2009 Chinese Year of the Ox - Anyone found past chinese years relevant to having a "good" year?

I was just wondering whether anyone has had direct experience of having a good year or indeed a particularly bad year when its been their Chinese animal year… if you know what I mean? I am a Monkey anyway so 2009 might just be another bum year for me if this is true…and in all honesty… i do believe you are the master of your own destiny… but…though i’d throw the question out there…