Do my eyes deceive me?

Look--over there. Just past the charred wreckage. No, not THERE--that's what's left of the promotional products business with pharmaceutical companies. Look to the left--do you see it?

It's the faintest glimmer of light. From this distance it's hard to make it out--it might be another train (one of several that have hit us recently), or it might be a UFO (Unidentified Fiscal Obstruction). But if I squint my eyes just right it has the appearance of--dare I say it--optimism?

In this climate any news that's not depressing is viewed as positive, but there are the slightest signs that things are getting better. Now let's be upfront about this--"better" is not "good" by any definition. But "better" is a whole lot more exciting than "the same" because "the same" has been pretty bad.

Everyone has been "on hold" for the past three or four months. We're waiting for something--for Saint Barack to single-handedly save the economy, for any sign that the worst is over and we're heading back up. But I'm hearing more confidence in the conversations I'm having with clients. Not much, you understand, but I'll take a little for the moment.

The statistics are bad but not as bad as it might seem. For my part I plan to keep squinting and seeing something positive--Lord knows I've had enough Negative Visions to keep me awake for some time...


Pete