So three weeks into 2014 and I don’t have much to report. No concerts, plays or other interesting outings to report. I actually spend the first week of the year participating in a few intimate in-home gatherings, that’s not worth writing about. So what are my hopes for this year? Usually new beginnings beg for new resolutions. This year I decided to focus on strictly tactical resolutions as to not look back and see failure.

That means no:

• Lose winter weight and stop gaining winter weight (though I still need to lose weight)
• Find the perfect job within 20 minutes of my house (why lawd why must I commute so far)
• Meet the love of my life
• Stop spending so much money on frivolity (every year I think I will be some fabulous saver until Macy’s has its winter clearance (I got five sweaters for $12 each!)
• Change other people’s behaviors (yes, this has been a resolution of mine in the past, SMH)

On to the practical and seemingly achievable:

• Make it into the parking garage at work—this has been remarkably difficult, because 1) I am not a natural early riser 2) I have a long 45 – 60 minute commute 3) the garage is full by 8 a.m. This means I need to get dressed quicker, wake up earlier and stop messing around in the morning. It’s a highly complex resolution. That is why I have only been successful 2 out of 3 days so far. This also meant I was stuck in the muddy, crater-filled overflow lot, which is not a joyous place. I can do it!
• Take better care of my hair—I have been taking terrible care of my beautiful hair lately. This means clockwork washing (under the dryer now), regular trims and ultimately, going to the …ugh….salon!
• Put up my laundry—I have a serious problem.  I do laundry and sometimes forget it in the dryer for a week (when it’s time to do more laundry). Or sometimes it sits in a little pile for days. I now must return my laundry to its home within 24- 36 hours. My coworker actually gave me a wonderful suggestion to include important clothes (workout gear, underwear, socks) with every load, so that I remember to remove the clothes.
• Read more—my two books a month slipped to 1 book a quarter. I blame social media and candy crush. Before when I was bored, I would download a book to my Kindle and now I do the aforementioned things. Bad. All bad.
• Release some tension—one remarkable thing I notice in yoga. I am tight. Really tight. Like I went for massages last year tight. I gotta de-stress somehow and loosen up.
• Make me first – I do not do this at all. And I feel bad about it. And others make me feel bad about it. I am a born caretaker. I am a wonderful addition to the lives of basketcases. Have some weird neuroses, befriend me. I will get you on track, assist you and in return, I get nada. Well this ends. I will be totally selfish this year to see how it goes.

Those are my simple resolutions. Wish me luck!