New Year's Resolutions, Thank You and Change, and Monthly Movie Night

Happy New Year!

I have to admit that I'm a sucker for the new year. While I don't re-up my gym membership every January, I do have a real tendency to get excited and almost giddy at the beginning of each new year. Like a new box of crayons or a new pair of shoes, a fresh start to Time Spent offers not only exciting possibilities for life and surroundings, but also real chances for spiritual renewal and growth (in every way Except size).

This year is no different. What follows are my New Year's Resolutions for 2009:

1. Lose 10 pounds. Ridiculous that I'm at the weight I swore in college that I would NEVER be at. Also, I've noticed that my gluteus maximus seems intent on a crash course with my ankles. Sad that I'm not even joking on this one. However, my niece, Meghan, is getting married in June, and weddings have worked well as incentive for me in the past, so I am very optimistic about this resolution.

2. Keep my brain busier. More reading, more writing, more legal analysis, more crosswords; all in an effort to push the overwhelming threat of dementia further out of my mind. Less TV (including news and commentary shows) may also help me achieve this goal.

3. Be healthier, about myself, my family and the environment. No idea how exactly to do this. If I make healthier consumption a resolution, though, at least it will simmer below the surface of my decisions. The thought of finding out my carbon footprint scares the heck out of me, but may be a good first step to making a difference. Doesn't mean I'll give up my Lexus SUV (heck, gas prices are so low now), but at least my intentions are good ones, right?

So far, I only have 3. Few enough that I have a chance of accomplishing them.

Thank You! and Change ....

To all my faithful readers, thank you so much for your kind words and support over the past several months. It's been fun connecting with people, and laughing at myself and the whirlwind of life around our family. I hope to keep up the blog, and make it better, over the coming months. I'd love to hear suggestions, and hope those of you who send me emails with your comments, will feel able to post them instead.

Along those lines, one of my semi-New Year's Resolutions is to not go crazy when it's completely obvious that my kids and close family members have not read the blog. I understand everyone's busy and this type of personal exposure doesn't appeal to everyone. It's my nature, though, to have expectations, especially of close friends and family, and, well, even though my skin has somewhat thickened as I've aged, I will never be as lighthearted and go-with-the-flow as I would like. I'm the first to admit that I don't read every emotional truism or political joke sent to my email box, and we've already discussed at least one of my children who still doesn't understand why I write the blog. Suffice to say, he's not alone.

A specific change to Chasing Shade, however, will be that I won't be emailing updates any longer (after this one). There are a couple of reasons for this. First, I have many friends who tell me they get the email updates on their iPhones or Blackberry, and have a difficult time reading there. Second, I feel like I've imposed long enough. If you would like to read Chasing Shade, it is easy to be notified automatically of updates. Third, one longtime friend recently told me that it is "really a bit presumptuous" for me to think that people would actually go to my website to read Chasing Shade without my sending emails requesting them to do so (she had told me directly that she hadn't read the blog, that if I expected her to do so I should send her an email, and when I told her that I had been sending her emails regarding the blog and updates, she professed to still not reading, so I'm thinking presumption on my part isn't really the issue....).

My cousin David should know he has a special place in my heart for being the first follower of Chasing Shade. And, Lil Sis should also know her feedback and support have been amazing, part of what keeps me writing (to the complete consternation of others, I'm sure) and is truly appreciated. I think blogging and commenting are somewhat a generational thing, as young people are a bit more comfortable signing up for open links online, and with the internet generally. In any case, you can sign up as a follower for updates (just click on the Follower indicator on this page and add your email), or you can just check in sporadically, when you have some free time.

Monthly Movie Night

I've decided to start a Monthly Movie Night. Akin to a book club, but not nearly as established or formal, I welcome any and all to join me (and sometimes Bill) on the second Tuesday of the month for whichever movie cannot be missed. I don't think I'm alone in not being able to find any time to see the movies currently showing. This past vacation, Julia and I made it a priority to see several kids movies (Bedtime Stories, The Tale of Despereaux, and even Marley & Me), but I still haven't seen any of the great grown-up movies currently showing, like "Doubt," "Slumdog Millionaire," "The Reader," etc., etc. Establishing a fixed time to see a good movie -- like a monthly bridge game or book club meeting -- seems like a good idea.

As soon as movie times become available, I'll post the movie and time on Chasing Shade, under "Movie of the Month." I'm thinking that "Doubt" with Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman will be the debut CS Movie of the Month. Stay tuned for location (probably The Loop) and time (closest to 7:30, as any later and I'm falling asleep). This way, anyone who wants to see a new movie has a very specific window of opportunity to do so. We'll see how it goes.