Hopes for a less deadly 2017

It could probably start by having less celebrities drop off the perch. I’ve already donated to a crowdfunding campaign to protect Betty White from 2016 and I don’t have much change left over for Kirk Douglas and Doris Day.

But, like nearly everyone else, I am making some New Year’s resolutions. My main resolution is not to break my New Year’s resolutions but here’s a few others.

1 Meet my column deadline

I started off the year being very diligent about my Wednesday 5pm deadline but now I tend to stretch it out a little bit. I figure what’s an extra 48 hours between friends?

But then I get an email that starts with Claire or Chloe and I curl up under my desk in the foetal position – even though my production editors are based in Tasmania and don’t yet have the technology to reach through a computer screen and crack a ruler across my knuckles. 

2 Say “No” more

Look under “people pleaser” in the dictionary and there’s a picture of me wearing six hats and juggling 20 different tasks. So the plan of attack is to say “no” at least twice a day – except if it involves pizza or Viggo Mortenson movies. I refuse to say no to pepperoni or Aragorn.

3 Clean my car more often

It’s been exactly 12 months since I got my new car and you can count the number of times I’ve washed it on one hand. Well, actually we go to the automatic car wash and my daughter washes it while I check Facebook but I’m with her in spirit. But soon we will be a three car family and I will have to do my own dirty work – literally – so I’d better get in the foamy brush of it now.

Here’s hoping I can keep up my good intentions and may you all have a lovely 2017 – particularly our beloved remaining Golden Girl.