"A nasty spell may have been cast...but, I know we'll smurf it through." -- Smurfette (LD Season 2, Episode 16)
Well, gang, it's been a heck of a year for everyone. There was little to love about 2020 given the pandemic, mandates, lockdowns, rioting, protesting, lackluster entertainment options, streaming wars amongst the biggest studios, Big Tech censorship, the horrific change to UPC formatting here on the Wiki, and more...
However, it was not all bad. Many people found new ways to connect with loved ones when they could not be together in person, games like Among Us and Fall Guys allowed friends to play remotely, and alt-tech and independent artists using crowdfunding methods prospered like never before.
Even NeopetsTM -- a beloved childhood brand that I thought had long since faded into obscurity -- brought new merchandise to the market for the first time in twelve years! While small in its offerings (some shirts, jewelry, and pins), it felt like receiving a call from an old friend whom I hadn't spoken with in a long time.
No matter what 2020 was for us all, we survived it and we can all hope that 2021 will be better and brighter.
Happy New Year!