Well, it�s that time of the year again. The usual number of prognosticators, soothsayers and mind readers are emerging from their cocoons to tantalize us with those irritating lists, which attempt to capture what was best in the past year and what we can expect in 2009. While reading these lists I sometimes feel that I am living in a parallel universe! My question is: does anyone really put any credence in these lists which the media treats as if they were inscribed on tablets delivered to us by Moses? Comedian George Carlin said it best: �Nobody seems to notice nobody seems to care�! Well said George and count me in that category!

Inevitably we have a list of the �Best Movies of the Year� and of course the people who categorize this list always throw in a couple of movies that we the unwashed have never seen nor even heard of. This in some fashion is to separate us from these all-knowing movie gurus, at least in their mind. Case in point are two cinematic offerings that were on the list that I suspect few noticed - - �Boy A� and of course what must be the twin of this epic � �Planet B Boy�. The former is the story of a young lad just released from prison for a murder he committed as a young child � the latter about the �vibrant global resurgence of break-dancing with compelling characters and vibrant dance�. Makes you want to jump in your car and purchase a couple of movie ducats right now doesn�t it? Give me a break!

Then we have to be subjected to Barbara Walter�s �Most Fascinating People of the Year�. Obviously we are running out of fascinating people when Will Smith and Tom Cruise have to be resuscitated again for another appearance. Of course Barbara had to outdo herself by introducing us to Thomas Beatie. You know Beatie of course as the woman er, man, er woman who is pregnant with her, er his, second child. Beatie describes his situation as the �traditional family�. Beatie and his so-called spouse must have missed the Sesame Street episode when the letter of the day was �H� and the word was �hogwash�!

Let�s not ignore the �ins and outs� list, which informs us what we should wear, buy, drink, or watch in 2009. Do I care that cashmere is �in� and wool is �out�? Must I succumb to the suggestion that wine is the drink of choice and Bud Lite is pass�? Just don�t eliminate my Gatorade and I will be content! And here�s one for you senior citizens. Guess what? Retirement is �out� and working behind the counter at McDonalds is �in�. On the other hand what with the state of our 401.k�s maybe that is not too far from the truth!

And in so far as predictions for 2009 there are numerous dealing with global warming, Victoria Beckham becoming pregnant and Oprah Winfield running another marathon but here is my favorite: seems that the �real� Saddam Hussein will emerge from his spider hole and emerge again as the leader of Iraq. If that�s the case maybe Barbara Walters will consider him the most fascinating person of 2009! Excuse me while I nauseate!

So all in all 2009 looks like another fascinating year at least in the minds of the media. As for me, I�m ready to crawl into Hussein�s spider hole once he emerges. Call me again when the year is over!

Bill Kalmar

Former Director of the Michigan Quality Council

Lake Orion MI 48360

248-393-2633