Ok, so that title is a bit dramatic, but I feel like a different person at 30. And I'm 30, baby! So entering a new decade is a big deal, dammit, and I'm excited about what's to come.
I never make New Year's Resolutions. I never really have, probably mostly because of their notoriety for breaking easily. It's like they're fine china. Regardless, I think I might give it a shot this year. And I'm not going to call them NYRs. Instead, I'm going to call them NYBEs, or New Year's Best Efforts. I think I'd be disappointed if I resolved to change something or approach something differently and I didn't do it. But I can certainly make my best effort to do or become XYZ. Catch my drift?
NYBEs for the next twelve months or so (in no particular order):
1. Run two marathons.
I'm running Madison in May. But what about Chicago or Columbus in October? I need running goals because without them, I don't run as often . I kind of need something to keep me focused, and having an end goal is that. I don't know if two marathons that close together is a bit ambitious (a few of us ran two marathons in 2005, but one was in February and one was in October), but we'll see. If it doesn't happen, oh well.
2. Do a tri
There's a great triathalon sprint (.5 miles swimming, 15 miles biking, 10k running) in Cleveland in June. My running partner loaned me a fancy road bike, and I think I'm going to do it. I've been threatening to do a tri for a while now, and I think this is the year.
3. Curb my swearing
I swear too much. And the funny thing is that I never swore before grad school. I think living with Sam and Miranda opened the door to the possibility of the f*bomb, but I'm taking it to a new level. I work with little kids and teachers all day. It's time to not worry if that is going to pop out at any given time.
4. Organize?
I have a lot of stuff. I have a hard time organizing all of it. I'd like to start pitching it, realizing the waste that is sucking out my life. We'll see how it goes, but I don't like being a slave to things.
5. Graduate with my Ph.D.
This is the most difficult NYBE. I don't really want to talk about it (or write about it here) because of the level of anxiety it induces. Here's hoping I can OWN that anxiety and use it for good. Please note that I am blogging right now instead of writing. Ha!
6. Budget the books
I don't manage my money. It flies out the window, and I don't even go out here in Cleveland. I'm 30. It's time to learn to live like a grown-up.
Are these NYBEs possible? I hope so. I'll give it a whirl! The only one that will kill me if it doesn't happen is the graduation. That'll be REALLY disappointing.
On another note, how about a cheer for some good albums that came out this year? I don't really buy that many new albums, but there were a few that caught my ear that I really dug.
TV on the Radio, Dear Science
This band is so extraordinary. They are phenomenal musicians and songwriters, but it's the production value that sets them apart from the rest. This album is catchy and interesting, and you hear new layers of stuff all the time.
Kanye West, 808s & Heartbreak
Ok, so Kanye is always pretty good, but what's really interesting about this album is how much it's not a hiphop album. It's a thoughtful, digital pop collection of great, albeit heartbreaking, tunes. Dig it.
Wynton Marsalis and Willie Nelson, Two Men Playing the Blues
This is a live recording from January of 07, but it is just great. It's warm and fuzzy and catchy and just plain feelgood. I love it!
Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend.
I hate loving it. But I do! It's so good! Melodic, Afro-pop yumminess with just enough hipster to get your inner skinny-pant wearing rocker totally dancing.
Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago
Ok, so you might want to slit your wrists listening to these sad, sad, lo-fi songs, but they're beautiful. What Bon Iver does with just his voice and a guitar on a multi-track recorder in the middle of BFE Minnesota is pretty stunning and elegant. Perhaps only for the nostalgic or faint of heart.
Mika, Live Parc Des Princes Paris
Guilty pleasure Euro-pop trashy (although creative) dance music. So much FUN!
Anyway, bring it on, 09!
1 comment:
um you forgot about the fleet foxes album. such goodness.
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