2012 Resolutions

Click for source.

In 2012, I resolve to:

1. Adopt, raise, and train a healthy and happy dog.
2. Keep running, even though I hate it.
3. Read 75 books. (Down from last year, because I need to be less competitive with myself about my reading goals. I read like a maniac this year.)
4. Stop interrupting people when they are talking.
5. Take the GRE. Start thinking more seriously about whether to go to grad school.
6. Go hiking more often.
7. Make books of all received letters; get them out of those musty shoeboxes.
8. Dress better; stop schlepping around in frumpy clothes.
9. Memorize scripture.
10. Call my family more often.
11. Read that book of Japanese short stories in Japanese.
12. Take a graduate-level English class at UVA, if feasible.
13. Improve my calligraphy skills with the flexible nib.
14. Spend more time with women.

How about you? Figured out any of your new year’s resolutions yet?

Things I want to do in 2012

Me, next year. Click for source.

Yes, I like to make my new year’s resolutions very early. In fact, one could say that I am in a perpetual state of making new year’s resolutions. Continuous goal-making is a blessing/curse we inherited from our mother. (Grace has the worst case of it, but then again, she’s the most accomplished of us all, so maybe there is something to this mania for making resolutions.)

Things I Want To Do in 2012

1. Get a dog, which I don’t have to tell you. I already have. Like, a hundred times.
2. Take a graduate-level English class at UVA.
3. Take the GRE.
4. Go hiking more often.
5. Read 75 books (down from this year’s goal of 100, because I think I’ll be cutting down on my dog reading).
6. Take a beginner’s ballet class.
7. Try to take my writing more seriously; publish something, somewhere. (How’s that for ambiguity?)
8. Improve calligraphy business; hone skills with flexible nib.
9. Finish reading the remainder of Shakespeare’s plays (I think I have 19 more to go. Eek).
10. Decide what I’m going to do with my life.

Do you have any goals for next year already? Am I the only one?

Delayed Snax

City limit sign. I walked home (approx. 3 miles) from work on Friday.

Konbanwa, tomodachi. I know I haven’t posted Monday Snax yet. It’s been a busy day. They will come later in the week, possibly tomorrow. We had a beautiful weekend here and a rather uneventful Halloween. On Halloween afternoon, we went hiking back up to Carter’s Mountain (this time down the right trail) with two married couples and a Brit and his gorgeously behaved Whippet, Cooper. It was a lovely day and we were thoroughly tired when we got back. Ready for another week!

Mike, Windy, and Granddad are coming to visit this weekend and we are THRILLED that we get to spend a few days with them.

Monday Snax

From our recent hike to Crabtree Falls

Autumn is still dragging its heels in coming to Charlottesville, but the mornings and early afternoons have been quite pleasant. That feeling you get when you’re sitting in direct sun, but it’s just warm, instead of sticky and oppressive? I’ve missed that. It’s coming back. Slowly. We had a nice weekend adventuring with friends–taking a hike to Crabtree Falls (photo from the summit)–and just lazing around the house together, which was really great. I’ve missed doing that. Last night, we watched “A Very Long Engagement” for the second time, and I was reminded again how much I love Jeunet’s method of storytelling in film. He’s writing a novel with moving pictures! I love it.

This week’s Monday Snax are sponsored by Reuben, who is, as of this morning, still alive and pretty! Now, commence time wasting!

In Character, Starring… This is one of my favorite features from Vanity Fair: collecting actors and asking them for a face or depiction of a certain elaborate scene. Jeff Daniels’ take on this is really the best. I’m so impressed. So entertaining and funny. (Vanity Fair)

Stupidity and Politicians. A quotation from Bertrand Russell that I find to be regrettably relevant to the current political atmosphere. (1,001 Rules for My Unborn Son)

Renovating a French Farmhouse. Um, I can has?? (New York Times)

President Obama Holds Lemonade Summit in Virginia Backyard. Haha. (Daily Intel)

Oh, What An Angry Person You Are! Young actress Tatum O’Neal’s cheeky response to a fan letter from 1982. I’ve never seen her in anything, but I want to after reading this letter. (Letters of Note)

The Colors for the 2011 Spring Season. I’ve never understood this. What group of powerful designers gets together and decides, unilaterally, what the colors for the season will be? Is there a G8 summit of fashionistas? Do they have a Style UN? (Delphine Ephemera)

Luca Luca Spring 2011. I don’t normally find much interesting about fashion blogs, but I was really struck by this collection from Luca Luca. I want to wear all of those clothes all day. (Love Made Visible)

Baby massage. Joanna Goddard, of A Cup of Jo, and her baby, Toby, show how a baby massage is done. It’s so adorable, and I’m not even in to babies right now!

Law Schools Now Require Applicants to Honestly State Whether They Want to go to Law School. (The Onion)

Margot Was Already the World’s Worst Roommate. Hipster pug! For whatever reason, no other breed looks more disdainful or ridiculous in clothing. (Hipster Puppies)

Dancing With the Stairs. I had to cover my mouth when I saw this one, to prevent myself from a tiny laughter explosion. (Regretsy)

Gossip Girl Recap: We Make Our Own Fairy Tales. Important Disclaimer: I don’t even watch this show. I really don’t. We don’t have cable. But I love reading NY Mag’s recaps of every episode, because they are so hilarious and highlight the extreme absurdity of this show. Even if you don’t watch it, you will think this is funny. (CoCo, I’m sorry. I know you think of Serena and Chuck and Blair and Nate like your own family.) (NY Magazine)

Nancy Drew. Retelling those cheesy–and often very weird–Nancy Drew covers. (Hark, A Vagrant!)