To start, I have to wish my younger sister a happy 21st birthday. Enjoy it, but be safe.
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It’s the final week of one rough year.
Check that, it’s the final week of one rough decade.
When the two major events kicking off the decade were Y2K and Sept. 11, 2000-2009 didn’t stand much of a chance.
Media across the nation have spent the better half of this month describing just how bad this decade has been. Two wars, a recession and history’s largest Ponzi scheme did not help.
TIME magazine had a cover story a few weeks ago that said goodbye to the “Decade From Hell” and “The Worst Decade Ever.” Positive thinking.
Here in State College, “The Worst Decade Ever” just didn’t seem that bad.
Political scandal? Look elsewhere, bud.
Neighbors cheating neighbors? Only if borrowing yard tools for too long counts.
Wars? Only in Rec Hall, the Bryce Jordan Center and Beaver Stadium.
Financial complications? Well yes, actually. But even so, the unemployment is almost half that of the national average. And as jobs were getting lost throughout the nation, Centre County actually had job growth.
Everybody knows that the area also goes by the name Happy Valley, but this past decade has proven it.
The area is known as being “recession-resistant.” (Some used to say “recession-proof,” but then “some” had to tighten their belts a bit.)
Even the most thoroughly depressing thing one can imagine – childhood cancer – doesn’t stand a chance against the omnipotent optimism of the participants of THON.
I made it clear a year ago that THON would not, could not, raise more money than the previous year. I wasn’t just wrong, I was wrong 1 million times over.
Even the Nittany Lion faithful, many of whom live outside the happiest of valleys, seem to have forgotten how bad this decade was supposed to be. Because of their continued support, Forbes.com named Penn State as college football’s third most valuable team. Call it the M-Rob/D-Will bailout.
The year and decade are about to come to a close, and 2010 is predicted to have many of the same problems.
But as “The Decade From Hell” finishes up, all I have to say is: Happy Valley, turn up the A.C.
