based upon an improving economy but in a very close contest.” I’m giving this one to me.
“Democrats will barely maintain control of the US Senate.” True.
“Republicans will maintain control of the US House.” True, sorta, depending on how you define “control.”
“Governor Shumlin will be re-elected in Vermont.” No contest.
“Record number of freshmen US Reps will be elected.” Not by far. 67 this year compared with 94 two years ago.

ECONOMY

“Overall economy will grow.” Yes, it did…albeit slowly.
“Unemployment nationally will fall below 8%.” Yes, it did.
“Interest rates will remain at historical lows.” Yes, they did.
“The Chinese Yuan will continue to appreciate.” Yes, it did.

APPLE

“The iPad line will expand to include multiple models aside from color and carriers (i.e. size, power, etc.).” Yup.
“Apple will release a revolutionary television that changes the game (once again). We will never watch TV in the same way.” Not yet!
“More Apple Products (i.e. iPad and MacBook Pro) will incorporate Siri.” Yes.
“Apple will post successive record breaking quarters.” Yes.
“Apple will make a surprise acquisition.” Not that I am aware of…

SMALL DOG ELECTRONICS

“Small Dog will acquire or build three new stores in 2012.” Nope, but we are opening one in Rutland soon.
“Small Dog will have over 100 employees by the end of 2012.” Nope, closer to 70 right now.
“Small Dog will have 5 employees who were, at one time, CEOs of their own companies.” Only three.
“Small Dog will have a syndicated talk show.” We have a talk show on WDEV but it is not yet syndicated.

MISC.

“There will be scientifically confirmed intelligent extra-terrestrial life.” Nope.
“There will be one astounding medical break through.” Nope.
“Peace will come to two regions that desperately deserve peace.” Sadly, we have more wars not fewer.

I’ll be back next week to look in that crystal Mac Cube casing and see what 2013 will bring.