New Year's Resolutions - Revisited

Last year, I made some New Years Resolutions. Since 2008 is upon us, I thought I would revisit these and see how I did. The first 10 were not serious resolutions, but let's check them out anyway. New comments are in BOLD RED

1. I resolve to make at least one comment per day that makes someone call me a jerk, an asshole or if I'm feeling especially sarcastic, a douchebag (like the girl at work called me when I made fun of her furry shoes.) Mission Accomplished!!! While it wasn't everyday, I pretty much held fast and true to this one. My funny-only-to-me jokes had people exasperated all year.

2. I resolve to shock the hell out of people by actually showing up to their function and not being anti social every weekend. I had a nice little run of going out for most of the year. True, I still had my sit around and do nothing moments, but not as many as in the past.

3. I resolve to become addicted to some activity, be it blogging, Playstation, internet porn, or Comcast On Demand. No real new addictions to speak of. I guess you can say I was re-addicted to blogging in November and December, but I think its still within healthy levels.

4. I resolve to look longingly at women and then not talk to them because of my self diagnosed Social Anxiety Disorder. *sigh* I guess I have to admit that I still do this.

5. I resolve to make excuses for my behavior, rather than changing it (see # 4) Not really, In 2007 I became more about accountability. Even if I didn't change any behaviors, I accepted responsibility for it.

6. I resolve to mock whatever form of music is popular in '07, and secretly like some of it. Yep, for as much smack as I talked about the radio this year, you could catch me rapping or singing along with it from time to time. Even that ridiculously bad T. Pain... I wouldn't necessarily turn off "Buy You A Drank"

7. I resolve not to buy a CD again before I hear it. Thanks Nas for helping me out with this one. I really want to like Hip Hop is Dead, but it ain't working out for me. I eventually did like Nas' album, and I bought 3 CD's just off the strength of liking the artists and it worked out for me. Other than that, Limewire is my best friend.

8. I resolve to avoid phone calls from people that I used to be cool with and then call them a month or two later and act like nothing happened. Did that. Also, just never called some people back at all.

9. I resolve to drive around aimlessly while trying to decide what to get to eat, then get fed up and come home starving and eat oatmeal. Let me count the days I did this one, except instead of oatmeal, it was usually a peanut butter and jelly sandwich until I inexplicably became allergic to peanuts about halfway through the year. Then I switched it up to hot pockets or cereal.

10. I resolve to start an ambitious project and then get bored or writer's block and just stop, while leaving people hanging. Yeah, I'm still not finished with my novels, but at least I didn't keep the blog hanging. When I started a story, I finished it.


Then I got serious and came up with some real resolutions. Let's check my progress...

1. I resolve to have, in the words of everyone's favorite oversinging R&B diva, "No More Drama." I'll say about 80% of the year, I was drama free. That's a whole lot better than last year. I did have some war of the exes stuff going on in the beginning, but I think that's all over.

2. I resolve to make myself a priority and make sure the people around me treat me as such. Wow, I took this one to heart. I actually think I took this one too far. I became inflexible in 07. It was all about me, and if you couldn't get with it, then too bad for you. I may need to pull this one in a little in 08. With the exception of my family, I didn't do anything I didn't want to do, no compromise in me at all. That's not good. LOL

3. I resolve to start going out more or at the very least get a life outside the internet. I went out some. Lots of going to the bar, some dates, a concert or two, couple of football games, clubbing, general hanging out. Nothing excessive, but good enough for me.

4. I resolve to get promoted within 6 months. If you can call it a promotion, it took 8 months. I actually don't want anymore promotions until I can figure out my next move. I guess I shouldn't have put that application in at work today.

5. I resolve to take care of my health better this year. And yes that includes finally getting some new contact lenses. Mixed bag here. I got new contacts and glasses. I had only needed them for like 3 years. I actually went to the doctor when I was sick instead of letting it go away on its own, so that's progress. On the flip side, I gained back 10 of the 40 pounds I had lost in 06. I guess losing weight by doing nothing doesn't last forever.

6. I resolve not to become involved in other people's mess. See # 1. Absolutely, I killed this one. For once, nobody could say, Rashan said this or Rashan said that. Hell, they couldn't even find Rashan. I was so self absorbed this year that anybody else's mess had no chance of getting on my radar. Its also hard to get caught up when you don't answer the phone. LOL

7. I resolve to stop being late. I'm actually doing a lot better at this one. I get to work like 45 minutes early b/c I'm trying to avoid traffic. I still get to work on time, but I have been known to show up at functions 2-3 hours late. Mostly, its because everything goes down either too early or on the other side of town. Why can't my friends get together at night like normal people? They act like they got a curfew or something. LOL

8. This is a repeat from last year, but I resolve to spend more time with my family. I'm doing pretty good at this one too so far. Another winner! You can see from all the pictures I put up, that my family is a very big part of my life. And you know what I love about this? We can just BE, it doesn't have to be a big emotional deal when I take the kids out to the mall or to dinner. It's just a cool Uncle hanging with his cool nephews and niece.

9. I resolve to force myself to eat, even when I am not hungry. No more going two days without eating. Big fat stinkin' failure. Although I haven't gone 2 days without eating, I have skipped a day here or there. And I still only eat one big meal a day, messing up my metabolism. I can't seem to manage to eat more often.

10. Finally, I resolve to continue my journey of personal growth, understanding that I don't know all the answers and I'm not always right. (It killed me to type that last sentence.) Here's the deal. The more I try to humble myself, the more I realize that I am always right. Okay, realistically I know that I'm not always right, per se, but lets just say, my first impressions are usually correct. I don't know why or how, but in 07, I've been right way more than I've been wrong about people. That being said, I know I don't have all the answers. But I think I have grown to the point where I am accepting of people's differences, and don't particularly judge them for disagreeing with me. I know I just typed a whole lot to say a whole little, but dig this. I know my journey of personal growth will never be over, but I like where I am at this point.

No resolutions this year. At least none that I care to share with anyone else. I have a few in mind, but they are gonna have to take place later in the year. January 1st is too close to accomplish these. But you know me, it wont be long before I spill the beans, especially on one of those nights when I have nothing left to blog about. Everybody have a Happy and safe New Years Eve and I'll see you in 08. *insert corny rhyming 2008 saying here*