...so using that logic, someone who's cynical of being cynical is actually quite hopeful.
[Aside: OK, applying that non-logic isn't the point of the story, I just really wanted to use that line as my opener because I've been playing Modern Warfare 2 and it's one of the last lines in the game (I know, I know, I'm so two-thousand-and-late).]
But, 2011 is the year for hopeful; not for the naive, not for the doe-eyed, but for the one who believes that this year will be good, and make good on that belief. (Yes, circuitous writing is all the rage in this house). It's only been a week since I kicked off 2011 in the company of my cousin, my cousin-in-law, my young aunt and her guy, and dozens of the hippest South Asians in San Jose. So now, in a fashionably late...um....fashion, I present a snippet of my 2011 Goals & Objectives:
1) Use my dictionary/thesaurus widget less: I have found myself easily reliant on this amazing, stupendous, breathtaking, sensational tool when I'm chatting with people online, writing blogs, Yelping! or trying to sound like a pretentious snob. I should bust out and memorize the huge list of "Oxford words" that my AP US Government teacher handed out which, to this day, I still possess.
2) Get physically fit by eating right and exercising more: Yes, undoubtedly the top resolution that gets broken the most . But I think if I put realistic success measures (so, no need to look like Jillian what's-her-face), and definable action steps, then it will actually happen. I think this is starting to sound like a 1:30 PM work meeting, eh? In all honesty though, I'm starting off with a pretty good support group, so I feel great about this; it's all about losing the first 5%, then 10% of your weight, then slowly and steadily reach my goal weight through a steady regimen of (mostly cardio for now, but building in strength) exercise and conscious (but enjoyable) eating.
3) Travel: This is what I work for right now (this, and student loan payments apparently). I think I'll be concentrating on the Stateside first, but hell if I find a deal good enough on Travelzoo, I just might snatch it like the 'carpe dieming' travel bug that I'm turning into. I will always be restless to see the world, and having the capacity to do so literally is so invigorating and gratifying. Realistic destinations this year: D.C., Seattle, Chicago (again), Montreal, Boston, Mexico, Florida, Hawai'i, and Italy (here's hoping).
4) Die less in FPS games: There is virtue in playing video games! My life long dream of acquiring an Xbox 360 S last year will make this goal easier to achieve. That, and the fact that my brother lent me his awesome collection of games that will probably take me 3-6 months to get through (now that's naivete).
I've got a couple more resolutions, but the overarching goal is holistic health and genuine happiness, done in the most (in my true style) practical way. I pride myself for being the person people can rely on. But sometimes I'm the least accountable person to myself. I mean, it's common to buy myself trips, clothes, and other stuff. But, sometimes I've evaded 'long-term projects' that will contribute to my well-being (eating healthier, exercising more, etc.) because the results directly impact me, and that gives me trepidation when one of the possible results is failure.
All that said, I realize more and more everyday that I deserve to take on these personal challenges, even when I fail, because living is both the journey and the destination. Or to put it in less "that's deep, maaaaan" terms, life is like a game of Modern Warfare 2: you are enthralled being in the story, admiring the epic graphics and score of the game. You are "Soap" MacTavish, bad-ass Scottish member of Task Force 141...and then you get shot at one (or ten) too many times or get mauled by a Russian Doberman and die. Do you give up? No, you read a quick quote about war or patriotism from Dick Cheney or Zora Neale Hurston, then you're back in the game and you continue to kick ass. And when you succeed and reach the end of the stage, you're rewarded with an elating sense of gratification and a few Xbox Gold points for an epic trick you did. And then you go on to the next stage.
Yes, I just compared my life resolutions to an outdated first-person shooter game. Resolution #5: make more eloquent analogies when writing.
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