For the last few years, I have only made one New Year's Resolution per year, a celestial wish that I hope gives meaning and shape to the 12 months ahead, a theme even. Since 2002 has not been easy but I have great hope for 2003, I'm tempted to say "Don't change a thing!" but that's kind of the easy way out.
I've had a lot of time to be by myself this month, often uncomfortable from the pain and exhaustion from post-surgery rehab. While I spent many of those hours zoning out in front of movies, books, video games and other piles of witzy ditzy entertainment, it got real old real fast. By about day 5, I felt like I was continuously getting off a long airplane flight, which my ears clogged and the world sounding like an unending hum of noise rattling around in my head, a lunatic trying to free itself.
It was horrible, the inability to be quiet and hear myself think, the once-removed-from-reality by constant distraction. I love movies and books and culture as much as the next person, but what am I really getting from it if I'm stuffed to the point of bursting?
For 2003, I'm like some peace, some, as Mary Chapin Carpenter once said, "cool quiet and time to think." I'm going to try to shoot up with noise less, to enjoy a little silence and to produce some of those words and images I've had such fun snarfing down. I'm going to try and savor the noise I do allow in, rather than gulping and frantically searching for more.
My best to all of you for a safe, healthy and happy New Year. And if you've got some New Year's Resolutions, I've love to hear them.
See you tomorrow, when we start it all again.

Bookmark Now: Writing in Unreaderly Times edited by Kevin Smokler
The Customer Is Always Wrong: The Retail Chronicles edited and compiled by Jeff Martin. Essay by me on page 45.