A THOUSAND MONKEYS
A look ahead to 2012
By Blake Wolfe/The Scugog Standard

Same disclaimer as last week, about writing a single cohesive column, so instead here are some ‘Predictions for the coming year,’ each neatly packaged into its respective category:

World events
_-The world economy will still suck. Get used to it.
_-Europe will continue its downward financial spiral, yet somehow manage to stay afloat.
_-There will be more international uprisings like those in Egypt and Tunisia; more of the little apparent immediate change in those countries.
_-Iran will remain in the headlines. So will the tip-toeing around said nation by the international community.

Politics
_-There will be more changes here at home as a majority Conservative government pushes through all those policies they’ve wanted to for the last five years. Could be a very different Canada by the next election.
_-Across the border, there will be another four years for Obama in November, but only by a slim margin. However, that’s dependent on whether there’s a Republican challenger that wasn’t pulled from a carnival sideshow.
Technology/science/etc.
_-We’re about due for another social media outlet - any takers?
_-Research In Motion will continue its decline, but won’t die. Anything’s possible. Anyone remember Apple during the mid-90s?

Showbiz
_-After 20-odd years, The Simpsons will finally depart the airwaves amid money squabbles from the main cast. True fans of the series will remember the show’s second decade mostly as a bad dream, but will continue to buy every subsequent home video release.
_-Lady Gaga will say/do/wear/eat something stupid or offensive. Somebody somewhere will still care. Not me.
_-Rumours will continue to swirl around a Star Wars TV series, long after anyone outside of the hardcore sci-fi community stopped believing it could actually happen and/or be watchable.

Sports
_-The recent MLSE ownership shake-up will mean nothing for the Leafs in the win department. Team profitability and fan commitment/delusion will remain at an all-time high. The cycle will continue.
_-Canadians will sigh their way through 2012 Summer Olympics; biding our time until 2014 ushers in a new rash of fervour caused by high potential for international hockey victory.

Around town
_-With all the attention the issue has been getting lately, expect solar farms to be the new commercial fill.
_-Tax increases for 2012 are also a hot topic, but making a prediction about this bone of contention is neither sporting, original or necessary.
At home
_-We will be preparing over the next four months for the arrival of Baby No. 2, who will be making his or her debut at the end of April. This includes teaching a two-year-old - who is even more excited about the arrival of a younger sibling than she was about the arrival of Santa just past - how to be a good big sister.
In general

_It will be an interesting 12 months.