Savage eagles, rowdy bears, big box stores and volcanoes, oh my. Yeah, and sloppy winters, huge storm tides, forest fires and, ohmigosh, a genuine stop-and-go traffic signal. You can get off the roller coaster ride that was 2005, Betsteroids. A few more days and it’s all over except the mop up. Like what could happen between today and 12:01 a.m. Monday?

OK, scratch that. The way this year has gone, lots.

So knock twice, whistle in the dark and make prayers to the deity of your choice. As the samurai warriors say, “Expect nothing. Prepare for anything.” It’s the start of a bold new year here at just shy of Latitude 60 degrees.

Given the way the year has gone, who could be blamed for trying to forget it, perhaps with the assistance of ethanol based beverages? That might seem like a good idea about 10 p.m. Sunday night. Trust the Betster on this, though: come 10 a.m. Monday morning, you could be starting the year out with what will be some unpleasant memories. The unofficial Homer motto — quaint little drinking town, etc. — might not be the best guide to life, ya know?

Anyway, maybe 2005 hasn’t been so bad. A bad year in Homer beats a good year most anywhere else. Major weirdness aside, think about all the good that happened in your life this year — the adventures you had with good friends, the new things you learned and the continued joy that comes with living in one of the best places on earth. By that standard, 2006 ought to be a pretty dang good year. Turn the pages on the calendar, perhaps with some of these Best Bets:

BEST FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE FLICKS BET: It seems like every other week the Homer Theatre makes one of its movie showings a fund-raiser for some good cause. Friday night, it’s a double-feature. The 6 p.m. showing of “The Chronicles of Narnia” benefits West Homer Elementary School, and the 9 p.m. showing of “Good Night and Good Luck” benefits KBBI. A portion of the ticket price goes to these groups.

BEST MATCHMAKER BET: Somewhere out there might be your perfect match: a person who needs a blood marrow donor. A few years ago Drew Scalzi needed a donor. Now it’s Susan Butcher. Your marrow might give life to a championship musher — or maybe just a mom who wants to see her kids grow up. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday you can swing by South Peninsula Hospital and drop a few tablespoons of blood, part of a statewide marrow drive to recruit marrow donors.

BEST PEACE ON DUDES BET: Want to end the year with kind thoughts of peace? Saturday from 5 to 6 p.m. Kindness Without Borders holds a peace vigil in WKFL Park and will make a human peace sign. The local group asks people to wear warm clothes “and bring candles and a kind heart.”

BEST ARRIVE ALIVE BET: OK, suppose you do lose a little control New Year’s Eve. You definitely do not want to get behind the wheel and try to make it home on your own. Don’t despair: once again, Homer’s cab companies will get you home safely. They’re offering free rides in the general Homer area. A lot of the cabbies are volunteering their time, so be generous with your tips.