If you are reading this column, welcome to 2013, which promises to be another crazy year. All we know is by this time next year there will be many changes in your life. So expect the unexpected and be prepared for anything.
That’s the Boys Scouts motto and it is more relevant today than ever before. Thank you Lord Baden Powell.
Many are still skeptical about climate change theories. Well, we don’t have to go far to experience strange weather patterns. And hopefully we do not experience one of those horrendous storms here on the “wet” coast. We have seen what is happening around the world and do not need to experience such tragedy here. Yes “the big one” will come one day – but there will not be a major earthquake here in 2013.
Predicting used to be a science and all the so-called experts would use reasonable data from the past to predict the future. There used to be a semblance of “common sense” involved. But now the world is changing so quickly, writers who like to make predictions are finding it more difficult – if not impossible.
Who would have predicted the hockey strike would go on so long? When hockey resumes there will be a real backlash that will hurt the game forever. It is ironic that Presidents and Prime Ministers would be dragged into the discussions when they can’t solve their own labour problems. But if there is a Stanley Cup in 2013, few will really care who the winner is, especially if it only involves American teams.
The Blue Jays are trying to buy a championship baseball team and make a winner out of Toronto. Not going to happen but at least they are trying. The Detroit Tigers should win next year.
Predicting the winner of this year’s Super Bowl is impossible the way the NFL season has gone. But much as I would love to see the Seattle Seahawks in the final gridiron battle, San Francisco appears too strong and the likely winner. If the Miami Heat stay healthy, they will repeat as NBA champions. They are so talented.
The B.C. election in May is turning out to be a real horse race. Predicting a winner will be like betting on a race. You think you are backing a winner and can end up last. This one should be a real photo finish so make sure you get out and vote this year.
In 2013, communication is becoming a major skill we all must master. There are more mobile phones than ever but people are talking to each other less. These hand held devices are mini-computers and talking seems to be less and less a function of those devices and a way to communicate. It is mostly being done by messaging.
So that means we all have to resolve to go with the flow – otherwise be left far behind – and in some cases, wondering what happened and why nobody calls anymore.
Learning to use some form of social media and becoming Internet savvy is just a start. Yes many living the golden years of their lives have resisted the computer world. But you will have to learn to communicate in today’s terms or you will begin to feel left out. If you are not on someone’s list as a “friend” or “follower”, there will be a lot less information coming your way.
It is really the business world that is driving the process. In the guise of efficiency and saving the environment, everyone is being forced to go online – and purchase newer and faster products. So if you don’t take the time to learn – or are still too stubborn, you will have to find someone to help you. It’s the new way. And by this time next year Facebook and Twitter will be replaced by a “hotter” system that everyone has connected on.
Interest rates should not go up. Financial institutions are making record profits and their market shares are at year-end highs. So there is no reason to raise rates, which would be especially harmful to seniors on fixed incomes. But you can be sure gas prices will go up. The gas companies and governments, who get more taxes from the higher prices, will continue to gauge us daily. Again technology and electronic reader boards have made it easier to change prices instantly. Don’t expect any relief this year.
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As we are all a year older now, we can better appreciate these wise words: “Aging is an inevitable process. I surely wouldn’t want to grow younger. The older you become the more you know; your bank account of knowledge is much richer.”
William Holden
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Here’s to good health and more wealth in 2013.