Then and Now

As The Normal Blog approaches its first anniversary next month, it is startling to realize just how much things have changed between then and now and just how unpredictable life is. Consider the following:

BARACK OBAMA
Then: Long shot for Democratic presidential nomination and even longer shot for White House
Now: Coolest dude on the planet

HILLARY CLINTON
Then: Odds on favorite for Democratic presidential nomination and White House
Now: #4 in line for White House (as Secretary of State)

ROD BLAGOJEVICH
Then: Unpronounceable Governor, little known outside Illinois
Now: National laughingstock and star of TV series "The Beady Eyed Balkan"

ELLIOT SPITZER
Then: High profile New York Governor
Now: National laughingstock and star of TV series "The Thousand Dollar Hooker"

SARAH PALIN
Then: Obscure moose hunting Alaska governor
Now: National laughingstock and star of TV series "Hottest Mama from Coldest State"

JOHN THAIN (Merrill), RICHARD FULD (Lehman), JAMES CAYNE (Bear Stearns)
Then: Masters of the Universe, widely admired for Wall Street success
Now: Widely reviled as symbols of Wall Street greed, arrogance and incompetence

BERNARD MADOFF
Then: Little known but highly admired for stunning, mysterious Wall Street success
Now: Universally reviled as shameless sociopathic sadistic serial swindler

CHICAGO CUBS
Then: Hoping for first World Series championship in 100 years
Now: Hoping for first World Series championship in 101 years

THE NORMAL BLOGGER
Then: Obscure retired CPA
Now: Obscure retired CPA