An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves

- Bill Vaughn

People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas

- Anonymous

Well, another year in the bank. We've won some victories and endured some very sad losses. Life trundles on. The human span seems so very short. The Universe, where we live, is 15 billion years old and growing (or shrinking - have they worked that one out yet?). Old father time's been there and bought the t-shirt. There's nothing new under the sun. And yet, to be human is hold a candle up to hope, to keep warmth in our hearts, to strive after happiness. We on H2G2 wish you all our dear fellow humans, Researchers, a most fulfilling, prosperous 2011. May your dreams - some of them at least - bear sweet fruit. And never, ever give up!

• Go on then, spill the beans, how was 2010 for you? What were the highlights¹? The low points?

• Are you facing 2011 with a bounce in your step or a pit in your stomach?

• Any good at making predicitons? So far the newspapers for 2011 have got house prices falling, unemployement rising; but what do you think? More protest on the streets? The end of the coalition?

• Psychologically speaking, what is it about Christmas and tying up loose ends and New Year and forging new beginnings? Surely, in cosmological terms, it's all completely arbitrary. What's going on here? Why do we need dates, ends beginnings?

• Does anyone make New Year's resolutions anymore? Did you keep yours last year? Will you make any for 2011?