With 2010 in the past, it's time to look ahead to 2011.
Here are a few predictions:
-- At least one New Year's resolution will be broken before this column hits the streets today. That's the main reason I no longer make them.
-- Facebook philosophers will type phrases like: "A successful diet is the triumph of mind over platter;" "Some things are better left unsaid ... Just sayin';" "The wastes of life will waste away, don't concern yourself with the cleanup;" "It's not easy being me. In fact, most people can't do it! :-);" "Do you know what really makes me smile? Facial muscles." Hopefully that didn't offend anyone (can a managing editor use LOL or JK in a column so readers will know he is being facetious?).
-- Facebook fanatics will share their every move, allowing their 900 "friends" to keep track of each waking emotion, experience and trivial future plan from what's for supper to being at a particular place. They will spend more time on Facebook than doing something productive ... like actually working at the office.
-- Someone reading this will get the wrong impression I have something against Facebook. And they will "delete me."
-- Someone will win the lottery and millions of others will wish they had picked different numbers. I think that's already happened this year, come to think of it.
-- Text messaging will be all the rage. Remember you heard it here first.
-- A writer will think he's witty ... and he's the only one.
-- Republicans and Democrats will reach across the aisle on an issue or two, then shortly thereafter blame each other for the country's ills.
-- The economy will be a big issue is 2011, locally and nationally. By year's end, hopefully it will be headed in the right direction and unemployment figures will dip in Blytheville, Mississippi County and nationally.
-- There will be a rebel rouser or two to challenge new Blytheville Mayor James Sanders and his new-look City Council. That's a good thing. Governmental officials should be questioned and taken to task by citizens. Their job is to find the solutions to what concerns the electorate, not simply announce them as some recent ones were infamous for doing.
-- Code enforcement will continue to be a hot-button issue in Blytheville. Hopefully the city will find revenue sources to get rid of the eyesores that host all types of unwelcome varmints and the criminal element.
-- Local organizations will continue their generosity, and programs like Ignite will meet the needs of the less fortunate.
-- The SEC will win another national championship. OK, that was a little too predictable.
-- No reporter covering the Razorbacks will wear an Ohio State hat or Terrelle Pryor jersey to a press conference ... or Florida Gator gear, for that matter.
-- Bobby Petrino will order a big case of Stickum. Too soon?
-- Some obscure team will bust up brackets during March Madness.
-- The Yankees will try to buy another World Series championship ... and Yankee haters will hope they fail miserably.
-- Someone will say -- over and over -- "I can't believe it's almost Christmas. Where did the year go?"
-- Readers will be thankful this is the second to last line.
I hope everyone has a prosperous 2011.
mbrasfield@couriernews