JWT, the largest advertising agency in the U.S. and the fourth-largest full-service network in the world, today released its list of 80 things to watch in 2008.

“These people, products, places, services and shifts will help to define 2008,” says Ann Mack, director of trendspotting at JWT. “By examining what will resonate with people or drive their thinking and behavior, we can identify larger patterns that will shape all of our lives in the years to come.”

“Love it or hate it, technology continues to be a common thread on our list,” adds Mack. “It drives the serendipitous randomness that throws up chance connections, groundbreaking discoveries and great business ideas.”

Ever since I was a little child, I have always looked forward to Christmas.

At first it was all about the wonderful presents that Santa left under the tree, but as I grew older, I realized the holiday season is a great time to catch up with family and old friends.

This year, that is exactly what I promised myself to do.

I planned my social calendar between the last two weeks of December to accommodate each invite, and with a little bit of juggling here and there, I was so excited at being able to fit everyone in.

I bought my first gym membership when I turned 19 years old. I chose a lifetime membership from a local canadian franchise. After all, I enjoyed going to the gym and all of my friends at that time went to the same one. I just knew I will be able to make use of it for the rest of my life. And what a sweet deal, I could just pay a maintenance fee of under $10 a month after the third year!

Statistics say that a gym membership is the least used membership. You pay your monthly dues every single month for what? So that when you are ready to get serious about losing weight that it will be there when you need it? A close friend of mine told me that this is why he still has a gym membership. He’s been a member of the same gym for about 20 years and used it for 1/10th of the time.