Alrighty then. Why not post a resolution or two? Here are the two biggies:
1. I resolve my finish my dissertation by the end of 2005. I don't mean it'll be approved by my committee. But the sucker will be substantially done, or I'll move on to some other, hopefully better, life than the life of stasis, stagnation, and stuckness that I'm currently leading. That means developing a schedule, sticking to it, integrating my teaching with my dissertation better, procrastinating less, making up my mind about key issues instead of dithering endlessly, etc. etc. etc.
2. I resolve to be in the best physical shape of my (31 year long, so far) life by the end of 2005. (I actually started this project in earnest over American Thanksgiving, but it was in anticipation of the resolution, so it still counts. ) That should be a lot of work, since I used to be in decent shape. But here are a few benchmarks that I'll be satisfied if I can achieve (though obviously focusing on them alone would be stupid):
a) 75 consecutive push-ups. If I'm remembering correctly, that would beat or equal my life time record dating from the summer when I was 14 and locked in a spirited push-up competition with my Dad (who sent me a letter when I was at summer camp lying - or rather, obviously joking, but I didn't get the joke - about the number of one-armed push-ups he could do, thereby pushing me into a competitive frenzy of push-up madness).
b) Aging tendons willing, I should be able to run at a reasonable speed to Prospect Park (quarter mile), around the perimeter of the park (4.5 miles, I think) and back without requiring medical treatment either during or (immediately) afterwards.
c) A six-(or four-)pack for my stomach. Alas, preliminary evidence suggests that I'm one of those mutant freaks who only has a four-pack. I'll know for sure when I get the last layer of lard burned off my mid-section. But you go to studdom with the body you have, not the body you want to have, and if I'm a mutant freak, so be it.
These two resolutions are related, actually. You may not be surprised to learn that the better shape I'm in, the more energy I have, which allows me to work longer and generally feel better, which encourages me to be in better shape, etc. etc. etc.
That's enough for one year, I think.
Posted by Chris at December 31, 2004 04:35 PMthe problem with your resolutions is that they might conflict with each other. it's easy to procrastinate on the diss by throwing yourself into exercise
Posted by: upyernoz at January 2, 2005 08:53 AMNaw, how long can I exercise in a given day? Not long, I tell you. I'm pretty lazy. On the other hand, there appears to be very little limit on how much I can blog, for example. So exercise is comparatively, uh, healthy as far as these things go.
Posted by: Chris at January 2, 2005 09:23 AMI resolve not to bring up the epic Iraq post ever again.
= )
Posted by: tex at January 2, 2005 09:51 PMDamn you! Damn you for reminding me of yet another incident in my life in which overweening pride preceded a crushing retreat and scaling back of ambitions and results.
Posted by: Chris at January 2, 2005 10:03 PMI can't believe that kegri left this post alone!? Perhaps his powers are fading!?
Posted by: Spaz at January 6, 2005 11:33 AMDon't encourage him!
Posted by: Chris at January 6, 2005 12:35 PM