Andrew / November 11, 2007 10:08 PM

Question suggested by fluffy.

It's very unlikely that I will get in better shape before the end of the year. But I did quit my old job to go freelance, so I'm batting .500!

jennifer / November 12, 2007 2:08 AM

oh geez, can I even remember any goals specifically? there may have been one about getting through another two semesters of grad school, but mostly, I think there were lofty aspirations to improve my quality of life, be a good friend/girlfriend/family member/citizen of the world.

I think I've done pretty well thus far. if I make it through this semester's exams & papers, continue to maintain my relationships, and do yoga at least twice a week, I will be satisfied (even happy) with the year. that's what is important, right?

now, on to doing a better job at one of those quality of life improvements: going to sleep at a 'decent' hour.

Mateo / November 12, 2007 8:41 AM

I did accomplish my New Year´s resolutions, and I am kind of proud. In 2007 I set out to complete my MBA, learn to speak Portuguese, and get a job in Europe or Latin America where I could use my various language skills and economic acumen. And here I am, out of the rather provincial business environment of Chicago, working in Madrid, helping a Spanish bank manages its retail banking operations in Brasil and México.

This year was great but in past years I have failed miserably in such things as: not biting my fingernails, quitting smoking, and keeping my bed room in better order. No plans to do any of these by the end of this year.

Shasta / November 12, 2007 9:30 AM

I don't set new year's resolutions because it seems most people set them just to set them. Although in late January I did set a goal to get out of debt and I've accomplished that. Not an official new year's resolution, but something I was passionate about and able to execute.

spence / November 12, 2007 9:47 AM

My goals were:
-Stop smoking
-Play in a soccer league
-Exercise and lose weight
-Learn a second language

I've been smoke free for a year (I actually quit last November, but my resolution was to keep it going), I've been playing in soccer leagues since last January, and I've been running since the beginning of September. I've lost around 10 lbs and I've been taking Spanish classes since January. All in all, I'm pretty proud of myself.

Leelah / November 12, 2007 10:10 AM

I didn't have a real resolution, but I'm sure I wanted to get in better shape. I was fairly successful at that until I started teaching an extra class at school and mentoring outside of school. I'll try and pick up the workout habit again once I'm on winter break... around 2008...

kate / November 12, 2007 10:20 AM

I can't remember the last time I made resolutions. I was chubbier this time last year and I dropped the weight, but that wasn't a resolution so much as a "Oh damn, I need to stop looking like this" situation.

I'll consider quitting smoking next year but... well, I really like smoking. Like I said, I'll consider quitting.

I resolve to make no resolutions.

avant/chi / November 12, 2007 12:07 PM

Two major goals were accomplished which we are very proud of - make a movie (Off the Cuff - which is in post for editing) and get our book Blues and the Machine published online - both done or in the process - which is very good for us. To finish to projects!

Andrew / November 12, 2007 2:07 PM

I definitely had a goal of taking better care of my body this year, which I've pretty much accomplished by going to the gym rather regularly and even participating in a couple 5Ks with a friend. In college you would have never caught me in the gym, now I'm heading there 3x/wk.

I also had a goal to pass all components of my PhD comprehensive exams the first time 'round, and I'm happy to say I accomplished this as well! Getting that email made the insane amount of stress over the summer almost worth the effort.

Neither of these were 'official' New Years Resolutions, but as as goals for this year I feel pretty satisfied with myself. Next year, keep working out, teach more, finish my dissertation proposal, apply for research funding.

YAJ / November 12, 2007 3:57 PM

Yep, but just barely. I had resolved to get a handle on my fiscal situation, identify and consolidate my debt, get the house re-appraised, etc. Just finished it all up and now I feel much more secure.

fluffy / November 12, 2007 4:27 PM

I haven't reached my goals and I'm really bummed about it.

Val / November 12, 2007 5:03 PM

Resolution: to be more frugal.

Achievement: I booked a trip to Europe for the New Year.

I'll try again next year.

Archie / November 12, 2007 7:26 PM

Last year my resolution was 1280x1024. I am now 1920x1200. So I would say that I have exceeded my expectations.

erin / November 13, 2007 10:23 AM

My resolution was to give up pop. I was a diet coke addict previously.

I've been clean since Jan 3rd.

skafiend / November 13, 2007 10:42 AM

Stopped making resolutions about 20 years ago. Seemed pointless and phony to me. Putting a life-changing decision in such a high-profile context seems like a recipe for failure. And most of the time it is. Life should be a series of constant resolutions in an effort to improve one's self. My last resolution was about two years ago and made in June... to never get that drunk again. I've stuck to it. My advice: make a resolution in mid-March. It's a lot less pressure.

Clarke / November 13, 2007 12:09 PM

BWAHAHAHAHA!!! Oh man, funny question. (snicker. snort.)

kelly / November 13, 2007 1:22 PM

i did......i ran a half marathon, started having much more sex, and went back to school. all extremely good things.

Elizabeth / November 13, 2007 1:41 PM

I can't even remember my resolution from last year.

This year, I am going to try not to get so annoyed by my cube neighbor's loud crunching. Why the carrots and the Doritos every single frickin' day?

Maybe my resolution should be to lighten the eff up.

C-Note / November 13, 2007 2:13 PM

As some of y'all know, the Note had a rough 2006. This past New Years', I resolved to have a better year than last year, and I've been making it happen. I figured, well, they're MY days, it's MY year, so I made it my business to get it on in 2007, and that's what's been happening, so it's all good. I've been chokin' the shit out of 2007.

editorkid / November 13, 2007 2:36 PM

Wasn't so much a resolution or even a goal, but I decided it was time to get back into a relationship. The spring fling turned out to be stunningly immature and weirdly cheap (the only time she served me dinner at her place, she charged me for my share!); I do miss her sense of style and her friendship, but anything more than friendship wouldn't have lasted much longer anyway. Maybe someday she'll realize we do make good friends when she wants to be one. And while right now I can't say I'm in a relationship, I feel like there could be some really nice potential. So everyone wins.

Kevin / November 13, 2007 3:31 PM

My resolution was to stop making resolutions and I did...oops...maybe not.

Kevin

Carlotta / November 13, 2007 11:52 PM

Well, the resolution to lose more weight failed badly; I backslid. If I can get back to exercising, keeping a food diary and losing a few pounds in the next month & a half, I'll consider it encouragement for next year.

In regards to moving to a new place -- life does offer surprises & on short notice I got a much larger place right across the street for just a little more money. It is helping in another resolution in getting rid of things I don't need anymore.

Find a new job? My old one left me early in the year, so technically I did get a new job out of necessity. That'll still be on next year's list.

Steve / November 14, 2007 8:30 AM

What's the rush? I've got like seven more weeks to accomplish them, gosh! How long can it take to become a master vegetable gardener and swim in the lake each morning?

paul / November 14, 2007 9:15 AM

I too, resolved years ago not to make resolutions, and that's the only resolution I've kept - or maybe haven't kept since I've kept that one.

sam b / November 14, 2007 9:16 AM

i've never made a new year resolution and have managed to keep them all.