New Year's Resolutions... a little late

Since it is my dad's birthday, I am re-evaluating my life--which I usually do on people's birthdays. I've decided to follow the theory of "You can't love someone else until you love yourself," and I have set out some new goals, or late New Year's Resolutions, to help me start to accomplish this task.

1. Take time for myself--at least 5 minutes every day. Whether it is just enjoying a cup of coffee, taking a mental break, or writing a blog, I need a few minutes to devote to me.

2. I want to make a list of one thing I like about myself each day, and I would like to write a journal entry of something I want to improve upon or something I have noticed about myself.

3. I would like to get involved in writing fiction again.

4. Focus on a regular exercise schedule again. I have been sort of on one, but I have had a foot injury and really need to suck it up and get over being a wimp about it.

5. I need to stop taking everything personally and being overly sensitive. This is a tough one. And #6 goes with it.

6. I need to know that my opinions are worthy, and I need to speak up when I am upset about something rather than kitchen sink it.

7. I need to figure out how the hell to accomplish #5 and #6.

8. I want to look into a volunteer opportunity; I need to give something back to humanity... as Miss America and cheesy as that sounds.

9. I want something S and I can look forward to each month. Something to mark on the calendar.

10. I also want to plan something, at least once a month, with my mom and dad, separately.

11. I want to take the pups for a walk or do something special with them once a week.

12. I want to read, at least 30 minutes a day, from a book, whether it be fiction, self-improvement, or historical.

13. I want to find a hobby, like organizing my photos.

14. I want to go through the junk mail and try to keep the house up more.

15. I would like to keep a book of quotes that I like.

16. I want to face reality, regain some confidence, and like who I am.

So, there they are. If they follow normal resolutions, I should have messed them up in a couple days, a week tops. Hopefully, since they are March resolutions, they will last longer.

I know they sound corny, but, you know, we all need a little corn in our lives.

Wish Lists

You know how Amazon has a Wish List? Don't you wish people did, too. Seriously. You create a Wish List of all the things you want people to know, but you can't tell them. Or you just create a list in general.

For example, "Wish List of My Future." I want kids by 25, a house in Connecticut, the house must have 3 bedrooms. I want a husband how knows how to unicycle and a white dog with black spots named Barney. There. Those are the key things. If your goals do not meet mine, you need not apply.

This list could also spawn other lists. Just think of it: Things I Wish My Boss Knew, Things that Turn Me On, Things I Wish You Would Do for Me, Things I Actually Want for Christmas. (Well, for some people that last one already exists.)

Then there are the negative lists: Why I Do Not Like Your Family, What Not to Do After Sex, Things You Do That Aggravate Me. Oh, the possibilities.

And the best part? There would be an online index of the lists in a little computer that people could just plug into our USB port on our wrist or something. (We can't risk taping such valuable information to our clothes; it could get lost. It could also lead to embarrassment, "Hey, I, uh, found this list on the ground. Is it yours? Do you like playing Mortal Kombat as part of foreplay?" No, that would not be a good thing.

It would have to be a computer. A mini computer with a list of all our lists. No dialogue. No secrets. Just pure, unbridled bluntness. You just plug in, and it's all right there. Who each of us is. All of it. Right there. In our wrist. Or somewhere.

*inhales*

Obamas Give Crappy Gifts

Have some class. Have some decency. You represent the United States of America.



As a Democrat, I read this article and just shook my head. I know that we are having tough financial times in this country and Obama has a lot on his plate--and he has already done a few good things in office--but when the Prime Minister of another country comes to visit, know enough to know that you need to bestow upon him and his family some decent gifts. It's called manners. Even if our nation is struggling, hold your head up high and put on a show; it's not like the government can't afford it. I realize that the Obamas give their daughters like $1-$2 a week as an allowance, while the Obamas treat themselves to huge, Wednesday night gala dinner parties. (I wonder if the girls will be benefiting from a stimulus package?) I also know that the girls either get a birthday party or presents, while at the same time their parents dress them in designer clothes. Paradoxical, but I digress. If you want to raise your children to value the dollar, while it still has some value, fine. But when you represent this nation to the world, show a little class, please. And if you don't know what you are doing, have enough balls to ask someone before you embarrass our country, which is already being looked down upon internationally.

Could this be being blown out of proportion? Probably.
Am I still annoyed? Completely.

Further reading

First Time

I totally went to my first hockey game Friday night. It was awesome! I really loved it. I went with my dad and S. I had never gone to a game (of any kind) before. (Well, once in high school my girlfriend and I bought tickets from a scalper for a U of M hockey game, but I don't remember it.) Anyway, I had a great time. We were in the first row, right up against the glass. The first time a puck hit the glass, we all jumped a foot. The best part was when the players would slam up against the glass right in front of us. At first I didn't know what to do, but then, once I got into it, I really enjoyed it. The weirdest part was that there was no commentary, like on TV. I was totally thrown about that one. The dog from Marley & Me was there, because of a Dog Show in Detroit. And there was the cutest Pee Wee Playoff thing with these tiny kids in all this padding; they could barely move. In the end, we had fun, we ate in the Olympia Club, the Wings won, and I like hockey all the more. I also like that I have a special memory with my dad and S.

(I will write more about this in my journal... and maybe post it here later.)

FYI: We ended up on TV--and probably on the Jumbotron-like thing. *Ugh* My dad and I were clearly on, but S... well, S was behind a pole. My mom taped it and then two people at work made it a point to say that they saw us...

When you care enough...

to send the very best, you send a Hallmark. When you really want to tell your loved ones you care, you get life insurance--or so the ad says. Actually, it is a good idea. And this advertisement really got me. It's probably because S and I are talking about life insurance now that it spoke to me more so than normal, but I just thought I would share it.



I just like it. And I like that he started the conversation.