By DAVID LEWIS [email protected]
David Lewis lives in Praia da Luz with his wife Shirley, and two children, Ollie and Fraser. Having spent more than 25 years in the City of London, he is now Financial Services Manager with the Oceânico Group.
As if you hadn’t already noticed, Christmas is just around the corner and it is the time of year when we start to think about the new dawn that lies ahead.
Given the sort of year that most of us have just experienced (and, believe me, ours has been more interesting than most), I suspect we are all looking forward to a slightly better 12 months than the last. Which got me thinking: just what should I wish for in 2010?
Now, those of you who know me (and those who can already tell from the picture at the top of this article), my list of New Year resolutions will usually start with an absolute commitment to lose some weight and start doing a little more exercise.
Those of you who really know me will be aware that my good intentions last until approximately the third week of January when the advent of my birthday (note the subtle hint everyone) usually brings about a return to the excellent over-indulgence which sees me through the remaining 49 weeks of the year.
That’s the problem with my New Year Resolutions, you see – they nearly always involve a commitment to resolve deep-seated, personal deficiencies that have lasted me, quite happily, for years.
Admirable objectives to lose some weight, do more exercise, save more money, learn a language (falo Português um pouco) or reduce my golf handicap. None of which I have managed to achieve over the past 50 years, which is why, every year, they always fail. Old dog, new tricks. See my point?
So, this time, I thought I would come up with a few, more meaningful ideas. So, here are my Top Ten wishes for the next 12 months:
1. That I become less scared to turn on Breakfast TV. Over the past few months, over my morning coffee, I have seen countries go bust, banks within minutes of collapse, soldiers dying on foreign fields and politicians with their noses in the trough. Next year, I want to be able to turn on Breakfast TV and see that the people have more jobs, soldiers are at home and England have won the World Cup.
2. That we finally wipe out Swine Flu so that I never again have to see the advert with the bloke who sneezes all over the lift. It never fails to put me off my dinner (so good for the diet resolution, I guess).
3. That bankers finally learn some humility and remember just whose money they are playing with every day. Ok, it won’t happen but I can wish, can’t I?
4. That global warming at least manages to dry out certain parts of Cumbria. Oh, and that we finally reach a consensus on whether or not it really does exist and, more importantly, what we do about it!
5. That Gordon Brown announces a snap election on January 2 so we don’t have to endure months of false smiles, fake promises and poses with babies who are, quite understandably, scared witless by the experience!
6. That CD Odiáxere earns promotion for the second season in succession and that our friend, Dani, wins the Golden Boot (or whatever it is that they call it here).
7. That the Pound stops trying to impersonate the Lira and gives a bit of a boost to ex-pat incomes. I’m getting fed up with friends back in the UK telling me how much cheaper it is back home.
8. That the Algarve enjoys falling crime rates, increasing tourist revenues and long, sunny days. This is a wonderful region, with wonderful people – let’s hope for better for everyone next year.
9. That my friends and family continue to enjoy good health and happiness and that those who have offered us so much support in recent months are aware of how much they are appreciated.
10.That everyone, young and old, local and ex-pat, across every community, remembers that living together in harmony is the only true way to be happy.
Now, I don’t know how much of this will happen but, if you take a minute to think about it, I reckon that, with a little effort, we could all play our part in making at least some of it come true.
So, to everyone, may I wish you a Merry Christmas and a truly wonderful 2010!
David’s book Fifty/Fifty is available from the Griffin Bookshop in Almancil
