Ringing-out-the-old-year update: (1) Tonight at 11, Rachel Maddow is doing a New Year's Eve special. (2) Howie waves good-bye to Mali.

(1) FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE: IT'S THE FIRST ANNUAL
RACHEL MADDOW AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

If you haven't made your New Year's Eve plans, or even if you have, note that Rachel's got this special airing tonight -- according to the MSBNC website "at 11 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. (two halves with the ball drop in Times Square in the middle)."

Now that sounds like just the way to get the new year off to the right start.


(2) LEAVING MALI: IF NOTHING ELSE, HOWIE
REPORTS, YOU CAN EAT WELL IN BAMAKO

By now, if I'm calculating correctly, and barring unforeseen developments, Howie is in Paris. I'm waiting to find out whether Down With Tyranny is actually blocked in France, as appeared to be the case on the outbound leg of the trip.

Yesterday there was a new post on his Around the World travel blog with some parting thoughts from Mali: "Bamako May Be Hot, Dusty, Expensive & Polluted, But They Sure Make Some Good Chow."

On his return to Bamako the other day, by the way, Howie wrote, "The trip to Dogon country was amazing, and I took tons of photos, but that must all wait til I get back." We haven't heard much about the trip to Dogon country, either here or on Howie's Around the World blog. He promises, "The real story I'll write when I get back."

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