2020, man.

It was the best of years, it was the worst of years.

It was the whatever of years.

What a year.

This week, the Times is going to go through some of the biggest stories of the past 12 months,

focusing on politics and culture and, of course, disasters.

The gift that keeps on giving.

Happy holidays.

I'm Gustav Ariano.

You're listening to The Times, essential news from the LA Times.

It's Monday, December 26, 2022.

Today we're starting our 2020 in review by talking It's Monday, December 26, 2022.

Today, we're starting our 2020 in review by talking doom and gloom in the world of disasters,

but also some hope as we enter 2023.

It's times like these that we turn to my colleagues of catastrophe, those profits of peril,

are three wise scribes of scary.

Yep, it's time for our Masters of Disaster, Zaza.

Musica maestro. Musica maestro.

Music Sitting as always in the earthquake chair is Ron Lynn. Ron, what do you want for Christmas more? An end to COVID or an end to earthquakes?

End to COVID. Oh, that's very, very nice of you. Also joining us is our Cassandra of the Coast. As always, Rosanna Shaw. Rosanna, for once, I don't have a joke for you, but an honest question. If tuna's the chicken of the sea, what's the turkey of the sea? Turkey fish. Turkey fish. Oh, gosh. Look it up. They are terrifying. Very poisonous. Oh, boy. Just like actual turkey for that matter. It puts you to sleep and just probably dry as hell too. And finally, our energy master, Sammy Roth. Sammy, let's be real. Wasn't the biggest disaster of 2022 the Dodgers not even making it into the World Series? You know, I really shouldn't try to argue that one because I'm not going to be able to do it. You're absolutely right. And sadly, Sammy is a big Dodgers fan, so I feel for you, man. Hopefully Santa's going to bring you Clayton Kirschall like Sandy Kofax for 2023. Damn, that's mean. We got Clayton. I just want to see Justin Turner back now. Then I'll be good to go. Come on, Santa. We could do it. Masters, welcome, as always. There's always disasters happening across the globe, floods, earthquakes, volcanoes, Los Angeles, Angels of Anaheim, really the worst disaster in Major League Baseball. And that's just for us non-masters.

All of you masters must have what you think are some of the more prominent disasters, at least

the ones that really weighed on you throughout 2022. So, Ron, you first. Where are some of the disasters

...