Just the ability to call last year "last year" makes me feel better. And if the turning of the calendar year last year was greeted with pessimism, this year there is optimism if for no other reason than I can't imagine things getting worse. While December's retail sales numbers were up just a tad, the mood was definitely better this holiday season than last. So onwards and upwards...

• I hope to blog more frequently in this coming year. I've probably resolved to do that the last few years now, so this may fall into the cliche "I'm-going-to-lose-weight-in-the-new-year" category. Nevertheless, I hope to do it.
• "Trading up" in our merchandise assortment. Some of this started last year, and it will continue in earnest this year. In particular, I have become sentimental toward "heirloom-quality" products -- products that are made of such enduring quality and timeless beauty that a child or grandchild would dutifully care for it for another lifetime. It's the same sentiment a certain watch brand has used successfully for a decade to market its wares: "You never actually own a Patek Phillipe. You merely look after it for the next generation." Indeed. Brands like S.T. Dupont and William Henry Studio -- both added last year -- fall into that category. There will be more to come in 2010.
  
• Explore the use of video on our website. Apparently, there are websites that are so cutting edge, they use video to educate or enhance the customer's experience. We will appoint a commission to study the efficacy of adding video to our site in the future.
  
• We hope to develop a couple of our own products to launch on the site. I'll offer two hints: (1) we shelved our Tablet idea after Apple stole all of our ideas for it, and (2) the products will help define the meaning of "On The Fly". The mind reels.