Walking back through a year of memories
Published 6:00 am Sunday, December 30, 2012
Some random thoughts as the calendar prepares to turn from 2012 to 2013 …
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. Like many people, I think mine could more likely be referred to as “intentions.”
Resolution has a serious tone to it. I may actually worry a bit about not keeping one of those.
I often intend to do a lot of things and never get around to them. Of course, that can have consequences, too, but so be it.
One intention, familiar to many, that I actually acted upon a bit earlier this year was to try to get in a little better shape. My efforts didn’t last long, though.
I had even gone so far as to get a pair of those Skele-toes shoes for walking. They were pretty comfortable, but my small toes didn’t fit in the shoes exactly like they were supposed to.
I got into a pretty good routine of walking around my neighborhood, increasing the distance each time, several times a week. To help me, I downloaded a pedometer app for my phone.
Then it came time for “fall back” and it was dark by the time I got home from work. So much for the walking … until maybe next year.
We’ll see how it looks when the “spring forward” time rolls around and there’s still daylight in the evening. I may put walking back on my intentions list.
Since I’m not walking anymore, I’m spending more time in front of the television. I know I’m not alone in this condition.
Since we’re talking about walking, there is another kind of walking I am eagerly looking forward to in the new year. That is the resumption of the third season of “The Walking Dead” in February on AMC.
Until I was introduced to the show, I never really cared for anything zombie-related. I found most attempts at entertainment rather campy and silly.
The storylines and the acting in “The Walking Dead,” however, are captivating, even if the “ewww” factor is bit high. I really think it’s one of the best shows on television.
“Leverage,” another show I bestowed that praise on a while ago, ended on Christmas night after five seasons.
I hate to see the TNT series about a bunch of bad guys going around doing good deeds for downtrodden go. However, as big a fan as I am, I have to admit it had begun to lose a little steam lately.
While we’re on the topic of losing steam, after years of faithful viewing, one show I say I don’t plan to watch in the new year is “American Idol.”
The merry-go-round of judges this year has brought in country music’s Keith Urban, pop diva Mariah Carey and Nikki Minaj, from whatever genre you call her music. And Randy Jackson’s back, but he ceased being relevant a couple of seasons ago.
I have no use for Minaj, can barely tolerate Carey on good days, and looking at Urban makes me think he needs to go back to the shower.
In other words, nothing to see (or hear) here, folks, move along. I say all that now, but my intention to not watch the show may change and I could find myself engrossed once again.
Looking back on 2012, I have to say sports – both real and fantasy – offered their share of interest and excitement for me.
On the real side, my University of Louisiana Warhawks did indeed reach their first college football bowl game. It turns out their first trip to a bowl game would be mine as well.
My college roommate and I were headed to Shreveport Friday to see ULM face Ohio in the Independence Bowl. Obviously, as I write, I don’t know how the game will turn out, but here’s hoping we won.
On the fantasy side, I won my fantasy football league this year. It was a welcome change after the fantasy baseball season in which I failed to make the playoffs for the first time in a couple of years.
Two sentences on fantasy sports is about my limit, lest I break the first unwritten rule of fantasy sports: Nobody cares about your fantasy team except for you.
Anyway, back in the real world, I hope your 2012 was a good one and that you will be able to keep all your resolutions – or merely intentions – in 2013. Happy New Year.
That’s all for now.
Write to Managing Editor Matthew Coleman at P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven MS 39602, or send e-mail to mcoleman@dailyleader.com.