A Better 2009

Yesterday I picked up a copy of the U.S. News and World Report because of the title on the cover. It said "50 Ways to Improve Your Life in 2009" and who would not want to have a better life in 2009? Here are a some of the 50 things you and I can do to insure that 2009 is better than 2008 (the ones in green are the ones I can/will actually do):

1. Bike to work (it will only take me a couple of hours to do that).
2. Get a new toothbrush (totally doable).
3. Move to Vermont (not gonna happen; I love the unpredictable weather here in Alabama and I would miss my family and friends).
4. Walk the craves away (good idea).
5. Have your eyes checked (put that on the to-do list).
6. Take and afternoon nap (check).
7. Investigate the tales of Edgar Allan Poe (not sure why).
8. Save that November 5 newspaper (if I have already thrown it away, how do I get another one? And do I really want to keep it if I have it?).
9. Make yourself an author (hmmm, what would I write about?).
10. Do a crossword puzzle (it would have to be a really easy one).
11. Learn to speak Russian (I can say about 4 words in Russian, does that count?).
12. Keep a simple diary (my resolution last year was to write at least a sentence or two each day; did not really work out but I am willing to give it another try).
13. Make more friends at work (I like the people I work with).
14. Start a nonprofit (I really have thought about this one).
15. Watch TV free online (www.fancast.com).
16. Unscrew a bottle of wine (only if it is Riesling).
17. Slow down on spending (I am going to begin saving for a house).
18. Stow your money in a safer account (they suggest money-market accounts).
19. Study the life of Abraham Lincoln (or any other great leader).
20. Eat your own spinach (plant a vegetable garden).
21. Line dry your laundry (nope, leaves the clothes too stiff and scratchy).
22. Switch to a push mower (don't even use a riding mower).
23. Don't drive distracted (cell phones, iPods, etc.).
24. Spread tolerance (depending on what kind of tolerance we are talking about).
25. Buy laptops for children in poor countries (interesting concept but I have a lot of questions about this).
26. Try to hypermile drive (driving with properly inflated tires, staying at 55 mph, and using cruise control when possible).
27. Visit Alaska (I have always wanted to take an Alaskan cruise but I am going to start saving money so this is out of the picture, at least until next year at the earliest).
28. Give pottery a spin (would try that).
29. Listen to "Kind of Blue" (50 year old Jazz record by Miles Davis; I am not a fan of jazz).
30. Learn to play bridge (tried and did not understand it).
31. Play music video games (like Rock Band and Guitar Hero).
32. Watch "Let it Be" (a 1969 Beatles movie that is out of print and costs about $20 on Ebay and Amazon; probably will not happen).
33. Read the book first (they are usually much better than the movie).

If the success of this year is based on this list, I am not sure how great my 2009 is going to be.