This post is somber but short.

More and more of my friends are losing their jobs these days. Gone are the days of me feeling sorry for myself for my low wages. I'm appreciative as anything for any wages at all, lowly or otherwise. More and more, I'm the lucky one. Yikes to that.

Come on, 2009. We're all counting on you. My informal poll indicates that hardly anyone I know has been pleased with how 2008 went down for them. I ask about highlights and get some heartwarming answers, but the overall take on the year is that it was an exceptionally tough one.

Well, if it don't kill ya, it makes ya stronger, right? Leaner and meaner, right? Here's hoping. I'm always hoping.