
So, 2012 is basically over. We made it, you guys. Even though, sometimes, it kind of felt like we wouldn't, right? I mean, we did have the Mayan apocalypse hanging over our heads until just 10 days ago when we were forced to reconcile ourselves with the fact that, yes, we are all going to die, but, no, not just yet. Not just yet. Anyway, now that we know 2013 is going to be a real thing that's actually going to happen, it might be a good time to start getting EXCITED, you know? But what is there to be excited about? Well, lots of stuff. Lots of stuff is going to happen this year right here in Brooklyn, and trust us, you don't want to miss it. Here's some of the things that we're most looking forward to.
Brooklyn Represents at Obama's Inauguration
Can you imagine how terrible it would feel entering 2013 if the Romney/Ryan ticket had been elected? Really terrible. See? 2012 wasn't all bad. And at the Obama Inauguration in January, Brooklyn will be represented. I mean, sure, Jay-Z and Beyoncé will undoubtedly be there. But also, chef Chris Scott from Windsor Terrace's Brooklyn Commune has been invited to cook for the Inauguration. So, basically, if you have ever eaten at Brooklyn Commune—and you should, the quinoa salad is amazing—you are JUST LIKE THE PRESIDENT.

Snow
I mean, I guess I don't know that this is happening for sure. But it ought to happen at some point this winter. Real snow. The kind that lets you go sledding in Prospect Park. The kind that blankets the ground and invites you to lie down in it at night and stare up at the stars if only for a little while before the icy cold bites and burns at your neck, forcing you to jump up. Soon you'll want to lie back down in it again. Please let this happen. We need snow. We like the cold. Also, you can ski.

The Bike Share
Remember that awesome bike share program that was supposed to launch last summer and make it easier for New Yorkers to hop on bikes and ride heedlessly around the city just like Europeans? Well! It might actually happen this summer, provided all of the massive software problems that thwarted its launch last year do not resurface. We'll see! Fingers crossed.

The Return Of...
Lots of places damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Well, at least, we certainly hope this will be the case. Red Hook's Fairway will reopen in March and we've been checking the New York Aquarium's website almost daily to see if they have any projected reopening date. After all, we want to make sure that Virginia Smith can keep her New Year's resolution to meet Mitik, the mustachioed baby walrus. We're also eager to see Nathan's and everything else in Coney Island reopen. If you can, donate money or time to the ongoing volunteer efforts at all the different areas of Brooklyn still affected by and recovering from Sandy.

It's an Election Year
That's right. While the rest of the country gets to relax and enjoy being in an off year in terms of electoral madness, we in New York have a mayoral election to look forward to. Now, this would be a big deal no matter what, but THIS election will be noteworthy because—unless Bloomberg pulls off some really fancy legislative footwork—we will be getting a new mayor for the first time in 12 years! That's a really long time. Who will it be? Christine Quinn? Joe Lhota? Nobody knows. But it will probably, hopefully, get kind of interesting as the year progresses. Also, long-time and much maligned Brooklyn DA Charles "Joe" Hynes is being challenged by Abe George this year. As we get closer to Election Day, prepare for the mudslinging to commence.

And Now For the Bad News
Here's some other things we have in store for us in 2013. An MTA fare hike. That fiscal cliff thing will probably still be there. The apocalypse was obviously not a real thing, but what could be real is getting a new superstorm every year. Thanks, climate change.
Whatever happens though, we survived 2012. Which was, in retrospect, not the easiest thing to do. So, 2013? We're ready for you.
Follow Kristin Iversen on twitter @kmiversen