Of Roses and Resolutions

by snaggle at 01:35 AM on January 16, 2002

I wasn’t going to make New Year’s this year. It’s always seemed like something cliché, kind of like red roses, that didn’t really mean anything and were more tradition that anything else (especially since no one ever keeps their for the whole year. If we did, we’d probably all be saints by now.) The more I got to thinking about it, however, the more I realized that hey, I’m a sucker for clichés – I love red roses! I melt every time I get one (which is not often: Ben is actually the only boy who’s ever given me roses) and I get all mushy inside. (Side note: I’m not fishing for roses from the boy with this statement because he promised me he wouldn’t read the site so I could have a place to talk about him.)

As the semester starts and I get back into the daily grind of everything, I thought that maybe belated New Year’s were in order, especially since I have a lot of small changes I’d like to make to my life. Nothing earth-shattering, but still there are always a few things about oneself to change for the better. However, it seemed logical to also designate a few vices or “allowed slides” to balance out all the good. I’ve always been a “ten steps forward, one step back” kind of guy. So without further ado, here are my and my slides.

Resolution: to keep on top of my schoolwork so it doesn’t come back and bite me in the ass the day before things are due.
Resolution: to take care of my body by eating well. Last semester I was so busy I almost always ate out and I could really feel the impact on my body. Now I’ll get back to cooking, something that I love.
Resolution: to consume (in general) no more than five alcoholic beverages at any given social situation. I really don’t need to be tragically drunk and making an ass of myself.
Resolution: to work out. I’ve always wanted to be buff and look good, and for a short period of time I actually was doing it. Even though I could see and feel the difference, I got busy and let it go. This time I won’t.
Slide: I’ll accept the fact that I’m becoming an occasional smoker. What with going out to the bars, spending a lot of time with my friend Chris who smokes occasionally, and dating a smoker, it’s just becoming more and more available and something that I’m doing. But a couple cigarettes a week won’t kill me (yet) and I can always keep it under control.
Resolution: to pay attention to how I look. I’ve been accused of being a girly-girl sometimes and spending more time on my clothes and hair than most people, but the fact is that those of us with low self-esteem need small things to boost our self-image, and dressing nicely is one way to do that. I used to always wear a “uniform” of jeans and t-shirt or sweatshirt, but I started feeling better about myself when I actually paid attention to what I look like.
Slide: Often one of the costs of looking nice is having to spend more money on clothes and haircuts and such. However, at this point in my life, I can afford it. I’ll always try to hit the sales racks and thrift stores, but sometimes you just have to splurge.
Resolution: I’ll post more on BadSam!

So. There’s my list. You all have to help me keep them now. How about all of you? Have any of you made any interesting resolutions?

Oh, and one last one. Resolution: I will not always complain about school!