The "Annus" in Review
I am NOT responsible if you misread the title of this :) Queen Elizabeth II called 1992 an “Annus Horribilis”—a “horrible year”—because that was the year of so much turmoil in the Royal Family. I’ve seen many people call 2016 the same thing because of the US election results and because we lost so many influential people in so many fields of human endeavor (and there are still 4 days to go). In some ways, it would be easy for me to label 2016 a personal “Annus Horribilis”: my career took a somewhat expected turn several years sooner than anticipated which led to some serious financial fears until things settled down; my parents have both had significant health issues this year that remind me that they’re approaching 80 as fast as my brother and I are approaching 50; a bout with bronchitis early this year has left me more susceptible to respiratory allergic reactions than in the past; my knees remind me at least twice a week that I could have them replaced tomorrow (or on Monda