RESOLUTION TIME

Yep, it's that time of year again. New Year's resolution time. When most of us voluntarily set ourselves up for failure. Quit smoking, lose weight, manage our money better, be kinder, be more patient, etc, etc. All lofty goals with lots of good intentions behind each and every one. But, how many of us succeed? I'm sure there is some sort of statistic out there showing success and failure rate. But, I'm not going to look it up because, you know what? I don't want to know. That statistic doesn't really matter. What does matter is the hope and the belief that this will be our year. That this year we will change our lives for the better. So here's to hoping for success in the coming year in whatever you want to accomplish.

PROUD MOMENT

My son graduated college this past weekend. After 12 years, three moves, three colleges and one divorce, he earned (and I do mean earned) his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arkansas. I'm sure any parent who has attended their child's graduation ceremony will agree with me, it was a very proud moment. I couldn't stop smiling and I couldn't stop the tears. Even though he's a grown man, I saw all the years of his childhood pass through my memory. His first word, his first steps, his first day at school, his first hit in baseball, his first goal in soccer, his time as Drum Major. They all played on the big screen of my memory bank. It was a very emotional day, full of laughter and friendship. There was also a bit of regret on my part that I wasn't able to help him more. You see, his sophomore year at his first college, his father and I divorced. I didn't have the monetary resources to help him anymore and my emotional support was probably lacking a bit also. I thought of all those other parents who stuck together and aided their children with their college expenses and I felt a bit ashamed. But, perhaps he is a stronger man because of that. He's learned how to survive, that's for sure. So to all the new graduates out there - congratulations on a job well done, whatever path you took to get there. Now go out and make this world a little better.

EPIC FAIL

Time to admit defeat. I didn't finish NaNo. I only made it through the first week and 10,000 words. My writer friends will tell me that's 10,000 more words than I had before November and while that is true, it's not much consolation. I wanted to win again. I wanted a 2011 winner's certificate. I wanted bragging rights!

Where did I lose my way? Hmmm, my excuses are as follows: I didn't like my story and decided to change it halfway through week one. But, the change didn't motivate me either.  I was attacked by a mean cold. I had a hard time just spitting out words I knew I would have to edit out later. But, let's be honest. I was just plain lazy. I didn't want to get up early in the morning and write. I didn't want to take my laptop to work and write during lunch. I didn't want to go home right after work and write. I just didn't want to do it. I took a wrong turn at Lazyville and couldn't find my way back.

I plan on participating in my local writer's group, Sleuth's Ink, Jano project. It's like NaNo, but obviously in January. And there are prizes and write-ins with people I like. Plus , I can finish a story I was working on before NaNo. So all is not lost. I'll get back on track soon. But, this time I might take a map with me.