And the crowd goes wild.

Well, that’s based upon my last-minute perusal of the action at Times Square. It was far more sedate in my family room. We broke out the smoked oysters, though–a family tradition since the dawn of time and I chalk their presence up to all the Dane genes. Luckily, for me, mine stop short at pickled herring, although I will buy a jar of the ‘delicacy’ for my mother. My sister refuses to even do that.

Obviously the French genes hold sway against most pickled items–except for things that should be pickled, like say, pickles.

Which has nothing to do with my thoughts of the morning. What few they are and scattered. Sleep eluded me about the time my allergies kicked in and the sneezing started.

Still, there’s a little resolve that I haven’t quite sneezed loose and much honest appraisal.

Writing: not enough in 2010, and certainly not consistently enough.
Resolution: stick butt in chair daily. Fifteen minutes, that’s all I’m asking of myself. And probably in the morning, because by afternoon that looks like a huge chunk of time and too much to accomplish.

Submissions: a grand total of three short stories went out last year. I’ve got to boost that up to an average of one a month in 2011.
Resolution: Pick through and rewrite what needs revision and send it out again.

Uncluttering: made some impact toward the latter part of this year. I’ll continue being ruthless. It’s getting easier to part with stuff, and more regularly.
Resolution: get rid of the quilting fabrics–except for landscapes. That I can still see myself doing on a few occasions. And clean more drawers and closets. My heavens, I’ve got a lot of stuff.

Exercise: was hit or miss for me in 2010. Mostly miss except for the summer, as usual.
Resolution: make it a priority. Thirty minutes of something–walking, gym, DVDs–is not going to kill me. Also, continue working on getting control of a hula hoop. Now that I know I don’t do complete circles with my hips (thanks, Wii and Slug!) I can focus on that.

Food: my carb addiction continues unabated.
Resolution: feed it five to nine fruits and veggies a day. It can’t hurt and might even redirect it.

Television: the bigger flat screen calls.
Resolution: watch a few more movies and maybe check out Netflix. Try not to find myself watching the intense stuff from the kitchen, like I did last night. Intensity on the big screen is… well, bigger. And more intense. Kicks me right into flight mode.

Now let’s see if public accountability does the trick. Seeing that I suddenly realized that I’m on for the Posse next Sunday via Skype, I should think that the fifteen minutes (or more) a day is a go this week. Like all of it today and tomorrow. In and around taking down the tree and putting Christmas away.

Resolution: More paranoia in 2011. New! improved! and constructive! paranoia.