“Happy New Year 2013 – We can only hope for even better than in 2012!”

Dec 30, 2012 Sports

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By Colin E. H. Croft
2012 was some year!  2013, which could be considered a “gap” year, with expectations already building heavily on Brazil’s 2014 Soccer World Cup, among other hopes, would have to do exceptionally well to be close.  All we can hope for is the best!  “Happy New Year 2013”!

For prosperity, I have heard that in southern USA – states such as Tennessee and Louisiana – there is a myth concerning foods, readily available in the Caribbean, which produce riches and abundant life, if the meals are eaten either on December 31 in the ending year, or January 01 of the starting year.
All you need to cook, and eat, are black-eyed peas, collared greens and corn bread, stuff that every kitchen Caribbean woman knows about, and your new year can be exceptionally productive and financially rewarding.  I do not know about you, but I will comply, as all of this can also be good for you!
Anyway, with its geographical proximity and especially aviation-related ties to Caribbean and Americas, people I know, me too, are salivating about attending FIFA’s 20th World Cup – the first was held in 1950  – 12 June to 13 July 2014, Brazil soon to be hosting twice, to join Mexico, Italy, France and Germany.
But FIFA Brazil 2014 is still at least eighteen months away, as the calendar flies, from where we are now.
After the excellence in sports, all over the world in 2012, it really will be very difficult indeed for 2013 to have any kind of same intensities, same rivalries and same regularity as was present in ultra 2012.
London 2012 Olympics was the bomb!  From the opening ceremony, with Daniel Craig; “Bond – James Bond”; performing a mystifying parody with Queen Elizabeth II – some are still unsure as to whether the Grand Lady actually parachuted into the opening ceremony – the entire show was extra prima first class!
The wait, tension, outright euphoric confusion for Usain Bolt’s explosions, in streets, bars, ghettos even, of London, were palpable.  In all of my years of going to United Kingdom, since my first visit in 1972, I have not seen the country so totally friendly and enraptured with any event.  London 2012 rocked!

2012 had more great speed too!  Formula 1 racing was exceptionally good in 2012, much safer too, with youth re-emerging.  My favorite driver, Spain’s Fernando Alonzo – “El Nano” – just failed to regain the world championship; he last won in 2006; even with a Scuderia Ferrari car which no-one rated at all!
No-one can fault the effort, calmness, absolute professionalism of defending 2010 and 2011 world champion, Germany’s Sebastian Vettel, driving for Red Bull.  At only 25, Vettel has already surpassed another F-1 ace, now deceased Brazilian Ayrton Senna, as the youngest triple world champion.
Vettel completed the circle by being third to get three consecutive championships; only legends Argentinian Juan Manuel Fangio and Germany’s Michael Schumacher, a Vettel hero, have done so!
Oh, personally, even as I enjoyed 2012’s sports, I still found several weeks to get another ‘gong’ – USA Department of Transport (DOT) Commercial Driver’s License – which allows me to drive 18-wheeler trucks and buses.  It was damned tough, but the old brain, nearing 60, seems to be still intact; maybe!
One personal aspiration for 2013 is to learn Spanish and Portuguese.  It is my fault that I do not know more, since I lived in South Florida 1981 – 1992.  I should have learned them then.
No stress.  I have great hope that Rosetta Stone’s instructions and directives will guide me through those labyrinths!
2013, from what I have read, could be sad, for this coming carnival could also mark the end of the Brian McFarlane odyssey into carnival in Trinidad & Tobago, a combination that has become synonymous with style, exotic colour, and extravagant pageantry.  If this is true, his massive style will surely be missed!
How 2013 treats another T&T world-class super performer, Machel Montano, could be very interesting indeed, as soon, in January even, he is to come up for sentencing, having been found guilty of several mano-y-mano offences.  I am not an expert in legalese, but I sincerely wish him all the best!
Unfortunately, I must end 2012 with the death of a very good friend, as we remember Scotsman Robert Burns’ Auld Lang Syne:  “Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?  Should auld acquaintance be forgot and auld lang syne?”
There have been many important people who left us in 2012, including singer Whitney Houston, jazz-man extra-ordinary Dave Brubeck, Myron “Mike” Wallace, that magnificent “60 Minutes” presenter, not to mention Lance Murray, whose efforts for Trinidad & Tobago in cricket administration was so special.
Even as I was writing this piece, news came from Australia that someone that I have had tremendous respect for, former highly competitive cricketing opponent and pointed cricket commentator, and one, like me, who always spoke his mind, Tony Greig, the former England captain, had died on December 29.
2013 must break that late 2012 gloom.  There must be a silver linings after dark clouds.  Enjoy 2013!

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