2009

Happy New Year!

I know many of you are thinking that 2008 was a strange, troubled and difficult year. For many, that is true.

As has been the case with every recession since 1987, Alaska has been spared the worst of it. Our economy is in reasonably good shape; we still have $30+ billion in the state's savings account, even with the shrinkage created by the falling stock & real estate markets. We're doing okay.

My prayer for each of you is that 2009 will be a year dominated by better times, and a strengthening economy. I know many of the pundits would have you believe that things won't get better until 2010, but these are the same people who were talking about how good things were, just a few months ago. Gee ... they're almost as accurate as the Weather Service (insert snickering here).

It's -12 degrees at 11:20 a.m., and Accu-Hunch is insisting we'll warm up to 0 today. Let's see ... blue skies, sunshine, temps 20 degrees below normal. Oh yes, clearly we're in for a warm-up. Yeah, right.

UPDATE: Okay, they got one right. It's up to -1 at 1:00 p.m. So they got lucky.

Anyway, enjoy your day, and remember to live well, love well, and laugh long and hearty. It's the only year we have, so let's make the most of it!