The Population of Resolution City Goes WILD!

For today, I made good on my 2010 resolutions:

1) Shape up. I devoted 40 minutes to cardio today -- 25 on the stationery bike and 15 swimming. The latter means 15 mins. swimming, not just splashing about in the pool. No one would confuse me with Dana Torres, but I did the breast stroke and the back stroke for 15 minutes.

2) No more bags. My resolve was sorely tempted this morning. My favorite blue purse suffered a broken strap this week and I almost hit "send" when I saw that eBags had similar bags on sale. But no. I decided to see if they can't repair this one at the shoe repair. And if they can't, well, I'll have to make do with the contents of my personal inventory.

3) No more books. Even though there was a most seductive "sale" sign in the window of Border's, I stayed away. Even better, I saved money by getting a free lunch at Bruegger's (salmon softwich and bottle of Tropicana) thanks to a coupon, free admission to It's Complicated (my "buy 7 tickets, get the 8th free" theater punch card) and a free medium popcorn, courtesy of another coupon.

Today I proved to myself that I can indeed make progress toward becoming healthier and wealthier. Let's hear it for the Gal!

I'm not in love. It's just a silly phase I'm going through.

This is Nigel Barker -- fashion photographer and judge on America's Next Top Model. He's got a fabulous, fascinating accent (English but with a touch of something exotic) and a confident, "I own this" manner. He's got an edge but he's not as cutting sharp as Simon on AI. But like Simon, I find myself waiting for his critiques of the models. Nigel is why I'm ANTM-obsessed.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Call Me

1. Who phones you routinely that you never seem to be up to talk to, but you are not ready to push them out of your life? No one anymore. It occurred to me over the holidays that our awkward friendship may be over because I didn't get a holiday card from her. She's nice, but we really don't have anything to talk about.

2. What is something that effects you deeply, to your core, no matter your mood or what else is going on in your life? Music. Certain songs have a way of getting right to my gut. No matter how unhappy or rattled I may be, "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire* can lift my spirits.

3. Tell us of something that relaxes you and always makes you happy. Water. Swimming, soaking in a tub or bubbles, even a quick shower can make me feel better.

4. If you could take the train from anywhere to anywhere, where would 'anywhere' be? I have fantasized about this. Escaping by myself for the weekend by taking the next Amtrak out of Union Station. Not going far, but not going to a predetermined destination -- just deciding when I get to the ticket window. St. Louis ... Kansas City ... Milwaukee ... Minneapolis ...

5. If you could look into the future, how far down the road would you like to see? 10 years? 100 years? A million? I'd like to check in on myself and my loved ones in 10 year intervals. Maybe fly around with The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come for the night.

6. Did you do your shopping online for this Christmas, how did it go? Did things come in on time? Any significant failures? ...and if you didn't, will you consider trying online shopping sometime this year? Everything went well. Special kudos to Signals, who got me the bracelet I ordered my mom just in time.

7. What people or projects are worth your time, money or effort? I'm partial to efforts that help kids and critters, since they can't help themselves. American Humane is an especially worthy organization.

8. Think back when you were in high school. Are you proud of the way you dressed, or do you wish you could go back and change it all? I think I dressed OK. Jeans and tshirts are pretty timeless. It's my hair -- long and so frizzy that it was always either pulled back or held up in barrettes -- that was really awful.

9. Do any of your friends, family or co-workers know about your blogs? For those that do, did you tell them or have they stumbled upon it by themselves? My oldest friend actually stumbled upon it. She's the only one I know who has found it.


*"Ba-de-ya. Say do you remember, ba-de-ya. Dancing in September, ba-de-ya. Golden dreams were shiny days."