Say You Wanna Resolution?

Given that we’re just one week into the New Year I don’t think it’s too late to resolve that I better myself over the next 365 days (minus 8) in some way, shape, or form. When you think about it December is just too damn busy a month to ponder the how, what, and why of achieving realistic goals one might set for themselves in the coming months. So it is much more realistic to spend the hours between the remnants of the BCS football games examining our inner child (bad inner Bennie – you deserve a spanking! Should we ask Joan for one?), or the nature of being (“I like to watch”), or even explore the meaning of life (“So what’s it all about anyway?”).

I’ve read about some pretty lofty goals in the Blogosphere for 2009, hovering just out of my reach. In fact I’ve attempted a few of those myself over the past few decades of my existence – aspirations such as dieting, more exercise, turning bad habits back into vices all begin the year basking in the sparkling glow of that beautiful Tiffany Crystal Ball of Times Square only to be found under the couch next to the plastic champagne glass while spring cleaning in April – dusty, moldy and unfulfilled.

That is why this year I have chosen to simplify what I plan to accomplish in 2009. 2008 pretty much sucked donkey (I really don’t know what that means but I’ve heard other Southerners use it so I feel qualified to do likewise). If there’s anything I don’t want to look back upon New Years Day 2010 it is scanning the following list and not seeing a positive check mark next to each one. So without further ado, I give you my Incredibly Difficult Life Experiment (IDLE) of 2009 (in no particular order):

1. This year I plan to breathe. Regularly. In fact I just might inhale and exhale fairly often in 60-second intervals. Some of you might be skeptical of this ambition’s merit. Well I give you Ben, who recently made it very clear that breathing is indeed a choice. I choose smog, pollen, and the occasional second hand smoke.

2. I vow that in 2009 I will quit smoking. Since I don’t enjoy cigarettes and rarely partake of a celebratory cigar (like when Joan and I have sex) this will mean that I will have to refrain from setting my hair on fire at family gatherings. Several nieces and nephews have been known to bring marshmallows to holiday meals…just in case.

3. I really wanted to take this one on in 2009 but I’m probably going to put off procrastinating for another year…at least.

4. In 2009 I resolve to get up every morning. That’s right. No sleeping until Joan gets home from work. That doesn’t mean that I won’t go back to bed once everyone leaves the house. Just sayin.’

5. One of the most difficult resolutions I’ve chosen is the decision to not hug bears in 2009. This includes all types including grizzly, black, brown, polar, koala, panda, kodiak, Stearns, Chicago, Build-a, Teddy, as well as cubs (Lou Pinella, no hugs for you!). Honestly this is a life-changing moment for me. I am certain that the length quality of my life will improve dramatically because of this.

6. Another resolution that will require much discipline is my choosing to keep my clothes on in most social settings this coming year. I cannot in good conscience include all situations. There are certain folks who have planned family activities around certain holidays during the year (like Presidents Day).

7. I vow above all that I will not purchase a sheep in this New Year. This is a very personal decision for me and I would hope you would respect my privacy so that I wouldn’t have to answer uncomfortable questions.

8. Despite the fact that our family are strict carnivores, we will eliminate certain meats from our diet this year. We include these but are not limited to the following: cat, aardvark, rodent, porpoise, shark, bear (see above), rhino, horse, grasshopper, deer penis, turtle, snake, spider, cricket, kangaroo, opossum, any sort of liver, heart, brain, intestine, procreation organ (and I don’t mean Hammond). We reserve the right to eat our dogs should the current financial crisis continue. I am certain our Chihuahua will be quite tasty as Chile con carne.

9. Huffing paint intentionally this year is right out.

10. Please add some suggestions of your own. At the moment my inner child is asking for a bottle and the nature of my being is into peeing. I look forward to your suggestions and I promise to follow through with some of them as soon as that frigging bear stops looking over my shoulder.