As the old saying goes, it’s difficult to make predictions, especially about the future. But, nevertheless, I’ve decided to take this opportunity to make predictions for year 2008. I’m doing it not only because I get to write this a few weeks in to January, but because (I predict) I will graduate this year, and I won’t be around for criticism when people realize that I was wrong about something.

8: There will be a recession.
People have found all kinds of ways to keep going and pass debts along to future generations. Long ago, women went to work. Later, people stopped saving. Lately, massive debts have been added and gone unpaid. We’ve been talking about recessions ever since Bush was elected. I believe that 2008 is the hardcore recession year, and, though it’s too early to start making predictions about future years, unless something incredible happens, we can probably expect a depression within the next decade. But I’m not an economist. I just repeat what I hear economists say.

7: We will all die.
Speaking of economists, in the first half of the 1900s, Economist John Maynard Keynes wrote, “In the long run we are all dead,” then he died. That was a long time ago, which means that the “long run” he was referring to is due at any time, and it might be just around the corner.

Of course, Keynes was wrong about a lot of things. So this might be one of them.

6: People will get fatter and dumber, as will government-sponsored anti-obesity programs.
When greedy corporations make people fat, they have to turn to reality TV or the government to become thin. There are too many obese people to fit on reality TV, so most choose to turn to the government. “Shaq’s Big Challenge” gave people both, as reality TV watchers saw NBA star Shaquille O’Neal and an army of overweight children chanting for Florida’s governor to “Make us thin!”

Like reality TV approaches to fighting obesity, government programs with the same purpose come in all different shapes, sizes and classes. But all the government health programs are tied together by a common outcome: They all fail. When they fail, people get even fatter, so the programs expand to deal with the larger problem. It’s too bad we don’t have the ability to eat better.

5: People keep wishing they had bought gold.
As the economy slows, precious metals become more valuable, and people become angry with themselves for not buying them earlier. But they don’t want to buy it now, because it might not keep going up, but then, when it keeps going up, they will be angry that they didn’t buy it when they originally wished they had bought it.

4: Ferris will buy more stupid stuff.
Do you ever walk around the campus, noticing all the ugly sculptures, big screen TVs and unbelievably expensive chairs, and feel your heart fill with joy over your well-spent tuition dollars? Me neither.

3: Britney Spears will do something stupid.
At first, this prediction looks like a cop-out because it’s guaranteed to happen, but I don’t mean something “somewhat stupid,” like losing her keys or marrying some low-life. I mean something really big and really stupid that everyone will hear about. Okay, it’s still a cop-out.

2: Christmas will happen
Yes Virginia, there is a war on Christmas, and Christmas has had its share of threats throughout history. The Grinch has tried stealing it. Jack Frost has tried getting in the way. In the past, a foggy Christmas Eve was almost enough to stop the holiday. But there has never been a shortage of heros around to save it, including Ernest, the great redneck hope; Elmo; Inspector Gadget; Rudolph; the Super Mario Brothers; and countless others.

1: Congress will pass a bill that invades privacy and creates enormous problems for Americans at all income levels.
Which bill? Who cares? This is the kind of thing Congress is there for.

Well by now the new workout schedule should be all laid out, and the pantry is all stocked with health food because this year is ‘the one’ where every person is going to ‘get in shape,’ start eating right, and ‘really focus on goals.’

Every step that every person makes towards being a better, kinder person has a reciprocal effect on those around them. Quitting smoking might be an obvious example of this since second hand smoke is known to cause cancer.

Someone else might choose to work out more often with strictly personal reasons. Provided that the person sticks with it, he or she will end up with higher metabolism, and elevated self esteem. This will rub off on the people around him or her.

My question is why wait? The year only changes … once a year! Many aren’t able to make it very long on a workout plan, they might just give up for the next ten months.

Last summer I had the wonderful experience of working for a leading book manufacturer in Ann Arbor; they taught every new employee about the ‘Fish Philosophy.’ Fish! as it’s called has four basic principles: Be there, Play, Make their day, and Choose Your Attitude (www.charthouse.com). This was modeled after a particular world famous fish market at Pike’s Place Market in Seattle, WA, where the employees are loud and friendly, despite having to work 12-hour shifts in a cold environment surrounded by putrid fish.

One of the points that stuck with me was ‘choose your attitude.’ They said that every day, each person makes a choice when they get up. Each person can choose to be friendly and happy, grumpy and rude, or anything in between.

I have made it a point in my life to not wait for the new year, a birthday, next month, next week or even tomorrow. I start today.

Each person can choose every day to be a better, healthier individual. “Every journey begins with one step” or as the great philosopher Dr. Seuss said, “Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting so… get on your way!”

I don’t think this country has been this divided since the civil war. Gay marriage v. marriage between a man and a woman, life v. choice, war for freedom v. no war, Democrat v. Republican, or pepperoni v. cheese.

Okay maybe pizza toppings aren’t up for debate, but the country is divided on moral and political issues, and with the 2008 presidential election less than a year away, registered voters are already beginning their own debates.

As far as I am concerned the presidential candidacy should not depend on the president’s view of gay marriage, because in all honesty, passing laws on moral issues is a waste of time and tax payers’ money.

Abortion has also become an issue, no person can say what they would do in that situation until they are in it, and even then I’m thinking it’s not an easy issue, I can understand people being pro-life, but if you could do it without your holier-than-thou attitude, that would be great.

I don’t know when religion and moral issues became a part of politics, what ever happened to wanting to get the country out of a recession, pay off a couple billion-dollar debts and trying to settle issues without blowing another country off the map?

Bringing me to my next point. When the planes flew into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, I agreed we needed to go to war, fight the Taliban and capture Bin Laden. Nearly seven years later we are in Iraq, have captured Sadaam Hussein and still have troops there.

Please note the U.S has not punished the Taliban, nor has it captured Bin Laden, I’m glad the military has objectives and goals to help accomplish what it set out to do. Also this whole War for Peace thing is out of control, war for peace? Are you kidding me? How about having sex for virginity? Anyone? No, okay, moving on.

As for Republican’s preaching family values, I say stop caring about people’s dysfunctional families and focus on your own.

Just because you go to church, own a gun, listen to Rush Limbaugh and do what you’re told does not make you superior to those that think you’re a little crazy. Yes, I know the democrats are a slight step above communism, wanting nation wide health care, does make them less American.

I enjoy Senator Barack Obama’s quote that states, “We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.”

As we go into the presidential race, please remember that we are one nation, under God, indivisible, and we need to begin adjusting our thoughts, and possibly our political affiliation, and make the best choice for our next president.

Recent increase in publicity for developing an expansively diverse campus has left this writer to think that perhaps there is a bit too much focus on bringing students of similar backgrounds, creeds, cultures, and experiences together for mutual support while simultaneously excluding those of non-similar attributes.

With the focus on diversity, we as a campus have attempted to ascertain these issues and through civil dialogue in a town forum setting, the issues were brought to light. I’m happy that we live in a country where people can be different. I’m ecstatic that we can publicly discuss our opinions without fear of society’s backlash. What I regret is that we’ve managed to talk ourselves out of taking action.

I feel that this campus has focused just about enough time and energy debating the roles of race, gender and all of the other ways that we as students are different and not nearly enough time celebrating those attributes that we share. As Presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama said, “That which binds us together is greater than what drives us apart.” In my opinion there is no greater example of this than one small habit that is nearly universally shared by Americans of all ages in the vast majority of the country. That habit is dunking and swirling one’s French fries in one’s Frosty at a Wendy’s fast food chain restaurant.

I say this not to cheapen the efforts of any RSO or office on campus that has worked so diligently to increase awareness at our school. I support their efforts whole-heartedly and applaud their resolution to provide guidance and information to those who seek it. We’re really truly lucky to have individuals and faculty members so dedicated to providing a safe environment to promote understanding among students.

This simple, easily described act of adding milk shake to your fries demonstrates just how similar we are as a community, and as a country. It is still a mystery how fry to frosty interaction began. It is not advertised by the Wendy’s corporation. It is not the only acceptable way to enjoy a cup of frozen chocolate goodness. But, if the two items are placed in a nearby proximity and an individual who has experienced firsthand the glory of the combination is not handcuffed, it’s going to happen.

What is even more exciting about this combination is the inherent belief that they really don’t belong together. French Fries and a Frosty? No, that just isn’t right. But, try it. It is. It is glorious, and if it does happen to be wrong, then I don’t want to be right. It is possible that one could view the blending of these two menu items symbolically to describe the potential outcome of the widely varied students on Ferris’ campus coming together to do something great, as they do from time to time.

Come on my fellow Bulldogs. Let’s come together, not just because the university wants us to. Let’s come together because we all really do have something in common. We recognize the majesty that only fries and a frosty can provide. I’ll be waiting patiently for the “Friends of Frosties and Fries” RSO to be created and begin unifying Big Rapids students in a whole new way.

With the end of last semester so was the end of my long time friend’s college career. Marshall Gladding, a network engineering student, graduated from the College of Technology Summa Cum Laude. Two years prior, he scored an internship with Boeing. After being asked back for another summer, it was merely a matter of graduating before he was offered the full time position. I would soon join Marshall in our drive across the country.

We set out on the morning of Jan. 6. We enjoyed a hearty breakfast with his family, packed his black Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, and said our goodbyes. The morning was overcast, but moderate, a typical Michigan thaw just coming in. We cruised through Michigan, caught a glimpse of Indiana, and beat the morning traffic in Chicago. We soon entered into Wisconsin, being greeted by a dense haze. Visibility was virtually nonexistent, though the roads were deceivingly clean. Taking for granted that the flow of traffic would continue as normal, we kept a moderate pace of about 60 mph. Just outside of the state’s capitol, our trip would be given an unexpected two day layover.

I’ve known Marshall Gladding ever since we were in grade school. He was originally a friend of my older brother given that he was two years ahead of me in school. Late in middle school though, it would become apparent that him and I had more commonalities then that of my brother and him, not to mention that we all always hung out together playing countless hours of video games. Those were the early years, when I knew Marshall as the chubby shy kid.

All of a sudden, lights began to emerge from the fog. Soon we realized that there was a line of stopped cars right in our path. The break pads hardened down on the rotors, causing the traction tires to lock up on the pavement.

Our momentum dragged the rubber across the road, twisting the frame of the car. Soon, the law of physics would tell us that we were driving too fast. Veering slightly to the left, the right passenger side slammed into a vaguely remembered black car. Our front end pretty well demolished the left side of the victimized car in front of us.

In our shocked state, we slowly drifted forward, as the car we hit pulled off to the other side. We kept moving to avoid being rear-ended ourselves. Less then five minutes later, it would seem as though all Hell broke loose.

Once I entered high school, I started going to Marshall’s Church. The youth group had an annual two week bike trip. We’ve toured South Dakota, Tennessee/ Kentucky, Michigan/Wisconsin, and the UP. When not on the trip, Marshall and I would ride our bikes nearly every day. Marshall quickly transformed himself from the shy fat kid into the agile and skinny social butterfly. I wouldn’t be surprised if many of you who are reading this know exactly who I am talking about. The bicycle, along with our faith, was our redemption, our escape. Many hours were spent with grueling pedal strokes and random conversations about life in general. It was a friendship that was more then just a common interest, but an actual caring for each other.

All around us, our ears were hammered with stimuli. Screeching tires and loud crashes were heard from all directions. Our eyes were useless, but the sounds said enough. I’ve not seen war, but I imagine it sounds something like what we experienced that day. After the carnage quieted down, the scene was filled with cops and emergency workers. An officer came up to us and asked only for our names, insurance company, and a phone number. After that we got out and inspected the damage. It didn’t look too bad, but again we were deceived. A reporter came up to us and asked us about what happened. We gave as much info as we could, though it wasn’t much. Soon people began getting out of their cars, crowding the streets. After seeing two people nearly getting hit by an emergency vehicle because they were in the middle of the street, I decided to stay close to the car. My level of curiosity was high, so I used my phone to see if there were any online reports yet. Amidst the chaos, I found out that within a few hundred feet of me, at least one person was killed, and many more were injured.

After two days in Madison, Wis. we finally found a new vehicle and made it successfully across the rest of the country. I spent one day in the beautiful city of Seattle before flying back. I borrowed one of Marshall's bikes and rode around Alki Beach. It amazed me. There was green grass, people sitting on the beach, snorkelers, and kayakers, all in the month of January. I was reluctant to return to Michigan but now that I’m home, I’m happy that I’m here. I’ve gained countless friends at this school, and despite the weather, I enjoy being here at Ferris State University.

I have no faith that technology will simplify our lives any time soon. How many times have you been trying to listen to a music file or watch a downloaded video and been forced to download also a new codec? Have you ever purchased a new music player or printer for your computer but not been able to just use it without installing some ridiculous software on your computer?

Printers seem to be some of the worst offenders. It can be very convenient that an ‘all-in-one’ device can scan, print, copy, and fax with the push of a button, but it is rarely that simple. Most printer/scanners that I have installed on Windows computers come packaged with a very weak photo editing program, a ‘photo album starter kit’ and of course a general printer driver that always runs in the system tray and causes the computer to take another 10 minutes to boot up. (Luckily my Mac can output to every printer I’ve ever plugged it into and print without so much as a hiccup.)

PDF files are based on PostScript language, and are very common. The PDF locks content in a location on the page unlike what might happen if one opens a Word document on a different computer. It seems as though Microsoft chose to reinvent the wheel and come out with a file format very similar called XPS (XML Paper Specification), based on XML the same way PDFs are based on PostScript. Creating a good PDF file can be a bit tricky with all the available options, and Microsoft developed XPS to compete with PDF, and by doing so is forcing many users into using a new format that isn’t compatible with other systems.

I also do not believe that any device should require a separate install disc. Computer memory has come down drastically in the last few years, and there is no excuse for a manufacturer to not include drivers within a device. When I purchased my GPS navigation unit, I thought it was nice that my PC auto-recognized and installed the drivers right from the unit’s memory. I was quickly saddened when it required internet access to download a 200MB program. I’m glad that I don’t have dial-up!

I have seen a home entertainment unit with an oh-so-handy USB port on the front that will play music files and display pictures on the screen – but only from a flash drive, not an external hard drive. My question is what’s the real difference, and why does it matter? Flash drives are sold with more memory than the hard drive I just replaced in my own computer.

It seems that everyone wants to get rich by creating the newest and greatest technology, then shoving it in your face. I see only a small amount of hope for simplicity in the future with companies like Google which prides itself on how little time people actually spend on the site; the less the better. Unless other companies can learn to simplify their products, they could continue clogging our brains and computers.