AJC > Sandy Springs > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USStart small on New Year resolutions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I think one reason we make resolutions at this time of year - other than the fact we hope our personal slate is wiped clean by the calendar - is we usually have the time to reflect. We think about what works in our lives and what doesn. As well as what we can do to make things better.
We just don’t know where to stop.
We set our selves up for failure by making resolutions that would do us some good - like, I will exercise more — but are impossible to keep - I will run 20 miles a day and do 8 million crunches while eating raw organic produce.
We need to start small and build from there. Nothing wrong with shooting a few fish in the barrel if it gets us moving in the right direction, eh? So with that in mind I’m making what I hope are some resolutions I will be able to keep:
When driving on Roswell Road, no matter what, both middle fingers will remain wrapped around my steering wheel.
Unless she performs a concert within the city limits of Sandy Springs, I will not devote any brain space to Britney Spears. Or any member of her family, which seems to be adding members every day.
I will no longer forward e-mails headlined “This really works!!!!” that promise some great measure of luck for passing it on to my unsuspecting friends.
I will, however, save the e-mail address of spammers and send them those “lucky” e-mails.
I will walk on a beach under a full moon with my lovely bride.
If the discussion of a tunnel under I-285 resumes I will remember those people who think it is a good idea are probably otherwise fine folks. Probably.
When Sandy Springs’ first dog park opens I will try and make sure Jake and Sydney get over there weekly for some R & R.
I will try and eat a bit more of what I should, and a bit less of what I shouldn’t.
And if I don’t get all these things done in 2008, I will try and remember there is always 2009.
Comments
By Tom Osterman (yep)
December 31, 2007 1:52 AM | Link to this
In the spirit of setting realistic goals for myself, I hereby resolve, in the coming year to:
buy no exotic two-seater, high-powered sports cars of Italian or German origin;
never set sail on a boat that I own personally;
not wait around for Ed McMahon to deliver my millions from the Publishers Clearinghouse;
refrain from casting the deciding vote in this year’s Presidential election, should the vote come an absolute tie;
refuse any and all entreaties to ghost-write Donald Trump’s autobiography; and
compete in the Marine Corps marathon.
By Tom Osterman (yep)
December 31, 2007 1:52 AM | Link to this
In the spirit of setting realistic goals for myself, I hereby resolve, in the coming year to:
buy no exotic two-seater, high-powered sports cars of Italian or German origin;
never set sail on a boat that I own personally;
not wait around for Ed McMahon to deliver my millions from the Publishers Clearinghouse;
refrain from casting the deciding vote in this year’s Presidential election, should the vote come an absolute tie;
refuse any and all entreaties to ghost-write Donald Trump’s autobiography; and
compete in the Marine Corps marathon.
By Grumpy Grammarian
January 4, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
How about this for a resolution:
Drop the grammatically incorrect phrase “try and…”; e.g. “try and make”, “try and eat”, “try and remember”…
The correct phrase is “try TO…”
Try to remember that…and Happy New Year!
By Secret ninja copy editor
January 4, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
Dear Grumpy,
Actually, you might want to resolve to think before you speak, as the phrase “try and …” does not in fact qualify as grammatically incorrect. That might (never ‘may’, only ‘might’) not seem correct from your perspective (always ‘perspective’ and never ‘prospective’), but the fact remains that it is not grammatically incorrect. Granted, it is redundant, and perhaps your way is better. But one is no more grammatically correct than the other. If you’d like, there is a wonderful book called the Associated Press Styleguide you might (see above) buy for yourself, if you are so inclined. I do wish you a happy new year (never Happy New Year unless relating specifically to the holiday rather than just a greeting of good tidings).
Sincerely,
A copy editor