So that was 2008? Don't ever come back!

With the most sincere heart, those of us here at Radio Midrand 93.8FM wish all our listeners only the very, very best for Christmas and the New Year. Thank you so much for being there for us. A further sincere thanks must go to those advertisers who helped lighten the burden.

It hasn't been easy getting this little station off the ground and the truly dedicated can be counted on one hand (whilst most other hands have been outstretched for palm creasing). Not easy for a non-profit organization trying to ascertain sustainability. Add to this the occasional greed infested delusional parasite who feels the right to try and create a personal nest egg on the voluntary hard work, blood, sweat, tears, and lest we forget, financial funding from others. And whilst we're still not out of the woods, 2009 is looking tremendously exciting for Radio Midrand 93.8FM with some serious big name pro's taking to the helm.

It must be emphasized that Radio Midrand 93.8FM is a station for the geographical community of Midrand and surrounds. In 2009, as a member of that community, if you have something you want to voice, voice it through us. Remember, 2009 is the year of your voice. Use it, and use it wisely!

It's Christmas eve and I think more so than ever before, I'm hearing people tell me just how sick to death of Christmas they are. There are naturally those that will always tell you that 'It's for the kids', and of course they are right, and I'm not about to wax lyrically about putting back the true meaning of Christmas, especially if you consider that according to the Bible, Christ was in fact born somewhere around March or April. However, here too the world needs to capitalize from your pocket by using a 'child appeal' fluffy tailed bunny to distract from the true meaning of Easter. Consider too that the word 'Easter' is a hand-me-down derived from a famous pagan witch named 'Esther'. (Christ and witches...? Gee... No prizes for guessing whose in charge in this world)

Yes, I'm sounding very cynical, but in truth, I really don't mean to be. I too would like to get caught up in the hype of Christmas, but this year I intend doing it for all the right reasons and meaning. For the first time in months and months, and who knows, perhaps in your case, years, I intend spending the day with my family and try not to reflect too much on what an unbelievably crappy year 2008 has been.

Eskom started the ball rolling with their 'load shedding' campaigns (and awarded their directorship with large salary increases), criminals simply continued to take a leaf from those in power (the circus antics of whom saw the demise of the President), the Prince of Clowns known as Bob up north still clinging to power (and receiving it free from South Africa), the tea cloth eastern oil gluttons held a $160.00 a barrel gun at our heads, petrol and food prices went through the roof, inflation soured, the world "super powers" (tongue-in-cheek) tried in vain to ward off a global recession that they had created and in fact were already living in, jobs were lost in the thousands... Do I need to go on?

It's said that that that (that's three "that's") doesn't kill you, can only make you stronger. Geez... I sure as hell hope so! Having put up with what we've had to handle in South Africa this year would define us as the strongest people on the planet! Still, would you want to live anywhere else?

Okay, so I'm cynical about Christmas, but I'm a big believer in second chances, and third and fourth and fifth and... It's for that reason that I do so enjoy New Year. The opportunity to put things behind and start again.

Let me end by saying that 2008 has kicked, punched and bruised us all, but we're still standing and together we always will. We've learned many lessons in the 'year-from-hell' which is why 2009 comes with a guarantee of being truly great!

It's easier said than done and I have often wanted to throttle those who have said it to me this year, but... hang in there. We're going to be okay!

God bless you and yours.

Scott