In One Year and Out the Other

So, it is New Year’s Eve again. That time of year that provides us with the opportunity to commit ourselves to change and vow to make better our lives, happier our souls, and smaller our asses. Last year, I vowed to give up Diet Coke and meat. I can proudly say that I went meat free for about 10 months (about 9 longer than I expected) and now drink regular Coke (baby steps, people). I vowed to lose weight. I did and then gained it back. And more. I vowed to be more positive. Whatever – overrated. I also vowed as stated in my New Year’s 2010 blog to blog more often. That was my only blog of the year. But this year will be different. Clearly. So, here are my 2011 New Year’s resolutions:

• Lose Weight: Okay, see, in 2010 I vowed to reuse and recycle more often. So, I am recycling/reusing this resolution for 2011. It’s only right.
• Put it on Paper: I am going to begin to begin to write a book (no, that is not a typo). No promises that there will be anything that resembles a finished product, or even a finished chapter, by the end of the year. But I am going to commit to thinking through a concept for what will be my first book. I know all of you will one day support me in this venture by ordering multiple copies (hopefully, not from the Dollar General, Tree, or any other store with “dollar” in the name) and telling me how great it is no matter if it is or not. Because many of you reading this love me (or are pretending to) and that is sometimes what love requires. That and forgiveness, which I am sure you will grant me if there are characters in my book that happen to resemble you. All names will be changed.
• Let my Hair Down: I don’t mean that literally or in a drank-too-much-Boone’s-Farm kind of way. This one is metaphorical. Sometimes I feel stuck, like Rapunzel, waiting for a man to find me so I can get on with life. Like everyone in the world around me is moving and living life while I am watching and waiting. But, unlike Rapunzel, I don’t have 27-foot long, rope-strength hair. Even if someone did come along, he wouldn’t be able to reach me and would probably just give up and ride away. So, this one is two-fold. One, I will stop worrying and waiting and remind myself that life is not on hold – it is happening every day. (And I can save myself, damn it.) And two, I will be more open to potential relationships in my life when they do come along – I will “let my hair down” and give people a chance to reach me.
• A Drop List: There are many parts of the country, some within driving distance, which I have not seen. There are places here in Nashville that I haven’t been to yet. There are also things that I keep saying I want to do or try but have not yet. I am going to make a list for the year of 50 things to do, see, explore, visit, photograph, create, eat, try, play, and accomplish. Sort of like a smaller version of a “bucket list” – a drop in the bucket, if you will. Some of those things will be small things like making a pizza from scratch or planting sunflowers on the side of the house. Others will be bigger things like walking the Music City Half-Marathon in April or taking a photography class. The first thing on the list is to make the actual list. I will post it when it is complete. Suggestions welcome.

That’s it for 2011. A short but grand list of resolutions. We will see how these first few months go. I may give up resolutions for Lent.