2009 quite literally began and ended with a trip to Hawaii – twice in one year. We went there in December of 2008 through to the 2009 New Year and in November of 2009. Interesting bookends to an intriguing and intense year.
We spent a lot of time in 2009 flogging the Anti-Olympic 2010 message. And however many other folks were doing that as well, we managed to top the Google Canada count on angry IOC and VANOC missives.
Which means nothing. Which is to say that we might as well never have said a word about the Olympic movement, the Olympic spirit or any of that other imaginary nonsense.
I am now wincing, twisting my face up, uttering… Must… not… launch… into… yet… another… 2010… rant…
In one year I have spoken to hundreds of people about the Olympic movement and I only encounter 2 folks that were positive about it.
And one of those folks was actually in Vanoc. Now that’s funny.
So. Did I make a difference? Yes. No. Not likely. Maybe.
In the year 2009, I got a gig writing for EAT Magazine. I mean, who in their right mind would not like to get paid to eat great food and wax poetic about victuals? Count me in. So apparently I pumped out a few delectable gems because they keep asking me back – and I do enjoy the pitch and the opportunity of working with a hard-nosed editor and collection of chefs and aspiring foodies – which leaves me completely out of my league.
In 2009, I warned the population of Canada that Swine flu or H1N1 would be about as infectious and virulent as Rigelian Fever and I was right. 30 infections per 100,000 persons. We are past the worst of it and the health-care industry is still going on about it.
In 2009, air travel was about as pleasant as a Colonoscopy and virtually indistinguishable from said procedure – and yet we had no troubles flying almost 1/2 way around the Planet. Won’t fly Air Canada again if I can help it. Air Canada’s contribution to pleasurable air travel is equivalent to the Ford Pinto’s donation to safe motoring. As courteous and sympathetic as a North Korean border guard, Air Canada set a new standard in 2009 for leaving passengers in the proverbial darkness.
Hang on folks – Chapter three is only hours away!