Tuesday, January 02, 2007

A New Year is Upon Us (2007? Really? How!)

Sorry for the long gap between posts, but you were warned. I had a lovely vacation at home in PA, and although not much knitting was accomplished, a good time was had by all (I think). Finally I can post about all the Christmas knitting, but I'm going to save that for another post so I can discuss my New Year's resolutions on a date at least close to New Years. So, here goes. As always, I retain the right to change/ignore/keep these resolutions at my discretion...

Resolution 1: @ss off the couch
Everyone resolves to start exercising, or to lose 10 pounds. I have no need for this type of resolution, although I wouldn't object to losing 10 pounds. I'm quite an active person already, so starting exercising isn't really an issue for me. What is an issue is keeping at it consistently, because I am inherently lazy (aren't we all). While running today, it occurred to me that I've been running since 5th grade, and that that was 17 years ago. Let's pause to consider that. I can't believe I'm old enough to have been doing anything for 17 years. Anyway, what I mean to say is that running is something I'm used to doing, and that I've been doing for a long time, and although I've certainly spent some time off the wagon, it rarely lasts very long (months) before I feel guilty about it and lace up the shoes once more. So, I run. My goal with this resolution is to NOT fall off the running wagon, unless of course I injure myself or get on another wagon. The other part of this resolution is to watch less TV (hence the title). At least not on the couch. We'll see how this goes, since not being on the couch might interfere with the knitting. Maybe I'll drag the Poang over.

Resolution 2: Enough with the yarn
Let's face it. I have a lot of yarn. Too much yarn. So much that just looking at it stresses me out a bit. There is a bit of a Knit from your Stash movement going, and I wasn't so into the idea initially, but the more I thought about it the better it seemed. So, I'm going to give it a shot. I'm not going to follow Wendy's rules exactly, because I am weak and I need to start small. So instead of 9 months with no new yarn purchased, I'm going for 6 months, and I'm going to allow myself 3 exceptions, instead of 1 (see earlier point about weakness). Unlike Wendy, I think sock yarn DOES count, but I agree with her that yarn receieved as a gift (ahem) does not, and yarn can be purchased for gifts if there truly is NOTHING in the stash that will work. Let's see how this goes. I promise to tell you if I slip. Knitters are nothing if not forgiving...

Resolution 3: Do something epic
I'm into big things. Big as in difficult things that not everyone has the ability motivation to get involved with. I'm always having the urge to do something epic, but it usually festers just beneath the surface. However, I've been reminded of it from reading the latest issue of Outside. Outside is one of those magazines that I don't subscribe to yet often buy in airports (the other is In Style, but let's not go there). In this issue, they profiled the first person to ski from the summit of the highest peaks on every continent, as well as an ultra-marathon runner and other assorted crazy inspirational people. So I got to thinking I should do something interesting and note-worthy (to close friends and relatives at least, since I have to do something epic yet without a significant risk of death or dismemberment). Something that involves training (see resolution 1), because concrete goals help with motivation. What am I going to do? I'm not sure. I would like to:
1. Run another marathon.
2. Climb something tall and snowy.
There are other things, but they're not really epic, so I'll keep them to myself unless they come up and end up being worthy of note...

What are your resolutions? Oh, and if you can think of something epic for me, please share. Oh, I realize that abstaining from yarn purchasing might actually be an epic undertaking for me, but that's not quite what I have in mind...

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Great Post! I can't wait to hear what epic thing you choose! If you decide to climb something tall and snowy, you are welcome to visit me at 6200+ feet to aclimatize and/or train! Good luck on the yarn thing. That was said in the monotone I-have-my-doubts voice, but actually, you did pretty good for lent didn't you? Maybe I should think about this too. Nah, too much to worry about already!