The Less and More of 2009

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Another year huh...

As the final year of the noughties nears, it's hard not to think about what's being left in 2008 and what might happen in 2009. So I've been thinking about things I'd rather see left behind in 08, and things I'd like to see more of in 09.

Bad news first of course....

Less:

1. Celebs drink driving- clearly a) we know what they look like and b) the cops would like to use them as an example to everyone else - so why do they do it? It's either because they reckon they won't be caught or they don't like paying for a taxi or a driver..... So celebs- stop doing it because it's just plain annoying, never mind dangerous...

2. 'R' word whining by people who can change things- Cowen, the government, shop owners, builders.... stop whining about people not spending money on overpriced things. People won't feel the need to go to Newry if you lower prices and lower the VAT rate. As for the builders trying to sell overpriced houses for €1.8/2 million- be realistic, you're not going to get the €1.5m profit you were planning on, so just sell those empty houses for a reasonable price and start repaying those bank loans.

3. Spencer Pratt still in our lives- of The Hills fame - the Speidi union is bad enough and Heidi isn't that bad, but her keeping Spencer as a boyfriend when he behaves worse than a small child is criminal. The world has never seen such an immature young man. Having created trouble by the bucketload with Heidi's best mate Lauren Conrad, Spencer now can't sit still unless he's making people pick 'a ship' to be on, and ranting about how much he hates the lovely Lauren. Go away Spencer!!!

4. High level people getting bonuses for not much/bad work- I'm looking at the banking sector here- getting a salary is generous enough for the mess that's been created and overseen by some of these people- but bonuses and lavish Christmas parties are just plain ridiculous.

5. Recession talk- it probably wouldn't be this bad if we didn't keep talking about it. Enough already, lets get the confidence going again.

In better news I could do well from seeing MORE...

1. Price reductions and better value- possibly the only benefit of the downturn is that we're seeing more reasonable prices, prices that we should have been paying all along. With the Sterling at rock bottom its good to see retailers finally having to reduce prices to more reasonable levels.

2. Cheap(er) oil- today a barrel of oil cost US$39, pretty good when compared to 2007's closing price of $96 a barrel. But while it's all good news as we enter 2009, and we can continue to drive the gas guzzling SUV's that certain sectors of Irish society seem to love, we have to face the fact that in the not too distant future our oil supply may dry up. Soon enough it could be back on your bicycles, so enjoy the comfort of the car until then!

3. Sunshine- We've been shivering for weeks now but at least there's been less rain than usual. So for 2009 can we please request more sun, less rain and higher temperatures.

4. Decent leadership from people like Obama- the year 2008 will probably be best remembered for the US Presidential election that brought us Barack Obama. A complete breath of fresh air Obama turned everything we thought we knew about US Presidents on it's head. Already admired by people and leaders around the world, his leadership and vision is something leaders at home and abroad should emulate. 2009 will be the year this man gets to show off his real flair.

5. Peace- some of the prosperity we enjoyed over the last decade may be gone, but at least we appear to be living in a peaceful Ireland. A time where people freely crossed the border simply to buy things cheaper is an amazing achievement given the situation just ten years ago.

I'm sure there's millions of more less and more's to think of, those above are just a few that I've been thinking of... feel free to add more ideas in the comments.....

Happy New Year!