Call me "Len" in 2010!

(Hmmm... weak. First Resolution is to come up with a better rhyme for "ten" and a catchier, more affirming motto.)

Starting the new year just like the old year began (and ended) -- not much more than a trip to Vons in the bank account and looking for work.  Dishes in the sink, newspaper tossed under the neighbor's car, family sleeping in, Emmylou Harris in my headphones, devising ways to knock off 10 lbs... and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Well, except for the job part, I'd really like one.

Happy NewYear!

Resolutions...

Happy New Year!

Ok, so not all of last year's goals were accomplished, but it's the quality, not the quantity that's important when it comes to self-improvement, right? I did add Ray Sings, Basie Swings and Blues Before Sunrise to my listening rotation. I did not get a job. I'd say the universe is quite balanced...

So for a Great '08, I resolve to:

1. Get a job. No, really. Seriously. I will graduate in May (just cash, please) and start the Teaching Credential program in September, so it's time to see if all this "Inspired" stuff can help put bacon on the table. I should be able to work as a substitute, maybe even before grad, and I actually look forward to it -- throw me in the lion's den, I'll teach 'em how to not dangle their participles...
2. Spend less time making irrelevant and sometimes asinine comments on LibraryThing, and adding 600 books a day to my "wish list"...
3. clean out and organize the storeroom...
4. ban all post-it notes from the house. There is a feral pack of them, 25-30 strong, stuck all over my desk, and I think they've eaten all my pens. Looking closely, but not too closely, I can see vague, barely decipherable markings that at one time must have been important words: Zorba, vocab, Paolo Nutini, $17.03, thermal plumes, crickets... what could it all mean?!?!? ...

Anything you would like to add to the list?

resolution revolution

No wonder I've already broken 80-90% of these... gotta put it out in the universe, right? I guess subconciously I know there's no need for resolutions, no need to improve on what's close to perfect, right? Ok, I'll add "find some humility" to the list....

It's that time of the fresh new year, time for the list of ways to make myself a better person in 2007 ...

1. eat right, exercise more, lose weight... what?!?!? It could happen.
2. do not buy any new books. I feel guilty when I look at the bookshelves and quickly find 5 books I haven't opened since standing in line @ the bookstore. It's like inviting friends over and not opening the front door. Well, I guess I open the door, but then stick them in the corner behind a plant or picture frame and only come by to dust once a month. So, after the current cache of gift cards are gone, no more new books until the rest are read.
3. no more "maybe" or "we'll see" -- what kind of wishy-washy Father image is that presenting to the 3 Uglies??? They need to see decisive decision-making, strong convictions and leadership, so the answer is a simple flat-out "No" -- I don't care what they ask. May not be popular with the Boys, but it will build character.
4. study each and every day, and complete written assignments before the last 8 hours before class.
5. listen to more Ray Charles.
6. Stop wasting paper plates. Those things can be washed meal after meal, and even when transparent they're still good for toast (lightly buttered).
7. get a job. no, seriously! This homemaker deal can't go on forever, unless I start scratchin' some winning tickets....
8. practice typing with more than 2 fingers. By '08 should be able to work up to 3 or 4, maybe even utilize these opposable thumbs.
9. learn how to spell "opposable"
10. ... ?

ok, that's enough to work on for now.

wha' happn'd in ought-six?*

The past year is officially deep-'06ed... and did anything worth remembering happen? No new children or vehicles; same home, same wife; no major medical emergencies, and successfully avoided attending any funerals... in comparison to tumultuous '04 and mundane '05, an above average year. A few highlights...

• #3 started kindergarten, so that's the baby now in school and 8:30 to 3:30 are gloriously kid-free, leaving much more quality time with TMW&BWITW -- you wouldn't believe how many shopping malls are within driving distance of our house! Oh happy day.
• But the sure-fire cure for too much of a good thing? I quit my job and went back to school. No showers, no shaving, wardrobe choices severely narrowed down to shorts, flips, and a rotation of 4 tees. Oh happy day! No paycheck, no Macy's discount, no lunch at Mimi's... but to prove how wonderful she is The Wife embraced mall walking and window shopping so we could still enjoy some time together! Oh happy....
• Broke an elbow and sprained a wrist, both mine, same arm, riding #1's skateboard. "You're 40, not 14. I know they sound the same, but..." said the smart-ass Doc. He said learn the lesson and stay off your son's board. I agreed, and went out and got my own, bigger and better than his.
• Speaking of 40, passed that milestone and the medical exam that accompanies it with flying colors... the Doc didn't smile when I asked if he wanted to share a cigarette when it was over, but I thought it was funny. The Wife also hit 40, and we celebrated our 10th anniversary, which all adds up to 90.
• Gained a good 10 pounds (isn't that akin to "a good way to put an eye out"?) but I carry it well, I still look good: this is the body of a 37-yr old, 38 tops, sitting here washing down peanut brittle with the last of the holiday eggnog. Straight out of the carton.
• The Folks sold their house, the gathering place since I was 13. A lot of football and capture the flag out in front, sunsets in the back yard, parties and celebrations in the den, arguments and hanging out and family dinners in the kitchen.
• Sheesh, they always copy what I do -- The Bro and The Sis decided to take the plunge, again. (No, not to each other.)
• took an amazingly fun and relaxing vacation with our Great Friends, driving up the coast to San Fran with stops along the way... but have no pictures to prove it since I still can't figure out how to get the pix from 2005's vacation out of the camera. Maybe that should be an '07 resolution....
• made new friends from watching #2 play football, we bonded searching for our kids on the sideline (there he is, on the bench! No, he's over by the water bottles!) -- but how long should you be friends before you let someone steal an oven for you? no reason, just asking....
• taught my first class full of kids -- talked so fast I was done in half the time and had to make stuff up for 30 minutes, but it was only art. But was asked, twice, in different places, if I was a teacher, so there must be an aura about me. Now if I could just get a job about me... another resolution!
• with a thumping disco beat: "San Diego Super Chargers, Charge!"

...and speaking of resolutions, I think I'll work on those next

*no explanation, just couldn't do the "year in review"