2013 - A Great Year?

Well, 2013 is drawing to a close.

Will we look back on the year with pleasure or with a sense of relief that it's all over?

Probably, as with all years, a bit of both.

But, however, you remember 2013 it was certainly a year which gave us plenty to talk about: funny, sad, outrageous and downright inspirational.  When I was looking back at some of the events of the year I was surprised that some of them were only in 2013 (I thought they were much longer ago) and other happenings which I remembered and Googled were 3 years ago!

So let's remember some of the things that happened last year.

There was a British (yes, British) winner at Wimbledon - the first for 7 decades and, generally it was a really good year for British sport, if you disregard the recent Ashes series.

We lost a few famous people during the year: Margaret Thatcher, Richard Briers, Michael Winner, David Frost, Peter O'Toole and, of course, Nelson Mandela.

We also gained a new member of the Royal Family.

There were bombings in Boston and Northern Ireland is getting fractious again.  In the Far East, there were threats from North Korea... have you seen the video with The White House in cross hairs?  It's very funny.

There were scandals about the use of the word 'Pleb' (haven't  they got anything better to argue about?) More importantly, the energy companies and the hike in charges they imposed.  Although, overall, politics and politicians were very bland.

The economic recovery is well underway and, according to the BBC Britain will be Europe's largest economy by 2030 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25519110

The weather has caused massive issues both here and abroad.  Remember the devastating cyclones that hit the Philippines and Bangladesh... whilst Australia experienced the hottest January on record.  In the UK we had a fabulous summer but seem to be paying for it with wild Atlantic storms.

2013 seems determined to leave with a roar.

So, what about 2014..?

Wow: there's so much to think about.

Sports wise: there's a World Cup (probably) in Brazil.  Closer to home, the Commonwealth Games are in Glasgow.  And let's not forget the Winter Olympics kicking off in Sochi, in just a few weeks.

There's a massive shake up in Formula 1 with the old 2.4 litre engines being replaced with 1.6 litre Power Trains that make much more use of technology to get more power whilst using much smaller amounts of fuel. Does that mean Formula 1 is more than just a spectacles and is useful in terms of researcher for everyday motorists?

In Economics the recovery should really kick in and we should see a huge return in business confidence. Private businesses should finally take up the slack in terms of jobs, compensating for those lost from the public sector.  It will very likely be SMEs - you and I - who become the real force in the employment market.

However, there are likely to be some 'issues' with big business with more outrage about fees, costs and expenses being passed on to the everyday punter.   Just remember the vast sums of money being raised by councils from parking fines.

But it's political events, or rather, one political event that is going to define 2014 for the UK and, potentially the next few hundred years for us in Scotland.  The Referendum on Thursday 18th September could either herald massive change, upheaval and a new chapter in Scottish history...

Or...

It could just be talked about for a week on the news before fading from memory.

But, even more important than the referendum... we may get a tram moving in the centre of Edinburgh... with passengers!

Unlikely, I know, but there we go.

All in all, then, there's a lot to look forward to in 2014.  As always, though, it's the events that hit us from 'left field' that we're probably going to be talking about this time next year.

A Christmas Joke

Happy festives to you me hearties.

This week I thought I'd mark me return to the blogsphere with a little Christmas Joke for you:

Two peasants were walking along the street in communist Russia many years ago.

They were only half way home when it started to sleet.

Mrs Nureyev held out her hand and looked at her husband.  'Ah... it is a terrible thing that it has started to snow, da?'

Mr Nureyev looked at his wife as though a stoat had just grown out of her left ear.  'You foolish woman,' says he.  'This is not snow, it is rain.'

At this point a full domestic row ensued, almost coming to blows.

But suddenly, round the corner came a well known figure: a prominent member of the Communist Party and an important man in the town.

Mr Nureyev leans over to his wife and says, 'Let's ask the Party for a ruling in this matter.'  To which the Mrs agrees.

'Excuse me Comrade Rudolph,' begins the now slightly damp peasant.

'Yes, what is it?'  Barks the Party member.

'Ah, my wife and I were having a little disagreement about whether it was snowing or raining and we thought the Party might be able to give us an official ruling to clear up the matter once and for all.'

Comrade Rudolph looks at the couple and sniffs before holding out his hand to gauge the sleet that was still falling.

'It is rain!'  He declares and stalks off into the night.

'You see,' says Mr Nureyev, turning triumphantly to his wife before announcing, 'Rudolph the red knows rain dear!'

Happy Christmas darling ones and I'll be back with another Christmas cracker in a week or so!