Gifts, Memories and Today.

source: Amazon

As I posted previously, Chanukah with my family was rather disjointed due to a 2 week contract for me. We finally exchanged gifts as a family (Mommy, Mario, Little Suzy, Gracie the wonder beagle and me) on New Years Day. I scored a major haul. Texting gloves (for texting while driving in cold weather), a tripod for my smart phone (hello, vlogging) a huge bag of Belly Flops (all the flavors, all the calories, a fraction of the price) and the Tom Lehrer collection (including a DVD of a concert from Oslo, hopefully subtitled).

Matt Jaffe

I was turned on to Tom Lehrer in junior high by Matt Jaffe (if you enjoy hiking, check out Matt at about.com). We spent hours listening to That Was The Year That Was. I even went with Matt and his family to see Tom Lehrer for a McGovern fundraiser. In retrospect, McGovern needed a vote raiser. I understood much (not all) of Lehrer's context and the time spent with Matt and Tom certainly shaped who I am today.

As I was listening to the CD yesterday, I realized that Mario is the same age I was when I started listening to Tom Lehrer. I know Mario wouldn't listen to Tom Lehrer with me. Mario is very young for his age and being an Aspie, Mario can't share my sense of humor. I know Mario picks up on household values from our conversations. Still I am concerned about how Mario will shape his views on the world around him. Friends help kids with defining themselves (especially during those years when parents know nothing) and being an Aspie, Mario has no friends. Finally I know there are no simple answers and things work out. Still, I can't help but worry.

Any recent gifts that bring up old memories? Any worries about your kids that you like to think you can change, but really can't change?

Three Words.

Chris Brogan wrote a New Year non- resolutions post that I loved. Instead of resolutions, pick 3 words and spend the year honing those 3 words. Simple, right? Probably not, but I won't know until 2012 becomes 2013. Here are my three words for 2012.

source: Kids Math Games Online

Time.

Like natural resources and drinkable water, time is in limited supply. There are only 24 hours a day and 365 (366 during a leap year) days a year. In 2012 I want to invest time in working on making better use of my time. T. Boone Pickens is quoted "Work eight hours, sleep eight hours. Make sure they're not the same eight hours." I don't feel the need to squeeze the juice and grate the rind of every day. I want to plan and execute work and relaxation and keep both in their proper column.

Choice.

I do many things each day. Almost everything I do (spending time, eating, reacting to others) is by choice. I regularly fool myself by saying "I have to..." but in fact, unless it is a matter of life and death "I choose to...". Some of these choices my involve not wasting food or avoiding arguments, but these actions are still choices. Having a better year means making better choices.

Google+.

After reading "What Would Google Do?" on the advice of Gini Dietrich (well a blog post by Gini actually, but it sounds much better if I intimate she was addressing me personally), I switched my browser to Chrome (until Microsoft decided it was foreign matter and locked me out. I haven't had time, energy or anger management skills to restore my beloved Chrome). When it came to time to select a smartphone, I went Android. So when Google introduced their powerful new social network, I invested time and energy to become proficient in Google+. Not exactly. Pretty much not at all. I learned Twitter and how to blog. I've improved on LinkedIn and Facebook. If I'm going to continue building the brand of me, I must slay Google+ in 2012.

How about you? How do you feel about words and/or resolutions? What are you going to do to make 2012 the kick-ass year you want it to be? Hey, whet my appetite and I'll invite you to guest post.

Weekend Magazine: Happy New Year.

soruce: freesongscenter.blogspot.com

And so, it begins again.