New Year's 2008 resolutions.....

Every year I have made a New Year's resolution to do either one thing or another. Only thing is, before I know it, I've forgotten what the hell it was that I set out to change. Well here goes the laundry list that I've been compiling in my head. Let's see if I will be able to succeed in 08'.

"Hell, I know I can do that" my resolutions for 2008.

I hereby resolve to be a better son, drink just enough beer, and get back to working out!

1.) Go see that musician that I been saying I always wanted to see (Tony Bennett)

2.) Going hands-free while driving (now that the law states I have to)

3.) Every great thing has its Golden Age. Well, for me that is right now. So I am going to try to live there, not in my glorious past that I misremember. =)

4.) Act like an adult when blogging or writing an email. No more emoticons =( see #3, LOL!

5.) Mr. Beer and I have been broke up for about 2 months now but I know we'll get back together soon enough. So I will make a promise to cut down by one beer per each session. I've thought about it, I'll save 150 calories and up to $5 a pop. 10 few beers a month means a yearly 5 pounds off my gut and $600 in my wallet.

6.) Root out resentment. Rather than play trail court with people, just say, "You're right. I screwed up. I am sorry." There is plenty of blame to go around; accept my share and move on.

7.) Streamline my space. A box of Hefty bags goes for about $15, a shredder $50, and each year has 52 Saturdays, so on 12 of them, excise the unproductive memories, dated manuals, and worn-out clothes.

8.) Drop three compliments a day. Especially to the ladies ;-)

9.) Ask my mom and dad questions they haven't heard in awhile.

10.) There's nothing that happens after 11:30 p.m. that can't be replied to or Tivo'd the next day. Hit the pillow for some restorative sleep, then hit the ground running tomorrow, while others are still trying to find their legs.

Buone Feste a tutti

Heres wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas filled with peace and prosperity.

Fish for Christmas....The idea of trying the traditional 7 fishes meal is looming large inside my head. Maybe a Zuppa di pesce della Vigilia from Petruccio’s Italian Christmas Eve Menu would do the trick.

I should just go to Italy and eat at the source, but who has the money now that the oil is about finished and plane fares are rising? Besides, I’m looking for a touchstone to the place I really want to inhabit. Fish on Christmas Eve might (partially) fill the bill.

From my family and myself again, we wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Feliz Navidad y Feliz Anno, Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo

Tony

An Italian Carol - Un Canto di Natale
‘Astro del Ciel’ - 'Star of the Sky' (same tune as 'Silent Night')

Astro del ciel, Pargol divin, mite Agnello Redentor!
Tu che i Vati da lungi sognar, tu che angeliche voci nunziar,
luce dona alle genti, pace infondi nei cuor!
luce dona alle genti, pace infondi nei cuor!
Astro del ciel, Pargol divin, mite Agnello Redentor!
Tu di stirpe regale decor, Tu virgineo, mistico fior,
luce dona alle genti, pace infondi nei cuor!
Luce dona alle genti, pace infondi nei cuor!
Astro del ciel, Pargol divin, mite Agnello Redentor!
Tu disceso a scontare l'error, Tu sol nato a parlare d'amor,
luce dona alle genti, pace infondi nei cuor!
Luce dona alle genti, pace infondi nei cuor!

End of the school year is fast approaching!

Lately, I have had a difficult time trying to update my blog. Preparing for final group projects at school along with preparing for finals I haven't even had a chance to reply to many of my emails. It dawned on me tonight just how hectic this term has been and will continue to be until next Thursday:

preparing for 3 group projects; as of today all are complete
preparing for 4 finals next week
having practice for Gorillas
wild fires that almost caused us to evacuate
work on a number of papers and excel sheets
Thanksgiving (frying everything up in sight)
preparing for intersession courses
preparing for my insane class schedule in the spring (I'm taking 21units)
Believe it or not, I'm actually leaving off some stressful things (can't reveal everything on a blog...). On a more positive note, here are some things that I'm looking forward to:

the end of the semester
the arrival of Christmas
reading for pleasure during my break
going to the hooka bar regularly during the break
Christmas parties
Christmas food
seeing family and some old friends later this month
having a drink, now that it has officially been 1 month since I last had one
Off to bed for the night.