It seems you cannot turn around without seeing a year or a decade list. Best of something, or worst this or that. So I thought I would add to that crazy listing game by adding some of my favorites.

Most annoying people of the year 2009:

1. Tiger Woods

2. Kate Gosselin

3. Jon Gosselin

4. Nadya Suleman-Octomom

5. The Kardashians

6. Kanye West

7. Miley Cyrus

8. Jonas Brothers

9. Rush Limbaugh

10. The Balloon kid parents

Two celebrities who helped shape my youth and passed away in 2009:

1. Farrah Fawcett

2. Walter Cronkite

People who I think are so cool:

1. Ann Austin of the United Way of Freeborn County

2. Jolean Shea of the Freeborn County Relay for Life

3. Amy Wasson, a cancer survivor

4. Kisti Skaar, one darn funny person

5. My daughter, Tayler Rae

6. Jacob Miller, a short guy with lots of energy

7. Awesome Corinne Applegate of the United Way

8. My wife, Bonnie, who puts up with me

9. Claire and Ruth Vermedahl

10. People with good customer service skills

My Green Bay Packers through the decade:

2001: The playoffs sucked as Brett Favre had a nightmarish six-interception game in a 45-17 loss to the Rams.

2002: The Packers who had a perfect regular season record at Lambeau Field were stunned in the snow by the Atlanta Falcons 27-7, in what was their first home playoff loss in franchise history.

2003: Lambeau Field was renovated and the Pack was back. In the playoffs the Packers lost to the Eagles in overtime with a heartbreaking 20-17 loss.

2004: The Packers lost to the Vikings in the playoffs. ’Nuff said.

2005: Mike McCarthy was hired while Brett Favre spent the entire off-season contemplating retirement before ultimately deciding to return for another season.

2006: Brett Favre spent the entire off-season contemplating retirement before ultimately deciding to return for another season.

2007: Brett Favre began racking up NFL records with career victories, touchdowns, interceptions and games played and posted a great 13-3 record. In the playoffs the Packers faced the New York Giants with a trip to Super Bowl XLII on the line. We were very lucky as Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes missed two field goal attempts in the fourth quarter. However, Favre would have a pass intercepted setting Tynes up for a third try to win the game. This time he would not miss as the Packers’ season ended in disappointment with a 23-20 loss, and I swore for the first time ever. (The Giants went on to win the Super Bowl.)

2008: Brett Favre cited he was tired and announced his retirement. Then all heck broke loose with Brett and the Pack management bickering back and forth until Brett was traded to the Jets. I bought a Jets No. 4 jersey. It turns out that purchase was a poor choice.

2009: Brett Favre retired and then spent the entire off-season contemplating his retirement before ultimately deciding to return for another season with the Vikings. I swore for the second time in my life.

2010: Packers redeem themselves with a playoff win against Brett and the Vikings, ending Minnesota’s shot at losing another Super Bowl. (Oh, wait this should be the start of a new decade. My bad.)

Weekend highlight

I went to the 5 p.m. Children’s Christmas Eve Mass at St. Ted’s last weekend, and let me tell you it was the highlight of my holiday weekend as my family and I got to see a great play about the birth of Jesus Christ. All of my favorite Christmas songs were played, and the kids did an amazing job.

The performance brought me back to all the Christmas plays we did in my youth at St. Peters Catholic school.

I proudly sang “We Three Kings” as I once played one of the three wise men myself. I am pretty sure I was the frankincense guy.

Watching the kids and the proud parents was an extra gift that truly made my season. Thanks to all who participated, helped, guided and performed in this fantastic mass.

Happy New Year!

Be safe.

Tribune Publisher Scott Schmeltzer’s column appears every Thursday.