Before a Resolution

Back when chain letters were all the rage, I remember one that went around that asked a bunch of questions and you had to answer each one then pass it on or you'd get 10 years of bad luck. I thought it would be fun to re-live that a bit, but remove the bad luck and keep the fun.

So as we think about New Year's Resolutions, maybe we should think about who we really are, or things that brought us joy and try to use those to commit to adding something in our lives in 2015 that builds on that. So in honor of this idea, I'm sharing 10 things about myself that have brought me joy over the years - from childhood to the present, but in no specific order. Maybe it'll help me decide on a resolution for 2015.

1. When I was in college I was a fine arts minor and I sketched a lot of my friend's tattoos. It was cool to see my art on someone's body. Now that I have ink of my own, I hope they still love theirs.
2. Ever since I was little, one of my favorite foods has been egg rolls. Perhaps I should learn to make them. But that would mean I'd have to get over my fear of deep frying.
3. Speaking of fears. I have an irrational fear of birds that are bigger than pigeons. I have never visited an aviary but would consider it if it were in Costa Rica...GOD I MISS EXPLORING NEW INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS!
4. I love roller coasters and only went to one amusement park in 2014. I need more roller coaster thrills in my life - of the kind I can get on and off.
5. I am like the Princess and the Pea when it comes to socks. I can feel even the tiniest of seams. I still have a pair of socks I got in 3rd grade because they have zero seams and still fit. I also have some socks labeled "World's Softest Socks" that used to belong to Warren. I should wear them more often. He had good taste in socks.
6. I drive a manual car that I love. It's a Honda Element and it's almost 12 years old. I'm starting to fear that it won't last much longer and I want another Element but they stopped making them in 2011. That makes me sad.
7. I don't drink much pop (soda to those who reside outside the Midwest), but when I do, I prefer Pepsi products. I know it's not the healthiest choice, but life is short, I'm going to drink Pepsi when I crave one. It doesn't have to be a Big Gulp, just enough to taste some carbonated sweetness.
8. Monthly massages should be mandatory for all writers. I need to find a way to budget for this.
9. Movie musicals drive me nuts. I have yet to find one that doesn't make me want to scream. Musicals are best left to the stage, that's where I like them and wouldn't mind seeing more.
10. Tea and coffee are equally valuable in my world, just depends on my mood. I look forward to exploring more varieties of each.