Okay 2014, I'm Comin' For Ya!!

I don't usually like to make New Year's Resolutions.  The word "resolution" has become fraught with an almost impending sense of failure attached to it, so instead, I make a list of "25 Things I'd Like to Accomplish" for the New Year.

A very talented musician acquaintance of mine, Julian Velard, wrote his resolutions on his blog and asked readers to send him their resolutions; he will choose different ones to post on Facebook every day, and in doing so, hopes to encourage everyone to stick with their statements.

A nice idea, though some of mine are personal enough to me that I think strangers may find them boring.  And there's no point in putting something on Facebook that's boring, I mean, come on.  But if you're reading this, you're probably not a stranger to me, so here you have it!

One last thought:

Looking back, I really feel like 2013 was a year of laying foundations.  Although I made strides in many areas of my life, I was not able to cross off a lot of larger goals from my list (some re-appear below!)  However, the journey I took in the past year feels like it primed me to be in a position to achieve a multitude of things in the New.  I hope you may feel the same!

25 T.I.L.T.A. in 2014:

- See more live music (including Julian Velard, of course.)
- Pick up my beautiful guitar more, and write music again.  It's been too long.

Palace of Pena, Sintra Portugal '13

- Read more.
- Get one, maybe two, more stamps in my passport this year.
- See my friends in person (and off fb) more.
- Get back on Broadway in a new show. (New to me, doesn't have to be original cast or anything.)
- Do a play - Time Stands Still would be a good one.
- Do Next to Normal (dream role; time to make it a reality.)
- Do shows that feel like true collaboration.
- Stay committed to being healthy and fit.  More boot camp, more yoga, more dance, more surfing, more skiing - & come up with some new things to try!  I know I love sore muscles - means I worked hard.  So lots of soreness in 2014.  :-)

Chef's jacket Dad got me.

- Cook more exciting and delicious recipes (gotta balance out the fitness, right?)
- Blog Wine Minx more frequently.
- Teach a seminar on Turkish Wines for the Society of Wine Educators.
- Do more wine dinners at NYC restaurants.
- FINISH writing my book, "All you REALLY Need to Know About Wine." Must.  Finish.  Book.
- Actually take the Certified Sommelier intro class (man, they fill up SO FAST!!!)
- Increase my income.
- A mutual, loving relationship with an amazing man who thinks I'm the $h!t.
- Less 'mindless TV watching' at night.  (I've seen all the episodes of "Friends" enough times already.)
- Strive to continue discipline like organized desk, clean house, etc.
- Continue to explore taking risks in all areas of my life.  "Do something every day that scares you" and so on.
- Make more things: jewelry, sweaters, art...
- Be a good friend to my friends and a good daughter to my parents; love the people in my life!
- Keep up with my languages (French, Russian, Spanish, Italian, German, Turkish, Greek, Portuguese,) & learn another.
- Live a thoughtful, introspective, focused and joyful life.  Don't be afraid to be silly.  Don't let fear of judgment affect my actions.  Honor who I am by being all I am.


That's a good place to start, I think.  Any of yours you're really excited about?  Leave them in the comments below!  And have a Happy and Wonderful New Year!  Bring it on, 2014!!!