Friday Fish Wrap: December 31. 2010

Well, we’ve finally figured out what we’re doing tonight. Better late than never. First we’re going to see The King’s Speech at the Riverside, then to La Vecchia for dinner. This gets us out of the downtown brou-ha-ha orbit in good time. Then back here to Rancho Maven for a nightcap. Or two.

“Resolutions are invariably made too soon”. Oscar Wilde

I don’t have any particular resolutions that I wish to make this year. That’s not to say there aren’t things that I want to work on - a set of priorities, if you will.

During 2011, I intend to keep working toward the following:

•       Learning to age like women in Italy, France and Spain. Gracefully, with class and dignity, yet still keeping that indefinable spark. I’ve already figured out that I no longer want to look like some desperately distressed 20 something. I don’t need ‘smokey eyes’, lashes that are stilletto’s, or hair that is some artificial shade of neon puke. Skin tight is out, as is beating my figure into submission. Timeless style that honestly suits - and honors -  my body is in. I won’t be needing tattoo’s to prove that I’m youthful.

•      Keeping a reasonable level of fitness minus two pounds. You heard that right. I’ve been coming in at 137 to 138. That’s just a tad too much. A bit of extra effort on the home treadmill, with the Pilates based strength workout should do it. For those of you with further to go, I want to mention the really wonderful success that my step-daughter and son-in-law have had with the P-90 Workout. He has dropped about 15 pounds and looks fantastic, she has lost 10 and a full pants size, and also looks amazing. They do it together, which helps with motivation. And they really love it, although they both admit it’s a tough slog at first.

•       Further developing my culinary skills is also on the calendar for 2011. In this I mean my basic skills as they relate to Old World technique. The core skills that you still find in France, Italy and Spain. So that means I’ll be taking classes where I can, and watching David Rocco and Laura Calder from the Cooking Channel on the Ti-Vo during the treadmill sessions. They’re so basic, yet produce such delicious results! So far, all of their stuff I’ve tried is spot on. I’m also watching more of the Cooking Channel shows by Giada de Laurentis. Again, the basic skill building shows are very good. I’m not going to allow any more silly diversions to exotic until I can get the basics to ‘second nature’ status.

•       Mr. Maven and I agree that taking a new look at the budget is in order. But then it always is at the New Year. Things change. Taking a look at the realities, then matching them up with priorities for the year is important.

•       Spending more time with friends is in for the new year. And playing more games. This comes under the continuing development of our social side beyond Facebook. Online socializing is certainly better than none at all, but can’t substitute for real-life friendships that need to be nourished and developed over time to be great.

•       I hope we can travel out of the country this year. 2010 was an unusual dry-spell for us in that sense. We made plans and they continually fell through due to other people not following through. I think we just need to plan something, and do it.

New word for the new year: Ovine. Related to or resembling sheep. I really like this, and am sure to have many opportunities to use it.

Finally, I’ll leave you with these wishes for you and yours through the new year:

 

 -maven