Each New Year, we are made to feel guilty because we adopt resolutions for ourselves that we rarely keep. Supposedly, this tradition was started by the Babylonians when they promised to pay off their debts. I’m sure even the Babylonians had trouble keeping that resolution just as I am sure we continue to make resolutions and not keep them.
I guess the overall concept is for each of us to aspire to self-improvement. That’s not a bad thing so I guess we could all be due for a little introspection.
Again, as in years’ past, since I rarely ever even think about New Year’s resolutions, I sought some guidance to come up with some. I found a list of the top ten so I analyzed them for myself:
1. Stay Fit and Healthy
Not only is this a good idea, but our company really tries to help us do this. They offer a weekly tip on exercise and diet. But the cuisine at most stadiums and gymnasiums is not usually made up of greens and vegetables. For my workout, I do try to run to the refreshment stand to get my two hot dogs.
2. Lose Weight
Much like Oprah, I struggle to lose the poundage. Now if Weight Watchers would just offer me a small percentage of Oprah’s contract, then I think I could wrap my waist around the idea, but NO CONTRACT = NO DICE!
3. Enjoy Life More
Now here is a resolution I can wrap my head around. I will do my absolute best to fulfill this resolution, so if it looks like I am ignoring #1 and #2, you have the reason why.
4. Spend Less, Save More
Why tell me? Tell my wife, my kids, my grandkids, and the people who run the Sands Casino. They could all REALLY help here.
5. Spend More Time With Family and Friends
I like the concept, but I think my family and friends see just about enough of me. I have no way of gauging this, but no one seems to be clamoring to spend more time with me. In fact, my wife often says, “Don’t you have somewhere to go?” So, until they make it perfectly clear that this is one of their resolutions for me, I am going to ignore this.
6. Get Organized
Check! I am organized – on getting work done at work and avoiding it at home. It’s an art, you know.
7. Learn Something New/New Hobby
I already do crosswords, read, play golf, watch the NFL, college football, college basketball and attend hundreds of sporting events. Leave me alone!
8. Travel More
Okay, but does anyone know how to do that and “Spend less, save more”? (See #4)
9. Read More
Look – I have a Nook Reader and use it quite a bit. I could probably work on a more intellectual reading list, but I like Stephen King.
10. Don’t Make Any Resolutions
This was actually a resolution made by 16% of the people polled by the Nielsen people. So I think I have figured out this resolution thing. If you have a good job, a nice family, good friends, and a wonderful wife, there is only one resolution that really matters –Don’t change anything!!
I’M GOOD FOR 2017!
ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS)
- As bad as Wild Card weekend was in terms of interesting and competitive games, this weekend should be just the opposite. When you look at the match-ups – Seattle at Atlanta; Houston at New England; Pittsburgh at Kansas City; and Green Bay at Dallas, only the New England game looks like a rout. I was 4-0 making the picks last week. That won’t happen this weekend.
- It was reported by ESPN that Odell Beckham, Jr. punched a hole in the wall and banged his head against the door outside the Giants locker room in Green Bay after their loss on Sunday. As uncharacteristic as his performance was on Sunday, his reaction in the locker room seems just about normal for him.
- Penn State star and Whitehall graduate Saquon Barkley attended the Freedom at Whitehall game this past Friday just days after his amazing Rose Bowl performance. It happened to be Whitehall’s Hall of Fame night. Saquon already has a lock on admission to that group. Many fans wanted “selfies” and autographs. Saquon was cordial about it all, but seemed shy about his fame. He better get used to it.
- Lafayette’s Matt Klinewski scored a career high 34 points this past Sunday. It was his second 30+ performance in the last four games and his third of the season. No Leopard has ever had three 30-point games in one year since Lafayette joined the Patriot League in 1990.
- I don’t know if you noticed, but the Philadelphia 76ers are not the worst team in the NBA at the moment nor the second worst team. As I write this, they are 1.5 games ahead of Miami and 2.5 games ahead of New Jersey. It must be a “cold day in…” the Lehigh Valley and it is!
Gary’s Guesses: NFL Picks – (Last week – 4-0; Overall – 165-92-2 – 64%)
PLAYOFFS – WEEK 2
ATLANTA
NEW ENGLAND
KANSAS CITY
DALLAS
