h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

What's your overwhelming personal memory of 2008?

Suddenly lost nine friends this year, in rapid succession, from a number of factors. This is a small town; each was a kick in the gut.

Will it stick in your mind as, on the whole, a good year?

Too many strikingly bad occurrences, almost balanced by the surprising force with which the current administration was ejected from office by the majority of people in the U.S.

Or, conversely, will you be glad to see the back of 2008?

It's gone, and good riddance.

What, in your opinion, were the most significant news events?

The reminder that this economy is not "too strong to fail," and the reminder that at age 50 I have already been through this cycle five or six times, and everything always keeps rolling. Luckily, I know how to grow food, cook, and do physical labor.

What were the greatest cultural high points?

The election of President Barack Hussein Obama, and the return of the United States to the rest of the civilized world.

Who of the people we lost in 2008 will be most sadly missed by you?

Strangely, Eartha Kitt's death probably had the most unpredicatable impact. She lived through some tough stuff and always kept giving back, and looked great doing it.

What's the biggest lesson you've learned from this year? What do you think 2008 should have taught us all?

DON'T PANIC! Always carry a towel.

What artefacts would you assemble if you were to create a Blue Peter-type time capsule in order to let future generations know how we lived in 2008?

A picture of people paying $5 a gallon for gasoline in America. How quickly they forget.