Did You Notice?

Did you notice that most of the rare, precious documents housed in Timbuktu were hidden and not burned by the rebels when they withdrew from the city after the French came in to chase them out?  It had been reported earlier that they were destroyed.  Good news.

Did you notice that a lot of processed food in the U.K. and elsewhere in Europe contains horsemeat?  And not just that – it is contaminated horsemeat.  Makes people sick.  Bad news.

Did you notice that a big asteroid is doing a flyby of our planet in a few days?  Not to worry, the scientists say.  It’ll miss us by 17,100 miles.  Good news.

Did you notice that something like 100 million people will come to Allahabad in northern India for the Kumbh Mela?  Once every 12 years, if you bathe in this spot where the Yamuna, Ganges and mythical Saraswati Rivers come together, you will wash away your world sins.  Good news about your sins.  Bad news if you die in one of the inevitable stampedes that occur during the Mela.

Did you notice that it is Chinese New Year?  In with the Year of the Snake.  Out with the Year of the Dragon.  Good news/Bad news, depending on whether you slither or breathe fire.  I was born in the Year of the Water Rooster.  Very undistinguished.  Bad news.

Did you notice that Joe Paterno’s family is fighting to restore the legacy of their patriarch?  Good luck to ‘em.  Not a chance.  Bad news.

Did you notice that gay rights in Australia aren’t doing well?  They are out of step with the commonwealth brothers in England and Wales.  Bad news.

Did you notice that it’s easier to find bad news than good news?