New Years Resolutions

I usually don't do New Year's Resolutions. When I resolve to do something, I usually don't. When I was trying to quit smoking if I said, "I am going to quit smoking." I didn't. When I just didn't smoke it was easier to quit. I don't think that quite explains what I mean but thats how it is in my head.

This year, however, I've decided to make a couple of resolutions. Here they are in no specific order.

1. I will answer my phone when it rings and I am not in a situation where answering the phone would be rude.
-Addendum: I will call back when ever I am free.
- Exception: 1-800 #'s and Private numbers.

Historically, I am known as the guy who doesn't answer the phone. I hope you haven't taken offense. My mother is surprised when I answer the phone. Nuff said.

2. I will run four times a week. My running schedule will be Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. I will come up with a mileage schedule soon. Running is good for me. I need things that are good for me. Oh, and I've decided to put my running stuff in its own blog. So, if you are interested in my running here's the new blog. http://runlikeyourbeingchased.blogspot.com/ (note the typo in the address, this was done on purpose because the non-typo address was already taken).

3. I will paint, write, and play more. I have filled my life with non artistic things. Art is good for me. I need to make that more of a priority. I know this one doesn't have a quantifier or a goal to keep but I will make the effort. And that is good enough for me.

4. I will run a sprint triathlon, three 5ks, a 10k and a half marathon in 2009. At least. Barring injury. You gotta have goals.

5. I will post in this at least once a week. So far so good.

That's what I got right now. I realize though that every day is a day to make resolutions and reserve the right to do so at anytime. Like I said in my last post its good to take stock, find room for improvement, and pat yourself on the back.

Why New Years?

I started asking myself the question, why do we celebrate New Years? Is it just another excuse to party? Is it really that important to celebrate an insignificant day that we have titled "The first day of the year?"

New Years is different from other holidays in that nothing significant took place to determine its day. But it is none-the-less important to celebrate New years. New years give pace to our passing of time. It give man a reason to stop and take stock of the passing of time. Was 2008 a good year? Why? What is going make 2009 different. It's like hitting the reset button. You could feasibly hit that button any time, but there is something awesome about the whole world hitting it together.

What happened in my life in 2008:

-I completed my first year of teaching. Looking back it doesn't seem so bad, but at the time there were certainly times where I thought about throwing in the towel.
-I began my second year of teaching. This year has provided its own challenges, but I do enjoy teaching. Ironic.
-2008 was the first year that has gone wholly by without me being in a serious committed relationship since 1996.
- I successfully quit smoking.
-I improved my credit score by 200 points.
-I started a Masters Degree.
-I learned how to two step.
-I made a couple new fantastic friends

I'm sure there are more points here than this but these are the things that stick out. 2009 will be better than 2008. Of that I am sure.