In one very real sense this Thursday is a day like any other day in the calendar. It simply marks the end of a month.
But it also marks the end of the year and the turning of the calendar. This time of the year usually calls for retrospection and analysis. For a look back at what was and a look ahead to what is yet to be.
Was 2015 a good year?
Of course, such a question depends upon the context in which it is asked.
Locally, for example, 2015 was the 100th anniversary of the founding of Prince George. Our city celebrated at a number of events during the course of the year. Cake and cookies, speeches and time capsules - we marked a turning point in the history of Prince George in a wide variety of ways. Overall, it was a successful celebration but not completely without controversy, such as the renaming of a park.
The Canada Winter Games were a good news story. The legacy is still with us and will be for a number of years to come. The ripple effect and economic benefits have yet to be fully realized.
Will 2016 feature more tourism to the city and region as a result of national exposure? Will we get future infrastructure dollars after so much has already been spent?
I would like to believe we can truly enhance the level of sporting events in this city as a result of the games.
Maybe a few more national ski races at Otway or competitions at the Charles Jago Northern Sports Centre could be sponsored locally or provincially.
At the same time as the city clicked over the century mark, UNBC made it to the quarter pole if you measure its existence from the enabling legislation.
Most of us measure UNBC's age from the days the doors opened on the hill.
It has only been 21 years since Queen Elizabeth declared the university open. But that is quibbling.
There is much to be celebrated about the university. In 25 years, it has grown into one of the top ranked institutions in the country according to Maclean's magazine. And while some might dispute their ranking system and the placement of UNBC, there is little doubt the university and it alumni have had an incredible impact on the region.
In a local context, 2015 was a very good year.
At a national level, this past October saw a shift in the ideological basis of our federal government. As one of my colleagues pointed out, we typically have these swings about every 10 years give or take. For many folks, it was long overdue; for others, their hopes were dashed.
It is really interesting to see how little separates the extreme left and right ends of the political spectrum in our country.
Generally speaking, Canadian politicians would cluster in the middle of the political spectrum in many other countries. We do politics politely.
Compare our election with the ongoing sight south of the border. Some sixteen Republican candidates started the race. A few have gone by the wayside but the Donald remains strong. The latest CNN poll gives him 39 per cent - more than twice his closest challenger Ted Cruz at 18 per cent.
It is not nice to laugh at your neighbours but it is hard not to, given the ludicrous nature of the primaries.
Between Donald Trump's pronouncements on immigration to Ben Carson's sleepy ways to Ted Cruz's machine-gun bacon, the Republicans seem almost determined to lose. At the very least, they are providing fodder for comedians the world over.
The Democrats are holding their primaries as well but they are almost a non-event. They are more of a ceremonial coronation for Hillary Clinton than an all-out battle for the nomination.
All of which begs the question as to why doesn't anyone seem to want the job of president? Are the parties really running to lose?
Given the state of the rest of the world, maybe that really is the strategy.
Between the conflict in the Middle East with the rise of the Islamic State - also known as ISIS or ISIL, terrorism in Paris with the attack on Charlie Hebdo and more recently with the mass bombings killing over 120 citizens - and with the rise of Russian aggression in the Ukraine, who would really want the position of "leader of the free world?"
Not to mention all of the other conflicts around the world - from Burundi to the South China Sea.
It would appear as the world gets more populated we are finding it more difficult to get along.
So, was 2015 a good year? Locally, yes. Nationally, maybe. Internationally, no. Will 2016 be any better? Let's hope so. A few glimmers of good news would certainly be welcome.
One thing is certain, though: it, too, will pass.
