Hymns: 2012 Memories

I began this series with my Hymns: 1980 Memories post, so this is the 32nd in the series 😀. At some stage in the 21st Century, I started to feel as though someone teleported me into the future and that my time is the 20th Century. But maybe that happens everyone as they age.

So, what do I remember about 2012? I remember joining Audible for the first time. One of my first books was Christianity by Diarmaid MacCulloch, a history of Christianity. I’ve listened to it several times since and bought the physical book too. In October, we showed some of the Wayne Grudem Systematic Theology talks in Tipperary Christian Fellowship. We also went through Christianity Explored. And I remember going through 1 Corinthians on Sunday mornings. I remember reading about a rise in Christian persecution globally, especially in Nigeria. 70% of Christians murdered in 2012 were killed by Boko Haram. Muslims and Christians alike have been victims of Boko Haram’s attacks, including bombings, kidnappings, and executions.

Worship songs from 2012 include the following:

As I often point out, I wasn’t into these songs in 2012. I’ve really only started to familiarize myself with them during the last few years. I do remember hearing Cornerstone at Cafe Church in Limerick Baptist Church around 2016. My own preferred branch of evangelicalism would sing the old hymns, but that shouldn’t stop me taking an interest in the broader Christian music scene.

I also remember a day trip to Brighton, where we got an open-top bus to Devil’s Dyke. I don’t know why the devil’s name is associated with all these beautiful places. I suppose it goes back to old legends. Other memories include visits to all the main museums, such as the Science Museum, Natural History Museum, British Library and the Imperial War Museum. And we noticed several famous people in the streets. The kids were more familiar with them than I was, but I do remember seeing Boris Johnson at a railway station. He was the London Mayor at that stage.

I got a MacBook Pro in the summer of 2012. I was so in awe of it over the years that I was reluctant to use it much. I mainly used Logic Pro on it, a digital audio workstation (DAW). But now it’s got old, and I can’t do much on it anymore. In 2012, a vintage Apple I computer sold for a record $374,500. Maybe if I hold onto my MacBook Pro long enough, someone will give me $374,500 😀. And in 2012, the 8th century St. Cuthbert Gospel, Europe’s oldest intact book, was purchased by the British Library for 9 million pounds​. I must tell them about all my old books in the attic 😀.

2012 was when the first Rocksmith was released. You connect your electric guitar with an Xbox or computer and play along with songs. I still play that every day. And I saw the Beatles in the Pavilion in Cork. Well, they were a Beatles tribute band, but it felt like going to see the Beatles.

Anyway, here are some music, events, and films/TV shows that would have formed the background to 2012. I don’t necessarily endorse all the songs or films 😀.

10 Songs of 2012

• Somebody That I Used to Know – Gotye ft. Kimbra
• Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
• Gangnam Style – PSY
• ​Domino – Jessie J
• Payphone – Maroon 5 ft. Wiz Khalifa
• ​Diamonds – Rihanna
• Skyfall – Adele
• Candy – Robbie Williams
• Girl on Fire – Alicia Keys
• Troublemaker – Olly Murs featuring Flo Rida

10 Movies or TV Shows of 2012

• Brave
• The Dark Knight Rises
• Skyfall
• Life of Pi
• The Avengers
• Les Misérables
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
• Wreck-It Ralph
• Lincoln
• Brazil – Michael Palin (TV series)

10 News Events from 2012

• Ireland won six medals in the London Olympics, including gold for boxer Katie Taylor. The country celebrated one of its best Olympic showings in decades
• Celebrations in June marked 60 years of the Queen’s reign, including a Thames River Pageant and nationwide events.
• In October, Hurricane Sandy caused over $70 billion in damage from the Caribbean to New York and New Jersey.
• On January 13, the Costa Concordia cruise ship ran aground off Italy’s coast, killing 32 people and triggering a massive salvage operation.
• On December 14, 20 children and 6 adults were killed in Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, reigniting debates over gun control in the U.S.
• In China, Xi Jinping was named General Secretary of the Communist Party, beginning a new era in Chinese politics.
• Mohamed Morsi became Egypt’s first democratically elected leader after the Arab Spring, though his presidency was short-lived.
• In India, Activist Anna Hazare and others pushed for stronger anti-corruption laws, sparking nationwide protests.
• The Pakistani teen, Malala Yousafzai was shot by Taliban for advocating girls’ education. Her survival and activism inspired global support.
• The Red Cross suspended all humanitarian work in Pakistan after a worker was kidnapped and killed​.

10 Famous People Who Passed Away in 2012

• Whitney Houston – Singer & actress
• Neil Armstrong – First man on the Moon
• Robin Gibb – Bee Gees singer
• Donna Summer – Disco legend
• Larry Hagman – Actor (Dallas, I Dream of Jeannie)
• Sir Patrick Moore – Astronomer & broadcaster (The Sky at Night)
• Clive Dunn – Actor (Dad’s Army)
• Andy Williams – Singer and TV host
• Levon Helm – Musician in The Band
• Phyllis Diller – Comedian and actress