The Year Ahead

It's tricky to get over just how excited and optimistic I am about 2008.

I won't go into the personal side of why the above is the case but beside that we have an SNP Government riding as high as it could dream, beating Labour in Holyrood polls and, amazingly, UK Westminster polls.

There is the Olympics to come (an event I hope to see first hand), the Euro 2008 finals, more Edinburgh Festival shenanigans, domestic and international travel is as cheap and readily available as ever, people in Scotland seem more into food and sports and cultural events than I had noticed before and people just seem happier in general. I spent Hogmanay on Princes St and it was such a good atmosphere down there, great banter with the locals selling Scotland to the tourists every few yards or so with their charm. And I happened to be sober so I'm not typing through Buckfast-tinted glasses.

Looking further afield, particularly with the American Elections in mind where I really, really hope Barack Obama eventually wins out, I just have this feeling we're on the cusp of a very special era, a real coming together of people from far and wide and a willingness to mix and learn with those who have different backgrounds as much as possible. We have all seen the rapid transfer of people across the globe over the past decade or so and I truly believe that we are about to reap the maximum dividends that such diversity will bring all over the world. Dare I say it but could 2008 be the year that Iraq finds a modicum of calm and Palestinians and Israelis finally find a lasting settlement?

To typify my worldly good feelings, over Christmas I went out for a dinner with some work colleagues, colleagues who just happened to be working on the same client I had been on. Well, of the 9 of us, the following countries were represented: USA, Belgium, Hong Kong, Australia, UK, Indonesia, Colombia and Egypt. Pretty much all the continents sitting round eating pizzas and having a fantastic night out together. Maybe that's not such a big deal for some and it may even be an aggravation for others but I couldn't help think it was pretty cool as I loudly proclaimed at the time in my somewhat wine-sodden state.

And, as I look across to Edinburgh Castle, my festive spirit is boosted even further as it's decided to snow.

Bring on 2008, I expect great things for one and all!