New Year's Resolutions

What changes will you make for 1999?

2. bubbaette - Dec. 27, 1998 - 11:30 AM PT
No more stinkin resolutions.

3. jordanvb1224 - Dec. 27, 1998 - 12:05 PM PT
1) I will dye my hair black, get violet-colored contact lenses, something with a little more oomph than a Wonder Bra, and look like Elizabeth Taylor in Father of the Bride. Then I'll marry a multi-millionaire and sign a pre-nup that benefits only me.

2) I will never again volunteer to host another New Year's Eve party in my apartment.

4. FreeToChoose - Dec. 27, 1998 - 12:08 PM PT
jordanvb1224

Uh, I misplaced my directions to the party. Can you post them again?

5. jordanvb1224 - Dec. 27, 1998 - 12:28 PM PT
FreeToChoose

If only more guests had the good manners to lose the directions! I think I will visit as many of them as I can and abscond with the invitations.

6. cllrdr - Dec. 27, 1998 - 12:53 PM PT
I will be nicer to Bobo.






Sort of

7. Fraaank9 - Dec. 27, 1998 - 1:17 PM PT
Hmmmm.

To continue my lifelong journey to be a "better" person. On a physical,mental and conscientious level (Boy,am I asking for too much).

Jordan,

Here's a tip: Next time you send out invitations to couples for a party, make sure that you address the invite to the women, but later send the instructions on how to get there to the men...they'll never arrive.

8. jordanvb1224 - Dec. 27, 1998 - 1:26 PM PT
Fraaank!

It's all those women, most of whom don't need a jazzed up Wonder Bra, that are superfluous.

I know what to do. I'll send minders after the men and give the women the wrong directions.

9. Judithathome - Dec. 27, 1998 - 1:36 PM PT

1) Now that I've read the first 35 pages of Tom Wolfes latest, I will finish it.

2) Being so close to the end of Open Secret, I will finish it.

3) Having purchased Underworld, I will start it.

4) Having purchased Soul Of Sex, Under The Tuscan Sun, Palimpsest, The Demon Haunted World, Forbidden Knowledge, Consilience, and Why People Believe Weird Things....I will read them.

5) I will not buy more books until I've read at least half the stack of those I bought after reading: a) a great review b) a quirky review or c) heard the author reviewed on a good day by a terrific interviewer.

6) I will search out books written by terrific interviewers.

10. jordanvb1224 - Dec. 27, 1998 - 1:44 PM PT
Judith

Add Ithaka, by Sarah Saffian, to your list. The Times' reviewer is jealous.

11. jordanvb1224 - Dec. 27, 1998 - 1:53 PM PT
3) I will turn 24 every year hereafter.

12. Judithathome - Dec. 27, 1998 - 1:57 PM PT
jordan: Wouldn't that age you rather quickly? (g)

13. jordanvb1224 - Dec. 27, 1998 - 2:02 PM PT
Judith

Maybe, if I didn't consult with you first!

14. Judithathome - Dec. 27, 1998 - 2:17 PM PT
jordan:

No need, if you are Ithaka bound....

15. jkuzmak - Dec. 27, 1998 - 2:48 PM PT
Judith:

Have been wanting to read Underworld for about a year. I will purchase it and toddle my way through it for the year. Perhaps I can encourage you to do the same. I am not willing to attack the thing with all the other big fat books I am reading. One of them recommended independently by two Fraysters.

16. arkymalarky - Dec. 27, 1998 - 3:51 PM PT
The Fray will lengthen one's reading list considerably.

My resolution is to get a millennial...but somehow I doubt it will be in this thread.

My other resolution is to achieve complete perfection by 2000.

17. Fraaank9 - Dec. 27, 1998 - 4:40 PM PT
Jordan,

Thank you (#8).I'd like to think so also.

Hmmmm.

Um,Jordan...

...You wouldn't by chance be unattached ?

...You know singlesville ?










...When is your next party,and is it anywhere in or near southern California ?

( Should "southern" be capitalized in this case ? )

18. cllrdr - Dec. 27, 1998 - 5:44 PM PT
Fraaank has clearly resolved to start dating more.

19. lemwalker - Dec. 27, 1998 - 5:51 PM PT
Resolutions... why bother.

20. Judithathome - Dec. 27, 1998 - 7:13 PM PT
re: 19......why post?

21. lillie - Dec. 28, 1998 - 5:09 AM PT
I resolve to be more active on the Fray , even if some of our more critical bretheren pick on me too!
I resolve to be less surly with my surlier patients on Sat. night in the ER..
I resolve to be gentler with my 92 year old mother-in-law ( who lives with us) and be more enthusiastic about her need for prunejuice with"the pulp".
I resolve to be kinder to everyone I come in contact with!
I resolve to read more than a book a month (including cllrdr's epistle)
Lastly, I resolve love my family as much as I can, because life is short and there are no second chanches.
Happy New Year my new friends....: ) lillie

22. mariagleason - Dec. 28, 1998 - 6:21 AM PT
Fraaank,

I'm as single as single can be, even suffering through the indignity of having an ex-boyfriend as a date at my party, Gadzooks.

I live in the Northeast, but have a fair number of friends in SoCal, so it would be their parties I'd go to while there, thank the Gods.

23. mariagleason - Dec. 28, 1998 - 6:22 AM PT
I thought I'd be jordanvb for a while, it feels good.

24. mariagleason - Dec. 28, 1998 - 6:25 AM PT
Don't worry, Fraank. Jordan is my niece; I'm staying with her for a bit, and she couldn't resist my pc.

25. CalGal - Dec. 28, 1998 - 6:32 AM PT
I linked this Dave Barry column in last year, but the sentiment bears repeating:

"Why make resolutions? Because you CAN be a better person. I bet you know somebody who seems to be perfect - somebody who always looks terrific; somebody who manages to devote plenty of time to both family and career; somebody whose house is spotless, whose children are well-behaved and whose dog does not smell as if it sleeps on a bed of decomposing raccoons.

You wonder how that person 'does it all,' don't you? Well, stop wondering and do something! Start right now! Get up off the sofa, put on some active sportswear, and kill that person with a crowbar!"

26. phillipdavid - Dec. 28, 1998 - 7:12 AM PT
So that explains the load of books jordanvb got as presents, mariagleason.

27. mariagleason - Dec. 28, 1998 - 7:14 AM PT
She got *tons* of books from me, PD. And I'm one of the few that gives her birthday *and* Christmas presents.

28. Ronski - Dec. 28, 1998 - 7:16 AM PT

I resolve to lose the weight I put on after an operation on my foot, become a better bump skier, keep my personal areas around the house neater so as not to irritate the boyfriend, and not backtrack on succesfully completed resolutions of years past.

29. mariagleason - Dec. 28, 1998 - 7:25 AM PT
My resolutions include buying less books, one I'm sure to break immediately, but perhaps that'll be the exception that proves the rule.

30. Philistine - Dec. 28, 1998 - 8:16 AM PT
Well, lets see. I'm returning back to school after a five year abscence brought on by a failure to academically excel. What do you suppose my New Year's Resolution is?

Plus, I am going to finish this Classics Plagiarized thing, and do it right. And you are all gitting a copy, too! Hell, now that I know he likes Tintin and Asterisk, I might even have one sent to the dreaded Pseuder.

(side note; Didja hear the one about the Aggie cartoonist? He was in it for the money!)

31. ChristiPeters - Dec. 28, 1998 - 8:53 AM PT
I resolve to unpack ALL of my boxes by Dec. 31, 1999.

32. msgreer - Dec. 28, 1998 - 9:49 AM PT
I resolve to make the true effort to lose the weight my accident help me put on.. 4 months in bed after the accident sure didn't help.
I would love to clean out my storage and unclutter my home. I agree with Christi, I'll see how I am doing December 31, 1999.

33. Fraaank9 - Dec. 28, 1998 - 1:03 PM PT

LOL @ Calgal's post !

Maria,

I'm flattered,but I have this thing about long distance liaisons,and we couldn't be any farther from one another ;-)
I've suffered some indignities myself when it comes to the experience that you mentioned in #22.Oh the pain,the pain...(g)

(By the way,I hope you did decide to stay)

34. ChristinO - Dec. 28, 1998 - 1:19 PM PT
Resolved: To be more selfish

35. Judithathome - Dec. 28, 1998 - 1:31 PM PT
re 34...my kinda people!

36. toonces - Dec. 28, 1998 - 6:40 PM PT

Resolved: To lose my self-importance.

37. RyckNelson - Dec. 28, 1998 - 6:53 PM PT
"We must be the change we wish to see in the world." -- Ghandi

I resolve to support this quote with my actions and words.

I resolve that we must have a vote that this is the quote of the milenium.

38. RyckNelson - Dec. 28, 1998 - 6:55 PM PT
I must say, it's cool to have a post I like fall on the number which matches my age.

39. cllrdr - Dec. 28, 1998 - 7:56 PM PT
I RESOLVE TO MARRY MICHAEL HUFFINGTON!

40. RyckNelson - Dec. 29, 1998 - 5:44 AM PT
oops, err. millenium.

41. RyckNelson - Dec. 29, 1998 - 5:46 AM PT
cllrdr, if so, you must fly in all of the Fraysters who would love to be there. Can we stay at the Hilton? Just kidding, the Raddison will do.

42. Judithathome - Dec. 29, 1998 - 6:14 AM PT
cllrdr...

Well, after the honeymoon, share all the dish on Arianna!

43. RyckNelson - Dec. 29, 1998 - 6:33 PM PT
um, er, well, err. correction should have been, Gandhi and millennium.

Per CharlieL in suggestions.

44. Jonesatlaw - Dec. 29, 1998 - 11:00 PM PT
I resolve to merit a Fraygrant entry in Frayerphrenalia this year. Or demerit one.

45. Jonesatlaw - Dec. 29, 1998 - 11:02 PM PT
Toonces- Hey, I found your self importance, it was in the corner to the left of mine.

46. CalGal - Dec. 29, 1998 - 11:16 PM PT
Jones,

The guilt. Like LadyC's post wasn't enough? And KateWrath's of a couple months ago--I'm still bleeding from the force of her pain.

47. arkymalarky - Dec. 30, 1998 - 12:03 PM PT
I resolve to learn a lot more about computers and the internet, especially making a website. I resolve to do this without pulling out all my hair and/or requiring confinement in a rubber room.

48. ChristiPeters - Dec. 30, 1998 - 12:06 PM PT
I resolve to get internet access at home.

49. ScotusAntonovich - Dec. 30, 1998 - 12:12 PM PT
Re: Message #44, Jonesatlaw.

"I resolve to merit a Fraygrant entry in Frayerphrenalia this year. Or demerit one."

Good luck, buddy. I've been fraying before her and I still have yet to gain an entry other than a teaser (my moniker) in "Old Guard". If you figure out the formula for getting her to do one, do share with the group.

50. arkymalarky - Dec. 30, 1998 - 12:43 PM PT
Scotus,
You're such a mysterious, complex, and elusive character it's difficult to put your profile in words.

Yeah, that's it.

51. ScotusAntonovich - Dec. 30, 1998 - 12:50 PM PT
Arky:

Believe it or not, I've heard that almost verbatim from CalGal.

52. DanDillon - Dec. 30, 1998 - 12:50 PM PT
Message #17,
"When is your next party, and is it anywhere in or near southern California ? (Should "southern" be capitalized in this case?)"

(No.)

53. arkymalarky - Dec. 30, 1998 - 1:10 PM PT
Message #51
That's scary.;-)

54. CalGal - Dec. 30, 1998 - 1:29 PM PT
Arky,

Even scarier in that it is no lie.

55. 109109 - Dec. 30, 1998 - 1:30 PM PT
When I asked where my profile was, she said she was washing her hair, so quit yer' bitching.

56. CalGal - Dec. 30, 1998 - 1:35 PM PT
No, you idiot. That's what Bubba said when you asked to kiss her.

(early Bette Davis quote, for the neophytes.)

57. ScotusAntonovich - Dec. 30, 1998 - 1:37 PM PT
Well, 109, at least she didn't give you the dead grandmother excuse.

58. CalGal - Dec. 30, 1998 - 1:39 PM PT
Hip. She broke her HIP.

Oh, wait.

That was last year.

This year it was, um.......

59. ChristinO - Dec. 30, 1998 - 1:48 PM PT
PREEN

GLOAT

(snicker)

60. CalGal - Dec. 30, 1998 - 2:01 PM PT
Then there are the ruthless and unrelenting nags....

61. seadate - Dec. 30, 1998 - 9:19 PM PT
I resolve to not watch the NBA playoffs.

62. RyckNelson - Dec. 31, 1998 - 4:16 AM PT
I ask that others write to the editor of the Star Online, Malaysia. Make a comment from your heart concerning autonomous choices and the doling out of justice. The Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Nazri Abdul Aziz is insisting that West Malaysian judges could and should preside over East Malaysian cases. Also that Bahasa Malaysia should be the language in all presidings.

This is a very disrespectful attitude. It is condescending to the over 40% native population and to the entire population a slap in the face that they are incapable of providing judges of caliber.

Because of the unique history of Sarawak, and its contemprary cultures it and its partner Sabah must remain autonomous within Malaysia. That is the only way.

Write to the editors of Star at editor@thestar.com.my

Or, go here and send your comments. Please do so. Anyone can make a difference. They only need try.

Anyone not sure what to write, use my post verbatim, but PLEASE do not quote me as your source. That is a very disrespectful thing to me. It will be hurtful and may even cause permenent damage to my future in Malaysia. I must remain anonymous. Your very kind and considerate cooperation will be vital. Of course leave this part out of your letter.
Thank you.

63. ChristiPeters - Dec. 31, 1998 - 2:11 PM PT
I hereby resolve to

1.Lurk more, say less

2.Avoid "personal anecdotes"

3.Reduce my Fray time

4.Put my "walls" back up

64. seadate - Dec. 31, 1998 - 2:21 PM PT
ChristiP -

Why?

65. ChristiPeters - Dec. 31, 1998 - 2:34 PM PT
I am able to recognise when I am out of my league and hve more to learn than I have to offer.

Therefore, except for Fraygrant's Corner which is just for fun, I will wait until I have something substantive to say before I post.

66. seadate - Dec. 31, 1998 - 3:37 PM PT
Christi,

IMHO - You see no merit in inflicting abuse on those who are not as skillful in debate as you (even those who appear to be plain dense). I hope you appreciate this quality in yourself - I wish a few frayfreaks would resolve to savor this quality in you.

I like reading your posts.

67. toonces - Dec. 31, 1998 - 6:16 PM PT

I resolve to learn to read, write and speak Spanish this year.

Spanish language movies with subtitles seem to make a good kind of warmup language exercise. I bought "Like Water For Chocolate" and "Men With Guns." Both movies are very easy to follow.

68. cllrdr - Dec. 31, 1998 - 6:49 PM PT
toonces -- Try Luis Bunuel movies. Many of his Mexican films are excellent:
"Los Olividados"
"Viridiana"
"The Exterminating Angel"
"Subida al Cielo" (aka. "Mexican Bus Ride")
"The Illusion Travels By Streetcar"
"Gran Casino"
"Simon of the Desert"

and then there's his Spanish film: "Tristana"

69. cartman69 - Dec. 31, 1998 - 10:39 PM PT
Cellar:

How 'bout "Un Chien Andalou"? (kidding, just kidding)

70. troUseRpilOt - Jan. 1, 1999 - 3:10 AM PT






               ooooohhh...




          i am soooo wasTed...

71. OhioSTOPAS - Jan. 1, 1999 - 5:40 AM PT
Happy New Year, everybody!

As I mentioned in "Fraygrant's Corner" a few days ago, my New Year's resolution is to refrain from checking out the Fray on my office computer during working hours. (I am guaranteed to keep this resolution until Monday, January 4, which will be my personal best for New Year's resolution longevity.)

You can all help me keep my resolution by resolving not to post any interesting, informative or funny messages on weekdays between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM, EST. Thank you.

72. 109109 - Jan. 1, 1999 - 11:23 AM PT
I resolve to apologize to Christi Peters, who thought I was talking down to her in the Civil War thread. I was not. I actually was trying to be helpful regarding the posts and the issue in the Civil War.

But it matters not my intention, but rather, the effect.

My sincerest apologies.

73. tenquid - Jan. 3, 1999 - 8:17 AM PT
To sort out and shed my religious baggage. I am an atheist. I have always been an atheist. I have always known I felt this way but have been intimidated and unwilling to refuse to acknowledge it to others. It can be a dangerous world for non-believers. I'm hoping that now that I am 50 years old,I have earned the right to express what I believe. I respect the religious beliefs of others but wish they could do me the same courtesy. The non-establishment clause of the Constitution guarantees me freedom FROM religion as well as freedom OF religion. Sorry for the heavy resolution....I guess I could have vowed to lose weight or stop swearing. I'm sure I'd be supported in those resolutions but this one matters to me even if no one else cares.

74. msgreer - Jan. 3, 1999 - 9:18 AM PT
i know how christi feels... i write what is on my mind and sometimes feel what i say must not have much meaning or written in an *intellectual manner* not up to others *standards*.
i don't mind disagreement, I like the back and forth.. i just feel like christi does and it doesn't feel good..

good for you for apologizing..christi is a great addition to any thread she goes on.

75. phillipdavid - Jan. 3, 1999 - 9:19 PM PT
That is an interesting resolution, tenquid. You said you have always been intimidated -- what is it you fear losing?

It doesn't seem to me to be as onerous as declaring yourself a satanist, or a pedophile, or something else most would consider deplorable or heinous. Living a charade does seem very onerous, however.

76. rondiaherlihy - Jan. 3, 1999 - 10:16 PM PT
Love

I will let bygones be bygones and
forgive the Republican Party!

NOT!!!!!

77. concerned - Jan. 3, 1999 - 11:20 PM PT
My new year's resolution is not to wait for a new year to put future resolutions into effect.

78. concerned - Jan. 4, 1999 - 12:25 AM PT
Re. 73 -

tenquid -

My parents have been atheists ever since I existed, and it never bothered them in the least. I'm an agnostic, myself, but I recognize the purpose that religion serves in society.

OCOTOH, you have the militant atheist cranks or worse who turn atheism into a virtual religion, like Madeline Murray O'Hare. The last anyone heard from her, she absconded for parts or identity unknown with what, somebody else's $600,000?

79. bubbaette - Jan. 4, 1999 - 5:12 AM PT
I resolve not to be a dumping ground for other people's negative feelings and actions.

80. FreeToChoose - Jan. 4, 1999 - 7:24 AM PT
ChristiPeters

     Sorry to hear that. I hope you will take this the right way—I hope you break most of your resolutions this year.
BTW, I enjoyed the anecdote about the birthday. My sons birthday is Dec 30; we also hold a summer party so he doesn't feel cheated.

81. Ronski - Jan. 4, 1999 - 7:26 AM PT

Free,

I hope you take the boy skiing at least. (g)

82. tenquid - Jan. 4, 1999 - 8:47 AM PT
Phillipdavid,

Very interesting question, "what do I fear losing?". I think I'm afraid that people will no longer trust me if I identify myself as an atheist. And I fear that they will prejudge me. To be fair, I have been guilty of prejudging self-proclaimed Christians as well. Why do we have to proclaim our beliefs at all? I think my beliefs are as sacrosanct as my sexual behavior. Why would anyone care about by religion (or lack of it)? How is it their business?

Theist bias is everywhere. It is a bit like racism in that one really notices the bias when one is the object of it.

83. Jenerator - Jan. 4, 1999 - 11:10 AM PT
One of my resolutions is to finish the ten or so books I am reading. You see, I pick up a book, read about fifty pages, put it down, get distracted, pick up a different book, read fifty pages, and so on. Three weeks later, I am a third of the way into ten books, can't keep the content straight, and feel anxious to read them all. Perhaps I should stick to reading one at a time too? Make that *two* New Year's resolutions.;-)

84. ChristiPeters - Jan. 4, 1999 - 2:37 PM PT
FreeToChoose -

Well, I think I broke it already when I got interested in a discussion in Religion today.

Hopefully, I do better at keeping diet and exercise resolutions this year.

&:o)

85. msgreer - Jan. 5, 1999 - 8:18 AM PT
i am so busy with my business.. i am happy it has grown, but i do need to bring in another nurse advocate and learn to delagate
i have nurses that fill in when i am gone but that is not enough and i need to face i can't do everything and others can do very well.

continuing physical therapy, that's what i have to do.

86. trouserpilot - Jan. 5, 1999 - 10:36 AM PT
resolution:
to restrict length of my Fray posts to 50 charac

87. CoralReef - Jan. 5, 1999 - 10:39 AM PT
Hey you used to BE 50 characters in the fray.

88. CalGal - Jan. 5, 1999 - 10:47 AM PT
Coral,

I laughed.

89. Jenerator - Jan. 5, 1999 - 11:06 AM PT
I cried.

90. bubbaette - Jan. 5, 1999 - 11:11 AM PT
I sucked spagetti through my nose.

91. CalGal - Jan. 5, 1999 - 11:27 AM PT
I just spenched my damn diet Coke.

92. ChristinO - Jan. 5, 1999 - 1:32 PM PT
I haven't stopped dancing since!

93. abinitio1 - Jan. 5, 1999 - 3:43 PM PT <<Jenerator - Jan. 4, 1999 - 11:10 AM PT>><BR><BR>Put books at different location as you read parts of it. As an example: One on living room, one on kitchen, one in bedroom.>><BR><BR>any where you maybe around...and if you find time when you are there, you will pick up the book and continue to read it. that is what I do.

94. CalGal - Jan. 5, 1999 - 3:48 PM PT Abinitio, If you are wondering about the BRs, it is because you put a left open angle bracket in before Jenerator. I leave books all around the house, too. Some people have a word for us: slobs. But they're idiots who only read one book at a time. 95. ChristinO - Jan. 5, 1999 - 3:49 PM PT LOL! CG, Can you give me a reasonable excuse for why I leave clothing out all over the place? 96. CalGal - Jan. 5, 1999 - 3:52 PM PT Christin, Well, I've always used my placement on the MB Orientation spectrum as justification--I am just way the fuck out there P. Alas, I fear that it is an unconscious manifestation of my inner chaos. 97. CalGal - Jan. 5, 1999 - 3:53 PM PT There is, also, that word again to explain it. The one that idiots who only read one book at a time use. But the only people who use it are usually leaning towards (or well over) the "J" side of that damn spectrum. 98. ChristinO - Jan. 5, 1999 - 3:54 PM PT I blame it on the size of my dresser and bedroom. Who can live in a closet and keep it neat? Actually, I'm cleaning out the bedroom closet. At least I assume its the closet since the door of it doesn't open into the hallway. It could be another bedroom if mine is anything to judge by. 99. thomasd - Jan. 5, 1999 - 3:55 PM PT How come some part of my house are complete disaster areas, while other parts are kept up quite neatly? 100. thomasd - Jan. 5, 1999 - 3:55 PM PT I got 100. 101. CalGal - Jan. 5, 1999 - 3:56 PM PT Because your wife has focused her efforts to save her sanity? 102. ChristinO - Jan. 5, 1999 - 3:57 PM PT The pack-rat gene skips a generation in my family. My grandmother has boxes of mason jars in her garage. My mother got into a cleaning frenzy and almost threw out the pink slip to her car. I have the first report card I ever brought home from school.........and the plastic bag that I carried my lunch in that day. 103. ChristinO - Jan. 5, 1999 - 3:59 PM PT I know why there are areas of order in my house: I don't share a room with my flatmate and I try to keep my stuff out of the common areas. My garage however is a testament to beautiful organization. It took me three weeks to make it that way then I padlocked the sucker and promptly lost the key. I assume that it's still beautifully organized, but I have no way to check it. 104. CalGal - Jan. 5, 1999 - 4:00 PM PT I laughed. 105. stostosto - Jan. 6, 1999 - 7:42 AM PT Christine #103 You seem philosophically inclined. We *always* assume things are the way we left them. But we can never be sure. As a kid, I sometimes yanked the door to our clothing closet open in the hope of catching shoes and coats redhanded in other places than where they might be assumed to be. Of course, the suckers somehow *always* made it back to their designed position just in time for my suspicious prying. The assumption usually works. But: We Can Never Be Sure. And that is my take on cognitive philosophy. (I also liked the Master of the Universe character in "A Hitchhiker's guide to the Galaxy" a lot). 106. stostosto - Jan. 6, 1999 - 7:44 AM PT ...their DESIGNATED position... 107. stostosto - Jan. 6, 1999 - 7:52 AM PT And while I'm here (well, OK, actually I have checked the Interenational thread in the meantime, but that, I suspect is really more information than anybody really needs, so perhaps I should delete this whole parenthesized sentence, but what the heck), I might as well offer a New Year's Resolution. I Must Cut Down My Fraying Time This is not an actual resolution. It is more like a MUST. Otherwise I will not get anything else done in this - assumedly - only life of mine. Happy NY. 108. MizPhys - Jan. 6, 1999 - 8:15 AM PT I resolve to Fray more at home and less at work. (Posted at work, of course, but during lunch) 109. CalGal - Jan. 6, 1999 - 9:11 AM PT Sto, Did you ever see that Twilight Zone (or Outer Limits, which is this episode's place in my memory, as well) where a person got out of sequence and was three or four seconds ahead of time. He saw all these people whose job it was to continually prepare the second for its inhabitants? I was about 4, it seems like, when I saw this. So anyone who can remember more, please tell. All I can vividly remember is the dedication of these poor people--and the moment at the end when the guy looks for something and one second it's not there--and the next it is? Which was because the responsible person had been delayed a second or two in getting the object to its assigned position. I was very much struck by this, and often when I can't find something I inform these people that I'd appreciate it if they'd hurry up. 110. marshame - Jan. 6, 1999 - 1:30 PM PT I am neat and organized at home but a slob at work. I tolerate total chaos at work that would send me through the ceiling at home. Even my garage in better organized than my storage closet in my office. Is this odd, or what? 111. marshame - Jan. 6, 1999 - 1:31 PM PT Calgal I have always been struck by the fact that a lost article is always in the last place I look for it. 112. CalGal - Jan. 6, 1999 - 1:37 PM PT Really. Hmm. I have always looked in the place where it is several times before I find it. And there is usually some place that I have looked *first* for the last time before I go back and look at the place where it actually is. So I'm not sure which constitutes the last place I look. Is it "under my bed"--which, if I built a list called "Places I Have Looked", would appear last but wasn't actually where I found it? Or is it "on the bookshelf underneath the opened utilities bill"--which would be third on that list and, in fact, where it was. But I looked there five times and only actually saw it the last time. A dilemma. I think your office/home dichotomy reveals a dangerous inconsistency. 113. marshame - Jan. 6, 1999 - 2:56 PM PT You would think that after driving for 35 years, I would have decided by now where to put my car keys. I do have a place I put my car keys about 80% of the time. But, as we all know, the 80/20 rule applies, so I spend what seems like 100% of my time looking for where I put the keys 20% of the time. I will admit that they also wind up on the bookshelf underneath the opened utilities bill a fair amount of the time, as well. 114. OhioSTOPAS - Jan. 6, 1999 - 2:57 PM PT At work, I am guaranteed to find a misplaced document within five minutes after I give up the search and make the humiliating request to send me another copy. 115. OhioSTOPAS - Jan. 6, 1999 - 2:59 PM PT Hey, note that it's the 6th and I'm still keeping - just barely - my New Year's resolution not to check out the Fray on my office computer during working hours. (It's almost 6:00 here in Ohio - so I'm not neglecting my work to check out the Fray, just neglecting my family.) 116. marshame - Jan. 6, 1999 - 3:01 PM PT Ohio But that is not as bad as the boss popping in and waiting and watching while I shuffle through reams of paper to find the one thing he wants. Which of course I find one minute after the elevator door closes on his departure. The worst part of the paper shuffling is that I find myself babbling simultaneously (I know it was just here a minute ago.. let's see now, I'm sure I can put my hands on it if you'll get give me a minute... Oh! there *that* is, I was looking for that... anyway, I'm sure I'll come to it any minute now...) 117. CalGal - Jan. 6, 1999 - 3:04 PM PT Marsha, Pat Cadigan wrote a wonderful science fiction short story about Kate, a woman who was always losing things and her husband, Ted, who jokingly came up with the following theory: it wasn't that she was cursed, it was that things disappeared *when* she cursed. Since I swear like a truck driver, I was much struck by this possibility. (The story ended with her saying, "God DAMN it!" and then "Ted? Ted?" I howled.) But even better than the story was her intro, in which she recounted the time she had was all set to go on errands and her son said, in a panic, "Mommy! We can't go yet! We haven't looked for your KEYS!" and she realized that finding them without a hunt was so rare that her son thought it was part of the routine. 118. marshame - Jan. 6, 1999 - 3:11 PM PT Calgal Well since I don't swear, I am partial to the gremlin theorey, or else I have greatly underestimated the caginess of my cat in pulling pranks on me. But it does seem to be a universal law that the more hurried-er I am, the more like the keys (and glasses, and purse, etc. etc.) are to be missing! 119. arkymalarky - Jan. 6, 1999 - 4:07 PM PT What I hate is people like our school secretary who can pick from a mountain of papers, folders, etc, whatever anyone is looking for like a bear catching fish in a rapid river. A funny story about losing things: My dad lost his keys one time and for days he continued to look everywhere he could think of with no success. He had completely given up, and one day he was out in the back yard tending our beagle, who had the spoiled personality of a teacup(pick your variety so I don't offend any dog owners)lap dog, and he noted out of the corner of his eye that she was digging something shiny up from the corner of the yard. He just watched her as she tried to trot the item to another location, and sure enough, it was his keys. 120. CalGal - Jan. 6, 1999 - 4:37 PM PT From Civil War and Reconstruction, post #393, by PseudoErasmus: "I don't mean to offend, so don't take this adversarially. " Is this a New Year's Resolution or an early portent of Millenial upheaval? 121. CalGal - Jan. 6, 1999 - 4:37 PM PT Sigh. "Millennial" 122. ChristinO - Jan. 6, 1999 - 4:56 PM PT CG, I read an interesting variation and combination of the story you read and Marsha's gremlin theory. A harried housewife one day catches a minor demon----could be a gremlin----trying to hide her car keys. He's just an annoying demon, not really dangerous. His assigned duty is to hide whatever item it is you're just about to use. The demon is terrified at having been caught, sure he'll get in trouble with The Boss and he offers to make a deal with her. The demon agrees to take only items that belong to her husband--who's a jerk of the first water--- in future if she will agree not to tell anyone she knows about the demon's existence. They shake hands over it and done deal. Not long after that the wife has to throw together a last minute cocktail party for her husband's business associates. Because he's never introduced her to any of them she finds herself the unwilling confidant of her husband's secretary who tells her breathlessly "I'm so excited! I'm going upstairs to meet Ted in the bedroom for a quickie while his cow of a wife sweats in the kitchen!" Sure enough the secretary sneaks upstairs followed closely by Ted. The wife watches miserably then catches sight of the little demon giving her a wink and moments later the sound of hysterical screaming comes from upstairs. I wonder what it was of Ted's that he was just about to use that disappeared? 123. CalGal - Jan. 6, 1999 - 5:05 PM PT Christin, If you're making that up, it is *very* funny. If you aren't making that up, it's spooky. 124. concerned - Jan. 6, 1999 - 5:09 PM PT Re. 123 - Don't look under your bed tonite, CalGal. 125. ChristinO - Jan. 6, 1999 - 5:16 PM PT CG, It was a short story I read in some anthology. I WISH I'd made it up. I laughed my ass off. 126. bloodnfire - Jan. 7, 1999 - 3:24 AM PT Marshame. Your Message #111 Surely everything we look for is in the last place we look ? I mean we wouldn't keep on looking in other places after we've.....Oh, never mind. :-) 127. marshame - Jan. 7, 1999 - 11:08 AM PT bloodnfire shucks, you figured it out! I resolve not to ever set foot in the Esoterica Thread again. Sheesh what a bunch of grouches! 128. FreeToChoose - Jan. 8, 1999 - 6:40 AM PT CalGal “an unconscious manifestation of my inner chaos.” Great line. I think I'll steal it. 129. Ronski - Jan. 10, 1999 - 2:25 PM PT Cal, That Twilight Zone episode you mention was in the recent (relatively) remake of the series, which was mounted in the 80s, I think. I saw the same episode, one of the few of the remake that I bothered with, but it was quite a good one. I've never forgotten it. Few things can compare with the original Serling half-hour series, however. 130. pfitz59 - Jan. 10, 1999 - 2:46 PM PT i've entered the wrong dimension. was this "new year's resolutions", or reincarnations? (Rod Serling?) 131. marshame - Jan. 12, 1999 - 12:42 PM PT Okay, does anyone have a secret for motivating oneself to change one's habits? How does one, in middle-age, get the drive to become disciplined? What can trigger that desire to forego comfort and pleasure for austerity, rigor and discipline? Is that the secret of the universe??? If not, please share, because here it is, the 12th already, and I have only made one resolution (to save a certain sum of money by a certain date), but have only mused over my need to get more excercise, eat more healthfully, etc. etc. 132. arkymalarky - Jan. 12, 1999 - 1:55 PM PT You just haven't yet found the right motivational book and/or video. 133. JaDeGoLd - Jan. 12, 1999 - 1:57 PM PT Marsh; Ritual is key. 134. marshame - Jan. 12, 1999 - 2:12 PM PT Arky I beg you, tell me, what is its name? Jade Somehow I picture you as a 102# work-aholic who gets up at 5am to get in her 6 miles before work. 135. arkymalarky - Jan. 12, 1999 - 2:18 PM PT Oh, I don't know. There are probably zillions of 'em, so you'd just have to buy and try until you found the right one. Of course, that would make it hard for you to meet your one resolution, but just think what a balanced, happy individual you'll be when you find just the right program for you! My own personal lack of discipline comes from a compulsion to continue my teenage assertion of independence from my dad, who thinks oatmeal tastes good, especially when topped with wheatgerm. 136. marshame - Jan. 12, 1999 - 2:20 PM PT Arky Maybe I could start by opening the Racquel Welch aerobics video I bought 3 years ago. Jade Sloth and gluttony have their ritual, too, you know. But why or why am I defending myself, when I want to change!! (Actually, I want a magic wand...) 137. Judithathome - Jan. 12, 1999 - 2:54 PM PT marshame: One good motivational reason for eating more healthily is that you will be around longer to look for that one perfect book to motivate you further.(g) I have found that making a short list of things to do and marking them off as I do them is a good way to acheive a feeling of accomplishment. Then, after doing those few things you move on to a few more. After awhile, you find you are doing more each day and it becomes a little more automatic. I am almost too organized but get out of the habit of getting things done occassionally and I start over with simple lists til I get back to my usual routine. 138. marshame - Jan. 12, 1999 - 2:59 PM PT Judith Thanks for the suggestions. I am afraid I am going to wake up one day in the hospital with a serious situation on my hands - oops, too late! (or, I could NOT wake up...) I'm getting close to the age where my father died in his sleep of a heart attack. So I guess that is what's on my mind. 139. PincherMartin - Jan. 12, 1999 - 3:06 PM PT I think that Americans should collectively pledge to lose a few pounds. Americans are getting so fat that even our homeless look rounder than Christmas hams. I would bet that the people living below the poverty line in the United States have a higher caloric intake than many European nations. 140. marshame - Jan. 12, 1999 - 3:08 PM PT Pincher Sad but true. High fat and high calorie is everywhere! 141. Judithathome - Jan. 12, 1999 - 3:11 PM PT marshame: I know exactly what you mean. My mom died of complications after surgery for hip replacement and they said her weight was a contributing factor. The week after she passed away, I started to walk every day and did that until my knee gave out. Then, my dad died suddenly from a heart attack so I started riding my stationary bike and am so far continuing this. I am determined to eat as healthily as possible without resorting to fad diets and to take vitamins and herbs which are beneficial. I've lost 30lbs in the last 9 months and am building muscle around my knee so that hopefully, I will be able to resume my walks by spring. There's nothing like a good scare to work as incentive...3 good friends have passed away in the past year and I don't want to be next.. 142. PincherMartin - Jan. 12, 1999 - 3:14 PM PT Congratualations JudithatHome. 30 pounds in 9 months is an accomplishment, especially when you don't result to staring yourself or to fad diets. 143. PincherMartin - Jan. 12, 1999 - 3:14 PM PT that should be starving, not staring yourself. 144. BonJour - Jan. 13, 1999 - 1:19 PM PT Ha! Aux armes, BonJour is back to fight his enemy. 145. marshame - Jan. 13, 1999 - 3:11 PM PT Jude - I second the congratulations. 146. imposant - Jan. 15, 1999 - 9:36 PM PT new years resolution #9: to check out slate, drudge and sundance sites once in a while home