As 2009 comes to a close in less than 10 hours, it is not only a new year that will begin, but also a new decade. We will say good-bye to what has been most commonly been referred to as the 2000's and enter into the 10's. What will 2010-2019 bring us? So much has changed in the last 10 years, and it appears as if society is only going to continue to expand and get more complicated as time continues.
Over the last 10 years we have seen many significant events take place both in our country and across the world, in sports and in entertainment, and even in my own life. We have had 3 presidents: Clinton (for less than a month), Bush (for 8 years), and Obama (for almost one year). September 11, 2001, changed our nation and world forever. Since then airport security has been enhanced, and recently another terrorist attempt has been seen reminding us that we are not done fighting against terror. The decade is ending just like it began.
Before 2000 most people did not use Google, did not have cell phones everywhere they went, did not have fast personal computers, and did not have IPods or other Mp3s. Even gaming systems were different, the N64 being the latest for Nintendo. VHS tapes were still popular as DVDs were just beginning to come out, and now as the decade ends we are shifting to Blue Ray and 3D movies at the theater. Most notably about the decade was Y2K, which never happened. Can you believe 10 years ago today, that was our major concern?
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, and that has not been the only natural disaster of the decade. Typhoons, tidal waves, earthquakes, and tornadoes have killed millions across the world, as we have seen some of the worst of nature over the last few years. 2005 was a record year for Atlantic Hurricanes, and since then tornadoes have come in record numbers across America. 2008 marked my one and only experience with a tornado.
In sports, the Patriots have dominated the NFL this decade, whereas Jimmie Johnson has dominated NASCAR in the second half of the decade. We lost Dale Earnhardt at the beginning of the 2000's along with several other drivers in similar situations. College football has been filled with controversy as the BCS rankings began to become less favorable as the years ticked away, and for Tennessee fans, this decade marked the end of Phil Fulmer in Knoxville. There were 4 Olympic Games as well, think of Shaun White or Michael Phelps.
Celebrities have also made the headlines, but not in good ways, over the last 10 years. Who will forget names like Anna Nicole Smith, Lindsey Lohan, Brittney Spears, Michael Jackson, Tiger Woods, Jon and Kate, Tom Cruise (the couch), and the list could go on and on. Whether it was death or drugs, divorce or child custody battles, celebrities have had their names in the headlines, and that will not change.
This list is far from exhaustive. It would be impossible to list everything that has occurred in this decade. But just sitting here thinking back makes me realize that this decade consists of almost half of my life, and there have been things that have happened in these 10 years that altered my life forever. 9/11 changed us all, but other than that, there are so many personal things that have occurred as well.
I hope you are ready for the new year and the new decade. But take a moment and think about what these last 10 years consisted of in your life. How did the news headlines change your life, and what personal things occurred. It is always good to reflect back on your life, so take a moment to do that before 2010 gets here.
As for the blog, hopefully 2010 will be a new start. December has been a waste on here. With school, work, and Christmas, I did not find anytime to write. So one New Years' Resolution I may have this next year is to get back to writing more. See you next year!
Matt
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