New Year: Mixed Bag

Is it too cliche to still write New Year resolutions on January 1? Notice that 4 of my 2006 resolutions have been carried over to 2007. I think those deserve a 2nd attempt. But overall I'm pretty happy about my progress on my 2006 goals. I'm hopeful that this year I'll bat at least a .75. If anyone has any suggestions for a class to take for my #10 resolution, please throw it out there. Right now I'm considering salsa dancing, cooking, and yoga.

Random thought: You gotta love songs about men working themselves to the grave, all for a thankless cold-hearted bitch:

Led Zeppelin - "Since I've Been Loving You"


Michael Jackson - "Workin Day and Night"


George Michael - "Everything She Wants"


So Christmas in Vegas was not too shabby. I consistently had great coffee every morning (and night), ate amazingly well (too well), dipped deep into my savings (on multiple shopping binges), and spent a lot of quality time with the family (and without the need for sedatives). I have to confess though, that Vegas isn't really my bag. When I travel, I like to look at things and speculate about the trail of events and circumstances that led to its existence, even if it's mostly myth or nonsense that's all created in my mind. Like the burial mounds in Korea's old capital Gyeongju, or the Colosseum in Rome, or paella in Madrid. I think that requires at least the veil of authenticity, which is pretty much the anti-thesis of Vegas. That being said, it's hard to decline a free vacation in a lux hotel even if it is to a place that is entirely about surface value.

Another random thought: I'm so happy that Dyson's inventor is getting knighted!



Finally, I am trying to put together a list of must-read books for this year, of reasonable length, fiction or non-fiction, and from any year/country/genre (except fantasy). So far I have:

1. "Brief Interviews with Hideous Men" by David Foster Wallace
2. "The Weather Makers: How Man Is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth" by Tim Flannery
3. "Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking" by Malcolm Gladwell

So recommendations would be much appreciated!