It was interesting to see a full-page ad in the New York Times this morning for the “Choose Kind” campaign. It’s part of the marketing for a new book aimed at young adults called “Wonder,” which my daughter devoured a few months ago.

Well it’s the last day of the year, the perfect time to look back at the headlines that we forwarded to friends, chatted about at the water cooler and made 2012 a year to remember.

Saturday Night Live broke with tradition over the weekend to honor the victims of the Newtown school shooting, beginning its show with a somber New York City Children’s Chorus singing “Silent Night.”

The chorus was “Hallelujah, Sandy Screw Ya.” The lyrics from Adam Sandler at last night’s 12/12/12 concert provided a surprisingly comprehensive look back at the news events of the past year in New York City.

And the award for oddest Christmas video goes to…John Travolta. Twitter was abuzz with the letters “WTF” yesterday after the actor teamed up with his Grease co-star Olivia newton John to release a Christmas album. (The duo also gets points for the worst album cover of the year.)  The first single, accompanied by a bizarre low-budget music video, has just been released and there are so many odd things about it—besides the fact that it’s their first collaboration in decades and they come up with a song that I could have written—that Vulture put together a top ten list.

Want to read about what I spend my day reading? You’re in luck. I recently divulged my media diet to the folks at the Atlantic Wire, who were nice enough to call me “New York’s favorite Canadian.” I walk through my In the Papers preparation and discuss the various columnists I find indispensable.

College Humor has done it again. Their new single “Look at this Instagram” has had me laughing all morning. Recorded as a Nickelback parody, it features two growly Instagram addicts showing off their feeds: Puttin’ glases on a cat/I’m the first one to think of that; Everyone look at my feet/Get jealous that I’m at the beach.

Pat and his team are taking a long weekend to prepare for the holidays. There will be no Pat’s Picks Friday, November 30 or Monday, December 3. We’ll be back to our regular schedule on Tuesday, December 4th. See you then!

Today’s Starbucks Alter Ego comes from Tracie. We’re not sure what she was wearing when this photo was snapped, but apparently, she looked a little green to the barista on duty.