NEW YORK, NY -- Things seem to be going rather smoothly in 2008 -- but don't tell that to Eric Poppers, the president of 2000 Glasses, a company specializing in the manufacture of glasses in the shape of the upcoming year, in which the middle two zeros serve as viewing lenses. With 2010 imminently approaching, Mr. Poppers can't help but anticipate the decline of his business.

"Look, it's only a matter of time before 2009 swings around. It'll surely be our last hurrah."

The glasses are usually purchased in bulk quantities around mid- to late-December by people throwing parties for New Year's Eve.

"We get the bulk of our sales on December 30th, actually," said Poppers. "But it's not like we don't sell the things during the spring and summer months."

Poppers suggested that we participate in a holiday that he had been celebrating since the year 2000. "It's called the Mid-Year's Eve. Every June 31st, we count down to July 1, which of course marks the middle of the year. It's an exciting time, you know, with everybody talking about their plans for the next half of the year."