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Resolutions: How To Not Do What You’d Otherwise Like To

I have a feeling that if we didn’t do new year resolutions we’d simply get around to doing the things that we want to accomplish that year. Compartmentalising it into a list somehow removes some of our moral obligation to actually fulfil it and it then becomes… y’know, that list as opposed to the list. I suppose this is why many people don’t do them, they simply realise that it’s all a sham and fail to participate in the ongoing charade also known as their lives.

That said, I’m going to write them anyway… because, despite knowing they’re bullshit and that we all don’t even try to do much else than pretend to try to achieve them, some of these items are actually extremely important to me for this coming year and should be ticked off by the inexorable progression of time with the appropriate mindset.

And so, without further ado -

Resolutions ‘08

1. Find inspiration everywhere.

This is the tough one and by far the most ethereal and touchy-feely of the objectives for this year but after some recent soul searching I’ve come to the conclusion that everyone requires passion in their lives (no, not that kind and I’ve got plenty of that, thanks), and of course, I mean passion as in inspiration to do things well.

I may not be 100% happy with my chosen profession (or chosen academic past, for that matter) but I can try to make the most of it and 2008 seems a very likely year to do it. A very busy year for me professionally (potentially, given the ball gets rolling… which it sort of is already) and given that most of my resolutions revolve around kick-starting my idle hobbies, I’m looking to find the passion of doing what I can well wherever I can.

2. Learn more about cooking / Culinary school / “Stahge” in a kitchen.

For the past year I’ve become a rather devout “foodie” and have sought to embetter myself in the kitchen through getting more professional equipment and selecting the best of ingredients wherever possible. I will continue this through 2008 by any of the following methods above, home study, night classes or through contacts in the industry. This one is already taking care of itself so I’m confident I’ll be improving upon this resolution by the end of ‘08 as opposed to scraping by.

3. Stop playing online poker.

As of 22nd January, I’ve probably sank below my profitability watermark and beyond break-even into losses territory. Not the best idea for a hobby, really. Now, this doesn’t mean that live play as it pertains to “fun tournaments” and serious tourneys or very occasional casino trips is also curbed, as that’s a social thing more than a monetary thing. I feel that online poker disconnects much of what makes it an engaging “sport”, if you will. The ability to compete face to face using wits and instincts, not just your powers of observation and understanding of reshoving ranges!

As of 22nd January, FTP is uninstalled and from there it will remain. NO MORE DEPOSITS IN 2008!!!

4. Read at least one book a month.

I’m already looking thin on this one for the month of January but really, there’s at least 7 days left in the month so I don’t have an excuse for knocking over the remaining 2/3 of Woken Furies especially given this coming Australia-Day long-weekend. However, I used to be an avid reader and I attribute my lack of reading to my more immediate lack of writing, plus books are fun!

5. Produce at least one page of writing per week.

If achieved this paltry resolution would yield a grand total of 50 pages in a year. A little more than a novella, or perhaps a handful of short stories (my version of short runs to 8 or so pages). There was a time when I produced HUNDREDS of pages a year. There’s simply no excuse for this one.

6. Watch less TV.

Thanks, C.J., this one will be made difficult by you. *eyes the four seasons of The Wire sitting on his downloads box*

7. Cook less rich/fatty/creamy foods.

Having the occasional carbonara or the odd chicken wrapped in parma ham stuffed with soft cheese and poached in a red wine sauce is FINE, but not most nights of the week, no matter how much of an amatuer chef you consider yourself!! NOT GOOD.

More grilled meats and fish, as well as salads and veggie stir-frys.

8. Gain a stone or two in muscle.

Or kilos, or lbs, or whatever the fuck you call it, you metric/imperical bastards!