The Czar will not laud 2011. For many personal reasons too dark and dank to list on this happy site, it really was a lousy year for him and his family, and nearly all of his friends and relations. Too many wakes and funerals, too many changes of plans, too many acquaintances suffering under economic conditions that (a) seem to be totally preventable and (b) are likely being extended to prove a political point by the President. Whatever. So good riddance to 2011.

2012, though, should be another story entirely. We welcome it with fevered optimism, in hopes that its promise alone is sufficient to exorcise the foul-smelling remains of 2011. Maybe, luckily, 2011 was a fantastic year for you; a superb year—and outfreakingstanding year for you. We hope it was; but you, too, should look forward to 2012.

2012 will be better. Yes, it will be an important year politically, too, as Americans will be positioned, as they so often have, to determine what type of future the country will have. The economy should begin rebounding this year, as we are now at the ebb of personal bankruptcies. Credit should begin building up, and companies should start spending money—if Congress lets them.

Plus, there is something so positive about a nice, even number like 2012. A leap year, to be sure, but a year that starts neatly on a Sunday (and, were it not for that cool leap year, would end on a Sunday) always seems a bit more ready to do work.

May your 2012 be all that we hope it is, for it is a year of great expectations.

The Czar of Muscovy

Божію Поспѣшествующею Милостію Мы, Дима Грозный Императоръ и Самодержецъ Всероссiйскiй, цѣсарь Московскiй. The Czar was born in the steppes of Russia in 1267, and was cheated out of total control of all Russia upon the death of Boris Mikhailovich, who replaced Alexander Yaroslav Nevsky in 1263. However, in 1283, our Czar was passed over due to a clerical error and the rule of all Russia went to his second cousin Daniil (Даниил Александрович), whom Czar still resents. As a half-hearted apology, the Czar was awarded control over Muscovy, inconveniently located 5,000 miles away just outside Chicago. He now spends his time seething about this and writing about other stuff that bothers him.