Year-end Tired

2009 is a year that has just about beat me into submission. All was not doom-and-gloom, certainly, but a shaky economy, political wranglings, and reality television has just worn me out. I'm tired of all of it. No wonder I bury my head in a book or Turner Classic Movies.

I can live out the rest of my days with renewed energy if I never have to hear another word about (in no particular order):

1. Massive bonuses for executives of financial institutions shored up by my tax dollars. It's obvious these fat-cats will always find a way to collect big-time, so don't keep telling me about it unless you plan to do something to stop it. I'd rather not know.
2. "Twilight," or any other lame vampire series with pale-faced, angst-riddled, laughably bad actors. I'll stick with vampire classics starring the likes of  Bela Lugosi and Sarah Michelle Gellar, thank you very much.
3. Michael Jackson. He's dead. This surprised you? Where have you been for the last 20 years?
4. Reality shows featuring families with 8 or more children. Stop it. Where are the children's services people? Having lots and lots of babies qualifies you for nothing except a series of classes on birth control.
5. Reality shows, period. I'm even willing to give up the ones I watch, like Top Chef, to get back to the days of well-written story-driven programs starring actual actors. I believe the decline and fall of civilization will be appropriately placed at the feet of reality TV.
6. Recession, bankruptcy, foreclosure. For lots of complicated reasons, the economy tanked. No one seems to agree on what happened, who's to blame, or how to learn from it and move forward. I feel sad and scared for folks laid off from work, anyone who had to declare bankruptcy, or people who lost their homes in the mess. There but for the grace of God . . . But I don't want to keep hearing about it.
7. Talk show pundits. Whether Hannity or Olbermann, just shut up.You make things worse, not better. You do not clarify a thing. You use spurious information and jib-jabber to ramp up the noise, hate, and distrust. You should go the way of reality TV. To the moon!
8. Priuses and anything by Apple. Ohhhhhh, the smugness of your owners! I can SO do without it. And don't tell me you're smug for good reason. It's only a good reason in your own head.
9. Anglican Communion wars. Will it split? Won't it split? Blah, blah, blah.
10. Politicians in general, but specifically: Sarah Palin, Joe Lieberman, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, and, yes, even Barak Obama. I've had it with all y'all. Granted, anything's better than Bush-Cheney, but I'm not a bit impressed by any of you. Stop grand-standing and get to work!

No wonder I'm tired. I promise to reflect on the positive things of 2009 later, but I needed to get the soul-draining stuff out of my system. I'm looking forward to a bright, shiny New Year, where everyone behaves, the economy booms, and we practice a little peace on earth and goodwill, or at least civility and common sense. Gin, anyone?