Simple Pleasures

I celebrated my 43rd birthday today. I'm not too crazy about being another year older, but I love the day of my birth. I've always believe that this was the one day of year that was mine alone. It's a day to do whatever I want, whenever I want. It's a day to celebrate me.

I spent my birthday in a very lazy fashion. I read a little of Barack Obama's "Dreams From My Father". I opened presents from friends. I spent some time working on my family tree. I had a visit from my Mother and Sister who brought my favorite treat--chow mein. I then indulged in the chow mein for lunch and dinner. I took phone calls from family and friends wishing me happy birthday. I played all my online greetings. I spent the evening watching Jane Eyre on Masterpiece Theatre.

In between my activities, I spent a little time reflecting. I hold the belief that my birthday is the true start of my new year. All things are possible on a birthday. And so, I made a list of some projects I'd like to complete this year and got a sense of where I'd like the year to go.

Do you have a birthday ritual? Do you spend the day in celebration of yourself or do you ignore it until it's over?

This time of year people are throwing around New Year's Resolution like crazy. Most of the resolutions will never be met. Oh, you might start will the best of intentions, but sooner or later you forget that you ever made them. Then on December 31st, you resolve to do the same things all over again.

I thought it would be fun to make resolutions that I would actually be able to achieve. Simple resolutions that in and over themselves are not so difficult. They are things are I can do every day without much effort.

Would you like to join me in making some smaller than life resolutions? Let's start...

I resolve to...
1. Take three breaths in a row througout the day.
2. To eat less sugar.
3. To listen to music every day.
4. To pet my dog to ease her arthritis.
5. To read every day.
6. To write in one of my blogs daily, 5 days a week.
7. To write in all my blogs once a week.
8. To have an IM conversation with a friend every week.
9. To smile every morning when I get up even if I don't feel like it.
10.Go outside for fresh air once every day even if it's only for a minute.

Well, that's my resolution list. None of what I wrote seems pretty difficult. I just need to remember them and do them.

What did you come up with?

I was outside yesterday about 4pm. The sky had that hazy, faded look of winter. The sun was enshrouded in cloud cover.

Low in the sky just rising was the moon. The full moon appeared to be balancing on the houses atop the hillside. Clouds swam across it, obscuring it. Then it would reappear.

I hope to go out at the same time this afternoon...wish I had a really good camera because it was an amazing view.

One of the joys of New Years Day is the Tournament of Roses Parade. A million people or more get up early just to stand on the street to see those magnificent floats go by. Aren't we lucky we got to see if from our warm, cozy living rooms?

I watched about a half hour of the parade. Every year I am in awe of how much work must go into each presentation-- from planning to driving the float. I can't imagine the hours spent arranging each flower, making sure the animated parts of the float work, and making sure it all gets together on time.

The floats were truly inspired. There were the Star Wars themed floats in honor of George Lucas. Their was the animation winner--a huge movie frog. There was the Dino Rock Band...and many more. I wonder how they get their ideas?

You can see more of Pasadena's legendary parade at the Tournament of Roses website.