Yahoo Instant Messenger used to be hot. Then the bots came. Kinda like Battlestar Gallactica. Then Yahoo installed Captcha challenges at the entrance of every room. The bots left… for a while. At least they returned with a sense of decency.

Just when I was all set to blast Mike Huckabee with my Ultra-Snark 2000 for his dumb-ass pheasant hunting comments, I ran across a whole YouTube community devoted to spreading the joys of nasal irrigation. Nice! My sister has previously suggested this procedure, and NPR did a report on an aspiring opera singer who practices the treatment. I’m sure it’s poised to be the next big thing for health conscious presidents, that is when they’re not too busy shooting birds, caucasers, or foreigners with better tans.

A Wikipedia article states that Jala Neti, the ancient nasal cleansing technique is a common practice in parts of India and southeast Asia. Jalanetipot.com offers more in-depth information, including a FAQ, comparisons of pots, and related research. The procedure involves using a special container (neti pot) that looks variously like a gravy bowl, Alladin’s lamp, or a tea pot. While breathing through one’s mouth, a saline solution is poured into one nostril and allowed to drain out the other one, thereby flushing the sinuses. Sounds simple enough, but for the unimaginative I’ve embedded a demonstration by YouTuber AuroreBabore. A, she’s cute. B, there’s a very short but adorable cat chase at 2:45, bottom right frame. Enjoy!

It’s the end of another blessed year and time to plan for the up and coming one. Whether you’re a devotee of New Year’s resolutions or not, it’s hard not to reflect on the previous months with a compare and contrast mindset. Did you save more money than last year? Did you lose the weight you promised you would? Did you find the love you deserve? Did you spend more time with family and friends?

Some prefer to take the road less traveled. Others, me included, like to at least plan for construction ahead. I never believed in making resolutions until I realized they are simply the roadmaps we use to navigate life. That simple paradigm has sparked all the creative pursuits and practical goals I’ve accomplished this past year. My writing, my music, and my recent ability to consider a future beyond the weekend all began with the roadmap I set for myself this time last year.

But unlike an actual map, there’s no reconnaissance. Charting our way on this journey is done day by day, hour by hour, and sometimes minute by minute. As life cartographers, our successes and failures are the only survey we have to go by. And embracing and understanding our failures is every bit as important as celebrating success. That realization alone can make up for years of failed pep talks from experts on how to keep resolutions. The truth is simple: we each cleared some personal hurdles this year, and fell short of some others.

So stop thinking of New Year’s resolutions as goals. Instead, regard them for what they are, roadmaps that show how far you’ve come, and how much further you have to go. If you can get past the creases, you win a chance to do it again. This time, maybe you’ll do it better.

Kudos to my friends Victor Labarbera and David Wheaton of VLabar Productions for producing young rapper Tae’s BET premier of Red Monkey Jeans! There’s not much commercially pimped new rap that I find myself listening too. This song’s not likely to change that fact, although I gotta give props to a (commercial) rap artist that shuns profanity, drugs, and the whole “meat marketization” of women.

The song favors concrete imagery over abstract expressionism: Red Monkey Jeans, all white tee with them all white Nikes… You get the picture. It reminds me of country music with its earnest simplicity. And who doesn’t have a favorite pair of jeans? Admit it. This is the song you’ve dreamed about writing. The trouble is finding a phrase that rhymes with Wrangler stretch (besides “neighbors retch”) is too damn difficult. Stop hating. That’s an order.

Vic and Dave keep ‘em coming. I’m glad to see other people having fun in this crazy video production game.

Final Word Count: 8750

mood: content

Where did the time go? I somehow didn’t make it to 50K, but I’m still stoked. Work was tough enough, but I was unfortunate enough to discover there are situations that can totally take your mind off the Great American Novel you’re writing. However, my characters still call out to me to finish their story, and finish it I will. The Tipsy Teapot gang rocks! And I look forward to keeping in touch with them as I finish my book and prep for next year’s challenge. Any noteworthy news regarding said novel will undoubtedly find its way into the blog.

Meanwhile, it’s back to our regularly scheduled programming.