2012: More Fun.

Every year I make New Year's Resolutions. Usually it's a long list full of unpleasant chores or personal qualities I wish I had, but clearly don't; And every year I am disappointed when I fail to make myself a better person or check all of the unpleasant things off the list.

This year I made resolutions again... But instead of a list that overwhelms me in it's drudgery, I resolved to have more fun. For so many reasons, Philadelphia has been a hard destination for me. Joy takes an effort here; An uphill battle that I too often feel I am losing. I guess this list is my last stand. A full assault against loneliness and boredom.

The List is 52 things long. One for every week in the year. My goal is to get through at least 1/2 of them:

1. Snow Tubing!

2. Scavenger Race

3. Learn to Make Croissants

4. Make a Baking Portfolio

5. Cape Cod Trip

6. Visit Texas (Non Holiday)

7. Grow Extended Herb Garden

8. Participate in Farm CSA

9. Cook a whole fish

10. Seasonal Recipe for Winter, Spring, Fall

11. Make own tamale recipe

12. Make homemade ice cream

13. White Water Rafting

14. Make fresh pasta

15. Go to Italian Market in Philly

16. Bike Ride by River in Philly or Fairmont Park Loop

17. Rent a cabin for the weekend

18. Be in a baking or cooking contest

19. Dance Lessons w/ Anthony

20. Build or restore a piece of furniture

21. Cook lamb rack

22. Try a mussels/ seafood bowl

23. Create a reading list for Emma

24. NanoWrimo 2012 - volunteer/ NPO book

25. Dress up for Halloween

26. Make my own lamp

27. Make a quilt patch that is poster-styled

28. Preserve Tomatoes

29. Make pickles at home

30. Go on a movie date with Anthony

31. Go to nice restaurant (Cake or Drakes or Top of Hill Cafe or American Cookery) in Chestnut Hill

32. Go to Hershey with Mom

33. Take a trip to Smithsonian in DC

34. Road trip to Bluebird Cafe in R.I.

35. Go back to New York for a weekend.

36. Go to Jersey Shore Boardwalk / Ocean City

37. Get a deep tissue massage

38. Stay in a hotel with a big tub for a weekend and take a bubble bath.

39. Play mini golf with Choi

40. Go to a farm to table restaurant

41. Go to Getteysburg with Dad.

42. Go to the Mutter Museum

43. Put wedding vows on canvas

44. Race Car w/ Anthony

45. Manayunk Bike Race festival in Summer

46. Create Something with my Kodak photos.

47. Play a social sport/ Join a team

48. Go to a concert: streetlight, suburban legend, woody pines, etc.

49. Go to a drive-in movie

50. Longwood Gardens at night

51. Philly Art Museum (free Sunday mornings)

52. Hike on the Appalachian Trail