Classic Rant #163 (December 31, 2009): New Year’s Resolutions

Here is my first annual Ranting and Raving New Year's Resolutions.

2010 appears to be an interesting year in our country and for me personally, so I thought I would draw up a couple of resolutions, and then a year from now, see if I was able to hold to them.

I doubt it, but you never know.

1) Don't eat as much as I did in 2010: Yes, this is a common New Year's resolution, but the fact of the matter is that I went to town in 2009. I don't want to do that again. The last few weeks, in particular, have been killers. I am taking the "less is more" philosophy." Let's see if it works.

2) Use my credit cards less: With all the monkey business that credit card issuers are pulling with their cards, I think it is best that I hold back using what I have, and only use them in emergencies. Let me see if I can start paying these things off, and then getting rid of them entirely.

3) Ask for a raise: I haven't had one in three or four years, and although the economy stinks, maybe this is a good time to ask for a raise. Even if I don't get one immediately, I have put the bug in the proper peoples' minds that I need something more, and maybe they will accommodate me later.

4) Listen to myself more when I make a decision: I have a habit of second-guessing myself, and then, when things don't work out, I blame myself. "Why didn't I listen to myself the first time?" is what often goes through my mind. Well, maybe I will listen to myself more in 2010.

5) Be more active: This really ties into No. 1 on the list. I was never very athletic--although I loved and played lots of sports--but in my 50s, I, well, just sit there. Maybe I can become more active, not necessarily exercise, but just be more active, shoot hoops with my son, something like that.

6) Tie loose strings together from my past: Not that I haven't done this, but I want to continue to do this in 2010. I grew up during a wonderful/terrible time in the 1960s and early 1970s in a community in Queens, New York, that I still have many ties to through people that I know. I want to further cultivate those relationships, because they are still strong, even after 40 years.

That is all I can think of now.

I also resolve to continue to write my Ranting and Raving insights each and every week for the foreseeable future. It is a lot of fun, and I know people are visiting ... even though my posts don't receive many comments.

People from the U.S., Europe and other continents around the world do come here, and I have tried to make this site as enjoyable as possible. I resolve to continue to do that in 2010.

Everyone have a wonderful 2010, and I will speak to you again on Monday, January 4.