Jan. 1

Happy New Year's folks, hope you all celebrated in style. I had a relatively subdued evening, but that was a hell of a lot better than the violent illness I experienced last new year's.

I was trying to think if I had any notable New Year's resolutions. I don't know, it seems to me that New Year's resolutions are typically an exercise in futility. There's something so concrete, so definite about them that just sets one up for failure. I think one of mine for the last year was to read more books. Maybe a book a month. Well, I failed horribly in that regard, meaning I do not have a neat stack of 12 completed books anywhere. However, I did read a few, which is a positive step.

In keeping with that, I think instead of making resolutions, I'll just think of areas where I need to expand a bit. I think the top of my list this year is going back to living a more healthy lifestyle. Although realistically, I probably will not get the regular workouts of the hard body plan, I can do my own exercises and watch what I eat. When the weather warms up, I can start riding my bike to school again, which will be positive.

Again, I would like to expand my reading. I got a gift card to Barnes and Noble from my friend for taking care of his rabbit while he's in Mexico, so I went and purchased a collected volume of four of E.M. Forster's novels. I think I'll read those. I'm actually in the middle of Fanon's "Wretched of the Earth" right now. I found it in the Luther library book sale last year, remembered talking about it in my civil rights course, and thought it'd be interesting. It is. I also want to read The Motorcycle Diaries, finish Founding Brothers, and maybe start in on Dark Continent. It's about Europe's twentieth century, it was actually a book assigned for a course I took in England but (cough) failed to read (cough). It looks interesting though.

I think I also want to be a bit more exploratory. Admittedly, I'm somewhat of a creature of habit. I enjoy routine, familiarity. But in such a vibrant community as the Twin Cities, I should really take advantage of different opportunities. That would also require a re-prioritization of funds I suppose, but that'd probably be okay. I could sacrifice a few CD's for a ticket to an orchestra concert.

Going along with that, it would be nice to be a bit more socially exploratory. Maybe reconnect with some older friends I've fallen out of contact with, hopefully make some new ones. I think this will be the most challenging area of expansion.

I had a hellish week at work. Pharmacy is not my life's passion, nor is retail. Just have to get through today, then I'm done for a while. My cousin is in town this weekend, so I'm hoping to hook up with him and maybe grab some lunch or something. Have to feed this stupid rabbit, etc, etc, etc. I think on Monday, I'll spend the day drinking coffee and watching Seinfeld. Unless something more exciting comes along.