Because Breaking Them Will be Just as Much Fun as Making Them

After a New Year's Eve spent the traditional way (for the past 3 years anyways) - with a bottle of whiskey, watching illegal aerials, and listening to the rest of my family telling me just how much of an alcoholic I've become - it is once again time for some New Year's resolutions. And this year, I actually have more than one!

1. Write more. I know I'm always saying this, but I figure if I put a definite number, like say "I want to write one page a day of anything, everyday" it'll hopefully turn into something. I'll even take one, filled page of just doodles and sketches to be thrown away later on. I'm not asking for one page of productive work, just a page of anything to show myself at the end of it that "Hey, look. I just sat down and did something on paper. And I still remember how to hold a pen!"

Besides, it would give me a use for all these notebooks I've collected over the years. I'm most proud of the thin, Naruto and Gundam ones in the front that I got in Odaiba when we went to see the Giant Gundam and what appeared to be a Shonen Jump festival, I think. And those 5 Moleskins in the middle row are great too (I think its something about the paper, or maybe the covers). Also those unlined composition notebooks in the top row since they're pretty hard to find most times.



I guess regarding the whole writing more... I'll try to update this blog more often. Don't get your hopes up - I'm not talking about everyday or even once a week. I'm thinking once a month (by the way, this counts as one for this month) so I at least feel like I'm putting my English degree to use. I hope this is enough to satisfy all three of my readers (you know who you are). Hell, maybe I'll even start using pictures too... though don't get your hopes up. I don't think its fair for either of us to put in the extra effort - for me: the work to take and post pics; for you: the extra time it takes to scroll passed them.

2. I resolve to stop being so lame and go out more often. During these past three months of employment I've turned down dozens of invites to dinners, bowling, and just mere post-work happy hours because I was too tired from work or because I had to go to work the next morning. These, I've decided, are no longer valid excuses (starting today if you're keeping track since the new year began). I've treated post-grad life with too much responsibility and its time to start surviving off of the mere 3-4 hours of sleep like I used to back in college. Its not like I drive anymore so I can get a good hour long nap on the bus. Besides, I've got an income now so why the fuck not spend a couple dollars on a beer or three a couple nights a week? It's not like my job requires me to be that attentive and as long as I maintain a semi-professional appearance I don't think anyone is gonna give a crap. Of course, there will always be other circumstances in which I will not be able to make it (like not having a ride there or back home, etc) and I'll leave these as loopholes so it doesn't count as breaking them.

3. I'm going to try to care more. This one I'm keeping vague so I won't feel bad about breaking it later (or when I decide it was a bad idea to begin with). Mostly though it means actually paying attention to that blabber coming out of other people's talking holes and maybe even staying on topic during a conversation. I'm also gonna try things like remembering people's names the first time I meet them, not getting unnecessarily drunk, and recycling.

Sadly, this is what I normally look like on the inside while
you're talking, sometimes even on the outside too.
(photo courtesy of Diane)

I even plan to, once in a while, have a mature, adult-like conversation about important things with a serious look on my face (perhaps even one that shows concern or even interest in the topic). Because, trust me, right now that smile on my face while you're talking means that not only am I not paying any attention to the words spewing from your mouth, but that the next words from my mouth are guaranteed to bring a smile or scowl to your face (though its usually the scowl).


4. I guess on this same topic, but I think I can still consider it separate, one good deed a day. "Alan can't do one good deed in a month," you say. Well, trust me, you're right. But this isn't Pay it Forward. By "good deed" I don't mean giving someone a car or letting a homeless man live in my garage. I just mean simple shit that I probably do everyday without realizing it. Like holding a door open, letting someone else take the last seat on the bus, not smoking in a spot where people walk often, not tailing someone for 10 miles after they cut me off. Easy stuff that I'll now get a chance to feel good about doing since I've resolved to do them. Maybe it'll even spur me into doing actual good deeds... maybe.

"This is a test of endurance. Hold book above head and time yourself"

I guess four is good enough for this year. Besides I'll probably break them several times over just this next month.

I also plan to complete this book, This is not a Book, by the end of the year. So, if you catch me doing anything stupider than what I normally would do I hope I can use the tasks in this book as an excuse.

Its looking like the start of a great year yet again.