I don’t know about you, but I am so ready for 2015 to be over. Actually, with the upcoming election season swinging into full speed ahead mode, I might be ready for 2016 to be over too.

Apropos of nothing, I would like to announce my Lifetime Achievement Award I just received for…going to Pittsburgh! Twice! In one year! Friends who I originally met while living in western MA, now live in Pittsburgh, which are my childhood stomping grounds. As writers of one of the only amusing holiday letters I have ever read, they started a Roll of Honor some years back, which they award to people who have come to visit them in the various cities where they have lived over the last 30 years. Various achievement levels are obtained depending whether you just drop by for dinner, or stay over at their house, or meet up with them in their travels. Because I had to make two trips to Pittsburgh (and maybe because I hounded John incessantly about making this years Roll of Honor, I got the aforementioned Lifetime Achievement Award.

Huzzah!

I really am easily amused. and now…..

No WONDER I didn’t get any presents!

F-F-F-FI-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-VE Cuppycaaaaaaakes!

Are you still singing?

As we get ready to say buh bye to 2015, let me tell you a little of what will be in store for next year…
Pinky will comment on the kerfuffle at the National Zoo, caused by Zoo Director Dennis Kelly’s decision to change the opening and closing hours at the zoo.
Bob and Mehitabel will discuss the plans to try to bring pandas to the other Washington.
Pinky will outshine Bob in her campaigning efforts, and Bob will try to gain an advantage.
Plans to revise “The Case of the Picturesque Panda” into a graphic novel will continue.
Bob will continue to lament the lack of a MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant in the field of Panda Satire.

It’s going to be a panda-ful year, and I hope you will continue to visit all of us at The Institute for Contemporary Panda Satire!