Monday, January 05, 2009

Short List of Long Resolutions for '09

If you're a normal human being, you get gut feelings all the time.

Some you choose to listen to and most you choose to ignore, because gut feelings usually oppose decisions you want to make at the moment.

For me, I've had a particular gut feeling since mid-December: I think 2009 is going to be a great year. A really, really great year.

I'm in the midst of being a complete cliche by writing down a list of resolutions for the new year, a list that I'm determined to follow and determined to make good on.

I won't inundate you with too many -- some are personal, of course, and blogging is tres public -- but here's a short list of my long resolutions for 2009:


Take in more shows. This is not only to see more amazing bands and artists, but also to cut down on spending empty money on, um, beverages at the bar. But I'm still allowing myself two or three at shows, as long as there's a bout of beverage consumption pre-event. On my list of upcoming musicians coming into town to see: Beach House at the end of this month, Broken Social Scene/Teagan & Sara and Lykke Li at the beginning of February, Fujiya & Miyagi at the start of March, Simian Mobile Disco mid-March (saw them once before, they pretty much brought down the house) and the Presets in April. Simian and the Presets are locked down already, woot woot. On the maybe list: Matt & Kim and The Mae Shi at month's end and Antony and the Johnsons at the end of February.




Travel more. International or domestic, it doesn't matter. My best guy friend is tired of me bailing out on Europe due to work and has taken it upon himself to plan me a Europe trip -- I just need to buy the ticket. Zurich, Switzerland (where he's currently residing for work) in the summer sounds awful nice. That way I can also make pit stops to see his sis Nadine in the Netherlands and Aggs in Berlin, too. Time to brush up on some languages. Pronto. Also on my travel list, which are wedding-related and therefore mandatory: Hawaii in May and Miami in November. This resolution will bring a whole new meaning to leavin' on a jet plane -- though with more Mos Def steez than Karen Carpenter steez.




Do what I say and say what I mean. Not that I'm particularly bad at this, but there's always room for improvement. This includes not saying "yes" when I really want to say "no".

Spruce up my time management and prioritize, prioritize, prioritize. Taking on more work means allocating the proper amount of time daily to each. I can't afford any dilly-dallying, especially now that I've officially joined as an editor with the other city editors at the Sweetspot!

Read the rest of "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand. Yes, it's over 1,000 pages but I've been at it for the past year and a half. Did I mention my major was in English Lit? Terrible, terrible showing on my part.




Get me a pair of Frye boots. Not exactly an in-depth resolution, but figured I needed a shoe treat for thinking so long and hard about the year ahead. Plus all the not-as-sturdy boots in my closet were annihilated by the snow and salt this winter. Damn snow.




Ski more in the winter season. I've done two days since the season opened, and let me tell you, nothing felt more fantastic than getting back on the slopes after so long. Crisp mountain air, dry powder, aching hamstrings and calves, cold fingers, tight boots, one crooked pole, potential goggle tan, racing heart, only two minor falls (damn pow!), warm Burton gear and spicy Caesars and burgers at lunchtime. Yeeeees. (That's me and my best guy friend below. Top of the world of the world, kids, top of the world.)




Get me some DJ lessons. This chick DJ -- who reminded me so much of Sam Ronson, she was super androgynous -- was playing the most wicked electronica/party music on Saturday night at one of our usual local wateringholes. I've been seeing a lot of girls DJing in the city, and I'm not gonna lie, if I could make some money doing that on the side, I'd really, really, really love it. My girl Phyllis is taking lessons right now and said she'd teach me afterwards, so here's to adding that to my schedule, too.




Buy a camera. Any camera. I've been obsessed with photography forever, so I think it's time to take it up. Preferably would like an SLR -- like my buddy Luker's -- so I can feel like Mario Testino or Mert and Marcus or Guy Bourdin, but an old school polaroid would be cool. Urban Outfitters has dope Lomography ones that won't break my bank, too.






I'm Lovin' it: Yours truly has a byline in an honest-to-goodness, gorgeous hardcover book!! Got my copy of this year's Sports Bible in the mail from my Sportswear International editor in NY, which happens to contain an interview I did with the head product designer of Arc'Teryx. It might have brought a little tear to my eye.


I'm Over it: Snow, go away. Had to park at the top of a hill from my girl Ovitch's place because the parking spots on her street were filled with snow still. Oh, and still no phone action.


Track of the Day: Here's an oldie, but a goodie. Like as in Hall & Oates. Sara Smile. Go Motown, go.






* Photos property of Mikey Farrell, Google Images and are used solely for commentary purposes

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