Borders shift, fortunes fall, colors fade, lovers drift, spouses hang by the thread of that dotted line.

NPR: Our Lives Are Ephemeral

And if you procrastinate, those remaining colors will fade further, or even degrade entirely.

FORBES: Fading History: Vintage Films And Photos Crumbling To Dust

It hasn't been just new projects that are making headlines: In November, even the Empire State Building got a makeover, when the owners installed a new LED light system whose millions of colors can ripple, cross-fade, strobe and burst in time to the tunes of Alicia Keys or a special New Year's show.

WSJ: On the Rise With High Rises