I Hereby Resolve 2013 To Be An Odd Year

Yesterday, I told Dragon that I was doing something because (and I quote), “I don’t want to be known as someone who doesn’t do things.” She looked at me oddly. “I don’t think anyone is ever going to accuse you of that. So don’t do something stupid.” But I can’t help myself. Stupid things are my specialty.

My 2012 resolutions were strangely constructed. I was in a weird place on December 30, 2011. It had been a very weird year upon reflection. So how did I do?

1. Don’t change jobs.

Check. I am officially closing down my private practice as of today. It was the right time so it’s done. But I made it the year.

2. Finish my NaNo Book.

Check. You can even buy it on Amazon.

3. Take the day off.

I did a pretty nice job of this one. I should have probably taken the day a little sooner in most cases, but I made it happen. I am no longer afraid to call in bipolar.

4. Listen to music 8 minutes a day, uninterrupted.

Half-fail. I’m sure I did it occasionally and I constantly have music on everywhere I go. But dedicated time to listening? Notsomuch.

5. Get a new tattoo.

Total fail. It’s still in the plan. But I’m a little all over the map on my design and what best represents what. We’ll see.

And now, I present to you (because you cannot possibly have read enough of these in the past 24 hours), Kelly’s Super Special Strange 2013 Resolutions.

1. Let’s One-Man Band This

In the odd months of 2013, I will play bass guitar 5 days a week. In the even months, I will play piano 5 days a week. I reserve the right to substitute guitar for piano in the even months because I know how to play piano and I don’t know if I have maxed out my frustration on trying to learn 6-string guitar chords in my lifetime. I figure 5 times a week for 6 months might do the trick and then I’ll stop pretending to care how to play Eagles songs.

2. Sip on books instead of being a binger

I average reading 12 books a year. Six of them usually come in June/July. And then I’m scattered for the rest of the time. It’s annoying. It’s also annoying that my tolerance for fiction is approximately 10 minutes. Why can’t I get into “literature”?  No. No, I choose to read books on behavioral economics and prediction methods. Want to feel old and boring? Try to tell people you’re really enjoying a book on behavioral economics. No. This must change. So I’m going to read one book a month in 2013 and six of them must be fiction. I can read more. But I need consistency. See if you catch that theme here…

3. Life happens in a NaNosecond

I don’t think I have that much to say to the world. Then for 30 days in November, I feel like I have a lot to say to the world. It is such a beautifully arbitrary dedication of time. But this year, I also have Bose headphones. I predict these are so magical that my 50,000 words will take me little time. And maybe, the protagonist will have a special interest in headphones. Hmmm…

4. Take a few BB

My softball team would love if I meant base on balls. Unfortunately, I swing at everything. I am the Pablo Sandoval of county league softball. But I want to walk more. So I’m setting my resolution at walking 8 miles a week. I don’t know why. I am fundamentally against treadmilling because we spend enough time using energy to go nowhere. But I need movement and I need to think. So walking it is. (Even if it’s to Mugby Junction to buy peppermint hot chocolate. But still. It counts. Cuz it’s my resolution.)

5. Take a chance on something scary

I might be considered a risk taker. I don’t think so most of the time. But I also don’t say “no” very much and I’m not really afraid of too many things overall. However, I also surround myself with people who understand me and probably don’t push me too far outside my own boundaries. So maybe that’s the key to the conundrum. Find the boundaries and then push them. I have no idea what this may be. But I wanted it written down so in one year I can either (a) be upset that I didn’t do it, (b) squeeze something into the constraints of having accomplished it, or (c) list the 20 things I did simply because I said I would. Sky diving, anyone?

So there we have it. My 3 readers are now holding me accountable to auspicious hopes and dreams. Can’t ask for much more than that. Just glad I got through it without having to give up drinking wine. Whew.

Happy New Year!