I've got to get this out of the way fast before 2012 ends and 2013 begins, so in its 23rd year...

The Top 20 Things That Were Trending in 2012

20. Facebook going public (and millions of investors clicking "unlike")

19. The nut who tried to steal Webb Simpson's spotlight after just winning the U.S. Open (if this happens at Augusta, Jim Nantz will beat him senseless)

18. Tim Tebow traded to the New York Jets while Peyton Manning goes to the Denver Broncos (therefore exorcising the Mile High City from Tebowism)

17. Clint Eastwood and his invisible chair at the Republican National Convention (to be later joined by an invisible audience laughing at his invisible jokes)

16. "Ted" (somewhere, Teddy Ruxpin and Snuggle Bear were launching a vendetta against Seth MacFarlane)

15. Steve Harvey (the movie version of "Think Like A Man" was a hit, his talk show is becoming the anti-Dr. Phil, and "Family Feud" has been climbing in the ratings...Ryan who???)

14. Lance Armstrong being stripped of all his Tour de France titles (and who says he doesn't have the balls to defend himself?)

13. The iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S III (one had long lines stretching for miles, the other has you sharing videos you regret taking)

12. Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey joining "American Idol" (stick a fork in that show...it's already been well done)

11 (and making her 14th consecutive appearance). Britney Spears (proving that she always had the "X Factor (sorry, Khloe Kardashian!))

10. "Call Me Maybe" (last year it was "Friday", and now, this?! God, no wonder why I'm getting old!)

9. Mitt Romney vs. Big Bird (a day after the first debate, Big Bird left a little "present" on Romney's campaign bus)

8. TIE: Lindsay Lohan and Amanda Bynes (no comment)/NFL replacement referees (more inept at their jobs than a small-market local news anchor)

7. The Olympics (or as we called it, "The Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt Show II featuring Ryan Lochte, Queen Elizabeth II on a parachute, and the Fierce Five!")

6. Adele cleaning up the Grammys (yeah, that'll teach those young punks a lesson! And speaking of which...)

5. One Direction (this decade's Beatles/New Kids/'NSync/Hanson/Jonas Brothers...so far)

4. TIE: Honey Boo Boo (another reason why our society is going down the crapper. But at least she outrated that comedy showcase which was the Republican National Convention!)/The General David Petraeus scandal (Dirty little secret? Yeah, right!)

3. TIE: Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes divorcing (the "Free Katie!" t-shirts finally paid off)/Pope Benedict XVI and Betty White on Twitter (now we're waiting on which one will fire off a sexy Instagram)

2. "Gangnam Style" (it was infectious, just like the Macarena)

And not even a little photo scandal or a nurse the victim of a prank call from Australian DJs couldn't hurt the #1 thing that was trending in 2012...

1. Duchess Kate's pregnancy (and already, baby naming games have begun)

And that's the AllenBlog's 2012 Year In Review. So long, stay strong, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!