2012

Its not fair to place so much pressure on a year. Especially one that has so much riding against it. 2012 is the underdog; the year thats supposed to blow up before it gets to the ending.  As such, I decided a while ago to simply let this year be without adding any of my own demands to it.

The things that could be called 'resolutions' are things I started way back in August when I returned to the United States and I'm proud to say I've made a lot of progress.

* Upon returning, I decided to not buy a cell phone. When I tell people that I switched back to a landline they all ask the same question: "What about emergencies?" The faith people have in cell phones to solve all of life's major emergencies is astounding. The only thing I could realistically think of when debating the pros and cons of owning a cell phone was that I would have nothing to do on 15 minute breaks at work. If I have to choose between staring at the wall for 15 minutes every shift or paying 59.99 a month to pretend like I'm doing something, I'm going to go with the option that costs me nothing.

*I deleted my facebook. This was harder than the phone thing, and it really pains me to admit that. It all started when other sites (photobucket etc.) began asking me if I wanted to login using my facebook info. This really bothered me for some reason.When did facebook become so pervasive? How can something I barely care about, take up so much of my valuable time, giving little to nothing in return? On a deeper level I felt that constantly checking facebook was symptomatic of a larger issue, a constant reminder that I was leaving something important behind, and being given a counterfeit substitute in return. I began to think back to all the novels I read in Jr. High, novels like 1984, Island and other sci fi classics. I asked myself what had changed about me between then and now and the answer really depressed me. When I was younger I had hobbies, ideas... interests. Where did that person go?

* I started a compost. There is something magical about putting scraps and undesirables in a bin and then turning it into food for plants. I love the smell of the decomposing leaves. I love saving egg shells, coffee filters and orange rinds. I love watching it all turn back into something important, and I love that I was part of that.

* I signed up to volunteer at the public library. Wherever I go I always find myself back at the library. The older I get, the more important it is to me that places like this are preserved.  I feel like we are getting to a place as a society where the concept of a public library simply won't fit anymore. I'd like to do all I can to make sure they stick around as long as possible.

In 2012 I plan to unplug even further, checking my email only a few times a week rather than every day (something my current job makes very difficult). I've got ambitious plans for a vegetable patch and simpler living in general.

What are your plans for the new year?