Bowlful of Crickets

See a movie a week, once a month in a theatre.
Submitted by Mikey, along with several others I considered only briefly (I liked the idea of a new Cub Scout/Boy Scot badge a week, but that would become a full-time job.) I like the thought of it, but devoting 2 hours a week to an additional project is just too much time to offer. And once a month in the theatre? With 2 kids under 2, it’s a nice thought, but it would be pretty hard to execute.

Eat a new food.
Submitted by Jenny. I actually considered this one, too. I like food, and I like trying new things. Jenny also suggested that it could be a new product or an exotic food- and I appreciate the leeway I was given in this suggestion.

Learn a new word.
Submitted by Anonymous. Thanks for the suggestion, citizen. Perhaps someday I will do a blog posting on not using 75 cent words when a 5 cent one will do. So with this philosophy, enriching my vocabulary isn’t near the top of my list. I considered it in the guise of "I used a new word in my blog this week- guess which one it is!", but realized that I doubt I could interest my readers in such an exercise without offering cash and prizes. I do not have cash and prizes to offer.

So, my new feature, 52 Foods, will begin today, with the food I enjoyed for the first time last week. I enjoyed food #2 yesterday, and I have foods 3 and 4 in the house, waiting to be sampled. I also saw that the new Chinese restaurant that the family and I visited yesterday has a cold jellyfish appetizer, another potential entry for this resolution. I didn’t try it- yet. I did take away the knowledge that jellyfish, like revenge, is a dish best served cold.

I do also take issue with Metra for asking us to resolve this but not giving us the materials to teach our children properly. Shouldn’t they provide us with pamphlets like "The Little Engine That Could (Tear You in Half If You Got In It’s Path)" or "Freight Trains: Not Anywhere Close To Silent But Nevertheless Deadly"?
Resolution: Declined. Check back in a few years.

I will stand behind yellow line on platform.
Um, duh. Consider it done.
Resolution: Accepted grudgingly. Am I also to resolve not to take a nap on the tracks?

I will talk softly when on my cell phone.
Now we’re talking. I wish they would have said "I will only use my cell phone for short, quick conversations, all relating only to the time I will arrive at my destination." I am still petitioning for a no cell phone car- hopefully, they’ll still let me crank my iPod in there…
Resolution: ACCEPTED! (oh, should I have done that softly?)

I will obey all railroad signals.
Um, no. There is a gate near where I take my train that stays in the down position for about 5 minutes every morning when no trains pass by. Do I wait for it to go up? No. Does anyone else? No. Should we? No. Boo, I say to you, dear Metra! Boo!
Resolution: If you fix your signals, accepted. As it stands: Not a chance.

I will allow myself enough time to catch the train.
Well, yeah. I will also not be late for anything, always floss my teeth, never forget anyone’s birthday and generally do everything exactly the way I’m supposed to. As a matter of fact, Metra, I see your point here, and I’m going to change this resolution to "I will always do everything exactly right." Just as you, sweet Metra, will always be on time.
Resolution: I’m just about always on time, but if I’m not, I’m not dumb enough to risk bodily injury to catch my train. Metra thinks I am that dumb. Therefore, I decline to play along. Resolution declined.

So, ultimately, I have resolved to talk softly on my cell phone and stay behind the yellow line. I will also resolve to always wear pants while on the train, something else I already do without Metra telling me to on their train pass. Wait, maybe I should stop doing that so they have something to put on the February pass…

2) Read 50 books this year. I take a train for about 25 minutes twice each day, so I should be able to get some reading in. I got this idea from Largehearted Boy, who resolved in 2005 to read 52 books in 52 weeks. I like reading, and once I get on a roll, a book a week is do-able. I’m trying for 50 instead of 52 because a) I don’t want to be a total copycat, and b) somehow, I think having two fewer books than weeks I will have a better chance of accomplishing this. Suggestions for books, and actual copies of books are more than welcome.

3) Largehearted Boy read 52 books in 2005, while other bloggers read a new magazine each week and listened to a new album each week. I’m looking for something else to do once a week. And I’m looking for suggestions. It shouldn’t take up too much time, as I will be busy blogging, reading and living my life. Whatever it is, I’d like to get the first one under my belt this week. Please leave suggestions in the comments or e-mail me directly. Time’s a wastin’.