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I don’t normally make New Year’s resolutions.  Probably because I’m a professional procrastinator (that’s right, I recently dropped my amateur status since they refuse to include procrastinating in the Olympics) and I would only be setting myself up for failure.  This year however, I am “setting the deck” for myself in an attempt to ensure that I will follow through with a goal.  So my New Year’s resolution for 2011 is to complete my 30 Before 30!

I know, I know, it’s kind of like cheating.  The truth is, the New Year’s resolution (NYR) is like a checks and balances system for my list.  The list serves as a way for me to follow through on a NYR while the NYR is playing the role of big brother, making sure the list is completed.  I know, I’m a mad scientist over here so try to keep up with my logic.

So the Christmas holiday provided me with lots of goodies to help with the list.  If you’ve checked it out recently, (and I’m sure you have, right?) you’ve noticed two things.  First, I have not crossed anything new off the list.  I tried to warn you before the holiday hoopla began that I would probably stay dormant this past month.  If you expected otherwise, well, that will teach you to give me more credit than I deserve.  The other thing you probably noticed is that there are still two items missing from the list of 30.  Well, I am officially adding number 29 today.

Warning: For those who get a little queasy from mushy, sentimental stuff, you may want to skip the next paragraph ’cause it’s about to get ugly.

A reader and fellow blogger, Emily Wilson, recently commented on one of my posts with an idea for my list.  She suggested writing a letter or taking some items that best describe me and this point in my life and putting them in a time capsule of sorts to be opened 10 years from now.  While I don’t think I’m going to do the time capsule part, I am going to use part of her suggestion to make up #29 on my list.  I am going to write a letter to my two children before my 30th birthday to tell them how much they mean to me and how I hope to do right by them (in other words, not screw them up so bad they spend their formative years on their psychiatrist’s couch) as they grow up.  One day, maybe when they enter high school or graduate, I’ll give them these letters and we’ll see how well I did, in their eyes.  And to any future child of mine, don’t worry, I’ll put together a little note to you as well.  Don’t want to give you a “forgotten child” complex or anything.

For those who skipped the above paragraph, you are now free to move about the blog, safe from mushy stuff (you soulless robot!)

So now I am down to just one missing item on my list.  Still taking suggestions for that last one (and some backup options since I may be removing an item or two based on reasons discussed in my entry entitled Backpedaling).  I am going to be making some progress very soon however on several other items on the list including the much-anticipated Duke/Maryland basketball game this Sunday night.

The game ticket is locked in a briefcase that has been handcuffed to my wrist since Christmas in order to avoid the possibility of loss or theft during these two weeks leading up to the game.  Ok, that’s not exactly true, but it is safe and secure and ready for use.  The only question left unanswered is which Terps related apparel I will be proudly displaying at Cameron.  I’m leaning towards all of it but that may be a game-time-decision.  Can’t begin to tell you how pumped I am for this experience.  As a bonus, I get to stop in and see my sister in Raleigh for a few hours prior to game time.  I feel bad though because my attention will likely be on game planning for the Blue Devils rather than a family visit.  Stacey, if you’re reading this, I’ll try to be engaged in our visit but bear with me.

As far as some other items on the list go, here are some more updates.  I recently cracked open Anna Karenina, read the introduction (which doesn’t count in the page total of 817 by the way), felt my eyes start to cross, and promptly closed the book.  I am told this is the definitive translation of the book.  The problem is that it is a translation, which means it was originally written in another language (Russian), and therefore is not exactly what you would consider an easy read.  Let’s just say it’s not beach reading material.  Anyway, I intend to re-open the book tonight and possibly read page 1.

The treadmill we received from my parents for Christmas remains in the box.  No surprise there as my procrastinating skills shine brighter than my desire to get back into marathon shape.  Of course the basement, the final destination for the treadmill, is currently occupied by boxes of Christmas decorations and all the other presents the kids received this year.  Once we can make heads or tails of the clutter, the treadmill will be set up and ready to be used to hang laundry on…and maybe even running!  I also received all the movies on my top 10 list and am looking forward to seeing many of these “classics”.  I have a feeling there will be at least one that will make me say, “How in the world is this movie considered top 10 of all time?  Is it just me, or does this flick suck?!”  Then I will be bombarded with hate mail and people saying, “It’s blasphemy to say this movie sucks!” and “I have no concept of what a classic movie is.”  I can’t wait to have these debates with you, my loyal readers.  Just know that I have total control over the comments that are posted on this blog so good luck trying to get your insults posted! (He says, laughing maniacally.)

I can’t possibly end this posting without once again mentioning my polar bear plunge team and guilting you into dropping a few pennies in the bucket for a good cause.  Check out this link to my team and feel free to join us!  You’ll be cold, wet, and half-naked.  For many of you, this may be a normal Saturday night so you should be used to it.

There will be many more updates to come as we dive head-first into 2011.  I’ll be sure to get some pics of Cameron Indoor Stadium and me and my Dad fearing for our lives, surrounded by thousands of Dukies on Sunday.  I’m sure you will be looking forward to those.  See you all soon!

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