UK High Street giant Marks and Spencer has just dropped the price of men’s underwear by more than 40 percent to 60p ($1.18) a pair.

Some might call that “pants”, but I think it’s jolly good news — I need to replenish my under-wardrobe. Don’t say we don’t bring good tidings here at Syntagma.

To tell you the truth, I’ve been scouring the columns and bulletins for weeks for just a glimmer of brash, hopeful news for the new year, but that’s the best I can find. I’m having to fall back on small domestic matters.

Today I’m going to tell you about my new desk diary. I do enjoy opening a fresh, pristine volume for the first time in the new year. Such possibilities. A whole year spread out before us like a blank canvas. And a Year Planner we can write in anything we wish.

I usually buy my diaries on January 5 — the ones I use run out on January 6. In the retail trade, this is called Just-in-Time purchasing. It’s why when you want to buy a large item you’re told there’s a six-week delivery period.

My brand of diary comes in two colours, silver and black. I buy them alternately each year. 2008 is a black year. Naturally, 2007 was silver. Does that affect the quality of the year? You would be surprised.

Extensive in-house research indicates that it does, but with a qualification. Take last year. The first six months were a breeze; couldn’t put a foot wrong. However, from midsummer it all went awry. Various factors, including Google’s hamfisted twiddling with its PageRank algorithm, knocked the stuffing out of the market.

This year, we start on a low baritone note. Merrill Lynch believes the U.S. is already in recession, and the British Government is preparing to nationalize failed bank, Northern Rock — a little late in the day — in a desperate effort to save the vast billions of taxpayers’ money they’ve sunk into the rescue plan.

However, the good news is that an acquaintance of mine, who happens to be a professional astrologer (I know, I know!), says that 2008 is going to be brilliant, with upturns everywhere by June. Eerily, many economists are saying the same thing. Now we know where they get their inspiration from.

So it’s a game of two halves. The diary colour only predicts the first six months. If we can survive till summer we’re in clover — so to speak.

Anyone for hibernation.