Now that virtually every career is an option for ambitious girls it can no longer be considered regressive or reactionary to reintroduce discussion of marriage and motherhood to primary education. We certainly do not want to return to the simplistic duality of home economics classes for girls and wood shop for boys.

In the 20 long hungry years between my late teens and late 30s I bought in to virtually every new diet and/or exercise regime that hoved into view particularly at this most vulnerable time for those of us prone to poor body image - a new year.

But I can only take so much TV because there is so much advice. I find people will preach about virtually anything - your diet how to live your life how to improve your golf. The lot. I have always had a thing against the Mister Know-It-Alls.

Good-looking individuals are treated better than homely ones in virtually every social situation from dating to trial by jury.

Computers have virtually replaced tape recorders.

As you watch the world crumble try taking your Armageddon with this sprinkling of irony: Over the last three decades business has got virtually everything it wanted and its doomsday scenario from the 1970s has come true because of it.

But I believe in fair trade and I will tell you I have many many friends heading up corporations and people that do just business in China they say it's virtually impossible. It's very very hard to come into China. And yet we welcome them with open arms.

Massachusetts children cannot only lead the nation in test scores they can be competitive with the best in the world. And the gap in achievement among races can virtually disappear.

I've always taught that a poor economy is the best opportunity for salespeople because the naysayers and grumblers have already given up leaving more territory more opportunities to be successful than in a good economy when virtually all salespeople are out there giving it their best.

Most high courts in other nations do not have discretion such as we enjoy in selecting the cases that the high court reviews. Our court is virtually alone in the amount of discretion it has.

We virtually never feel our age but thinking that we should can lead to disaster.