Richard Method

Ok, since every tech, finance and programming blog that I read is doing a 2010 prediction post, I figured I could also.

I’m going to do mine a bit different and break things down by subject. Here it goes.

PERSONAL
1. Barring any unforeseen events, like a KFC opening next door to my apartment, I will lose around 50+ pounds this year. 

2. My Spanish studying will start to take hold and I may actually have a complete conversation with someone in Spanish.

3. I won’t lose my job.

4. By the end of the year, I’ll have most, if not all of my credit cards paid off.

5. Fighting my ADD tooth and nail, I will become more organized and will actually achieve some goals.

6. There is at least a 50/50 chance I might actually have sex this year. Miracles do happen.

7. I will have at least one tragedy happen to me.

8. I will go on at least one date. (See no. 7)

ECONOMY
Ok. Here’s where things get depressing

1. Xmas sales will be seen as being pretty bad and a small to mid size bankruptcy wave of various retails stores will occur. This will of course increase unemployment, which I don’t see going below 9 percent.

2. As the year drags on, the belief that we are in a recovery will fall apart creating the distinct possibility of another recession.

3. Either California or New York, perhaps both, will declare some type of fiscal emergency. I don’t think that there is legal precedent for a state to actually file for bankruptcy, but any emergency fiscal action will be seen as such.

4. Greece, Japan and maybe Britain will do the same.

5. Consumer spending will stay flat for most of the year.

THE NATION

1. A major terror attack will occur.

2. The President will bow to at least 3 more people.

3. The phrase Jimmy Carter 2.0 will begin to take hold as President Obama continues to wonder through the darkness.

4. Taxes, in one form or another, will be going up.

5. The Republicans will sweep the mid-terms providing some much needed balance in Washington.

THE WORLD

1. Israel and/or America will bomb the nuclear sites in Iran. Iran will then retaliate by attacking various oil wells which will send oil prices through the roof. This will occur only if Iran isn’t overthrown by it’s citizens, which is looking more and more likely everyday.

2. The fraud of climate change will begin to take hold and the nations will not pass any type of significant climate legislation.

3. Afghanistan will be brutal for a while, but will calm down towards the end of the year.

MEDIA

1. At least one major newspaper will go out of business.

2. Media and Entertainment companies, seeing the futility of business plans based on advertising, will start charging for various content. Look for subscription type business models.

3. The “mainstream media” will continue it’s decline into obscurity.

4. Expect more scandals like Climate Gate.

5. At least one reporter will have an on-air orgasm while talking about President Obama.