Greetings for 2009

I'd like to wish you many happy returns in the new year, in everything you stake an interest in.
Personally, I'll settle for slightly better returns at the stock market.

New Year Seethings

On January 1, 2008, I received a ton of messages wishing me well for the next 364 days. All along predictable lines, boring as hell. "May Father Time shower you with prosperity and happiness during every minute of the ... blah blah blah blah ... belch."

Finally when I thought I had seen the last of them, another one rang the bell on my phone. It was from a friend of several years, Pritam Shetty. A man whose reputation for a wicked sense of humour went miles before him.

His message read thus.

"To all those who last year sent me best wishes for 2007, well it didn't fucking work!!! So for 2008 could you please send me money, alcohol or car keys."

I thanked him for making my day.

New year resolutions and the health of the fitness industry.

Gym memberships always figure high on the list of resolutions for the new year. And not surprisingly, those in the business of melting fat and building muscle are busy throwing up offers and schemes to rake in the moolah from the new born fitness freak.

A month down the line, the enthusiasm to climb out of bed at 6 in the morning wanes. The nip in the air, and the warm blanket that envelopes you, simply refuses to let you climb out and join a long queue of middle-heavy, middle aged men waiting to board the treadmill. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

So there it is. Another year in which you contribute to the fitness industry's fitness by staying home. And come next January, you'll find a reminder in your mailbox asking you to renew your membership to avail long term savings.

Happy new year sucker.