Kick 2009 out - now!

Good bye and good riddance to a bad decade.

And a bad year.

Yup, the first decade of the 21st Century was awful. Stupid politicians from both sides of the aisle, horrendous terrorist attacks, a flailing economy, reality shows - you name it, it was awful.

Decades seldom end when they are supposed to. Usually, some pivotal event marks the start of the decade. We could surely agree that the 1940s began on Dec. 7, 1941, with the bombing of Pearl Harbor and we could argue that the 60s really began on Nov. 22, 1963. The first decade of this century probably started on Sept. 11, 2001.

Who can tell when the twenty-teens will really begin.

For me, they begin in 55 minutes. (Yes, I a spending New Year's Eve surfing the Web.)

Too many bad things befell my friends in 2009. I talk about this on my other blog. Let's not belabor it. But really, let's get this decade over with. Now.

As I noted in the previous post, my husband and I celebrate 20 years of marriage on Dec. 28. I realize this is no small feat. But in looking back, I really think the world was a more interesting place then, the year we married.

We've lost so much. I was shocked a few weeks ago to read the Editor & Publishing was shutting down. This is the bible for people in the newspaper business. So many newspapers fold this year, and in 2008. Fortunately, the closures were mostly in two-paper towns. Just imagine what will happen if we lose the press: Who will shed light on secrecy in government and who will hold elected officials accountable? (Oh, no, don't let me get started on elected officials!)

The loss of so many of my favorite lifestyle magazines - County Home, Cottage Living, Victoria - hits home, too, because these were the book I looked forward to finding in my mailbox after a bad day. Victoria was revived two years ago by another publisher who clearly has no inkling of how to produce a literate and layered publication. Lay the two magazines side by side, and be sure to compare the early years of Victoria (1987-200) and you will see what I mean.

As someone who daily works to create a healthier economy (and a seasoned shopper), I'm bothered by all the small retail outlets that have closed in the past 10 years or so. There were shops that smelled of cinnamon and vanilla where a girl could buy frou-frou stuff when she needed a lift: Sachets, candles, linens and whatnot. Gone, so many of them.

OK, I will stop there. You don't need to read any whining. We've lost jobs, we've lost industries, and we've seen people lose their homes and their bank accounts.

Out of this loss, I hope will come much innovation and ingenuity and a return to simpler times.

I still have hope.

Welcome, 2010. I'll drink to that.