2012 Resolutions...so far

2012 has begun on a marvelous note! Not only did my friend Abercathy throw a sensational New Year's Eve party (with a wacky version of charades, chocolate covered pretzels, and lots of sparkling grape juice), but we skipped town after midnight to shoot fireworks. Some of us weren't content with just fireworks though, so we played us some FIREBALL TENNIS (the brainchild of a friend who will henceforth be known as Mr. Insanity).

This was without a doubt my most memorable New Year's celebration yet, and the last few days of leisure before returning to work this week were unquestionably fabulous--full of Willow, good food, and good friends. Now I have something even better to look forward to next week (which I'll write about next week).

I debated actually making resolutions for the new year, since next week I'll be making goals for my 4th decade of life. But I couldn't resist the opportunity to catalog all the phenomenal things I'm going to do this year! Read 'em and weep.

• Make gnocchi successfully
• Moderate persistent Insalata Caprese craving
• Complete at least 100 pages of rubbish manuscript
• Get a crockpot and cook meals in it
• Amp resistance to personal blood-sucking demon (a.k.a take more iron pills)
• Avoid occupational termination
• Eat less sugar, more vegetables
• Reunite with thermals and Ingrid Michaelson
• Publish a scholarly article
• Pursue literary love affair with Leo Tolstoy
• Stop being upset about classic literature/musical cinematic adaptation casting decisions by focusing on happiness about classic fantasy cinematic adaptation casting decisions
• Have epic adventures in San Diego, Boston, Houston, and one more unknown destination (possibly Anaheim or Raleigh-Durham)
• Cultivate relationships with amazing, marvelous, and wonderful people (I might be able to squeeze in the awesome and intelligent ones, too)
• Learn lots of stuff

Lastly, my most practical lesson learned this holiday season: when loving parents ask what you want for Christmas, don't ask for something you know you'll eventually buy yourself. Ask for things you really need but forget every time you go to the store--like thumbtacks and plastic sheet protectors. Or a crockpot.