You are looking fine in 2009
Drink fine wine in 2009
Cubbies Vine in 2009
Toe the line in 2009
I have been making annual predictions in Kibbles for over a decade, so here’s an HTML version of this year’s gaze into that dusty MacPlus.
*SPORTS*
*MLB Baseball*
It’s this year, it really is! Chicago Cubs go all the way to the World Series and become world champs. I’m buying my traditional sports book ticket when I go to Vegas for CES next week. Count on it–this year is “next year;” Cubs over the Yankees in 6.
*NBA Basketball*
Boston Celtics World Champions–boy, do I like the sound of that. Yes, they will repeat, beating the Lakers in 7.
*NFL Football*
The Chicago Bears will find a new quarterback that will be their first all-pro since Sid Luckman.
*NHL Hockey*
OK, I won’t slam hockey this year; yearning for the days of Mikita, Hull, Hall and Moose Vasko, I am predicting that the Blackhawks will win the Stanley Cup.
*WEATHER*
Another good start to the winter, but temperatures will be unusually warm with little snow until mid-February with at least three dumps of over 2 feet this year. An early and dry spring will give way to a warm May and June, a wet July and a hot August. It will be one of the most brilliant fall foliage seasons. There will be an active hurricane season in the Caribbean Sea.
*POLITICS*
Barack Obama will embark on the most massive economic recovery in the history of the country, providing millions of new jobs and stimulating the creation of new industries for energy conservation, renewable energy product and electric cars.
A new spirit of bi-partisanship will allow Congress and the White House to work together to make progress on important issues like health care reform within the first 6 months of the administration.
Al Franken will finally win the disputed Minnesota Senate seat becoming the first avowed comedian in the US Senate.
*WORLD*
* The US will begin withdrawing troops from Iraq with less than 50,000 troops left by Christmas 2009.
* Troop build-up will continue until the fall when a cross-border attack with Predator drones makes a confirmed kill of Osama bin Laden.
* Troop strength will be reduced by Christmas with the strengthening of the Afghani government and the cut-off of support for that Taliban.
* Afghanistan will continue to demand attention and the US will learn what the Russians have learned before, that a hot war in Afghanistan is a morass.
* A renewed diplomatic effort, led by Hillary Clinton will result in an Isreali/ Palestinian 2-state solution but only after the Israeli army effectively dismantles Hamas.
* The USA will loosen the embargo on Cuba, allowing travel and free flow of capital. Cuba will become a renewed tourist destination for Americans.
*ECONOMY*
* Gas prices will reach a low of $1.40/gallon and then begin a sharp rise in the summer based both on increases in the gasoline tax and increases in demand.
* Energy efficiency will be the mantra of US car companies and they attempt to re-invent themselves with the help of taxpayer money. Development and production of more efficient vehicles will begin.
* The stock market will rally in January and February, decline in the spring and rebound by the end of the year. The Dow will break 10,000 by year-end.
* Unemployment will rise to to a national level of 8.8% by mid-year and will decline to below 6% by year-end.
*APPLE*
* Apple stock will recover with the economy and hit $175/share by July.
* Apple will continue to post record revenues and earnings despite the poor economy.
* Apple will introduce a netbook (something between an iPod touch and a MacBook Air)
* Apple will introduce at least one new form factor for Macs
* Apple will spend some of its $25 Billion in cash on an interesting acquisition.
* Apple will allow its top independent resellers to sell the iPhone.
*SMALL DOG ELECTRONICS*
* Small Dog Electronics will open one large and one small new store in 2009.
* Small Dog will post record revenues and profits.
* Small Dog Electronics will hold another successful eWaste event with over 150 tons recycled.
* Small Dog Electronics will win at least one prestigious award.
*PERSONAL*
* I will not wear a tie again this year
* I will see hippos in the wild
* I will not buy a new motorcycle
* I will lose 25 pounds and keep it off
