Resolutions 2026

 

"Don't stop thinking about tomorrow..." Big Mac

I really do believe in the power of making resolutions at the start of a new year, which is why I always take a look at what I set out to do the year before, see what I accomplished, and then, revise and surprise. With that said, here are my personal resolutions for the year ahead.

[NOTE: You don't need to read it, I just like to post it so I put things out there. You'll note, I also have some (what I call) hedonistic goals for the year ahead. The term just makes me smile. I like hedonism.]

HOUSEHOLD

--Get even smarter about the finances. We actually did pretty well this past year with budgeting, although it did get tight in spots. One of things that helped, and gave me a lot of stress relief, was reaching 59 ½. It also gave me hope for this year, which will be a transition year, as I do look to fulfil my plan to only do things I am passionate about at 60.

--Move even deeper with Corb’s business. Corb’s lighting work continued to grow in 2025 and may get even bigger in the new year. We are discussing many next steps and one of the best parts of 2024 and 2025 involved the business trips we took across America to find things. One of things I want to do is really structure Corb’s inventory the way I handle my book inventory and bill pay, which I have down to a science.

--A Greener Green Victoria: There are a few projects here we really need to address, involving the sewer, the heating, the side shed, and organizing the office and basement better. With free time opened up, I think we can really maximize our favorite space better.

ARTISTIC

--Making the great artistic escape. With the group solidly back in Wheaton, last year was all about getting creative new directors involved with the group and transitioning the work to others. That worked incredibly well, and 2026 has already been put in place on this front—so much so that I have planned to travel to Europe in June, right as the show is going up! I am completely confident that the team is fully capably and no one will miss me or Corb while we are away. Because, planning (and the amazing work of a few folks on the board, frankly, who have made such a big impact)

--Finding new creative endeavors. Stepping away in so many aspects of my life will also allow me, time permitting, to look for other creative opportunities, either in theater or in writing. I am kind of leaning back toward writing. It’s been a while since I’ve done something in that regard.

--Get that journal in one place. I know one thing I want to do is get my journal in one location, for posterity. I have been journaling since I was 14 years old and it would be nice to have everything accessible, no matter what the decade. I also would like to get around to writing that Gay Love Letters play that Josie and I have always been talking about.

HEALTH

--Lose weight. In 2022 I went from 210 to 192, but now I am back to slightly below 210 by year end, and I don’t love that. I have been meeting with a nutritionist and also met with a doctor at the Fido facility, who put me on Contrave, but I tried it and I am going to stop and consult before I proceed forward. Here’s why: my bp was inching slightly higher toward the end of the year, so my dr increased by Losartan from 50 to 100 mg. When I picked up the Contrave it said that it would interact with the Losartan, and when I looked that up it said that it could drive down by BP, which, sounds good, right? I don’t know…I was fine with the slight insomnia the first few nights, but I took my evening meds right before the party last night and it was amazing to me that none of the food looking appetizing at all. But then I started feeling really dizzy and had to sit down for a bit on the couch, which I didn’t love. Corb told me to eat, which I did, but all the food tasted kind of chalky and unappetizing. After that, I was fine, but I do feel my anxiety levels are a bit elevated, so I just want to hit pause and talk to the doctors before committing to increases the doses. I want to be smart about this. I know much of this is in my head (That is what Corb always says), but it’s the only head I have, so I have to work around it.

--Step up. My norm for steps has been 7500…want to increase that to 8K.

--Continue to eat healthier. I haven’t really had red meat since June 2022 and rarely eat anything fried, and I want to keep that up. As I always say, moderation is key.

HEDONISM

--All about the travel:

a. 2025 was about finishing up completing our map of the Caribbean, with Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, and the Dominican Republic crossed off the list. So, all the major spots now have been covered after nine fun years. This year, as mentioned, we head off for Paris for a few days, then take a high speed rail to Barcelona, where will we go on a cruise (the ship is one of the first ones we went on, back in 2017, and we truly loved it) that will, bring us to Palma de Mallorca, Florence, Rome and Naples before returning home. That’s a lot of bucket lists crossed off.

b. Also, I want to explore the US (and maybe Canada) more. 2025 was all about exploring New England (really, every state), so we want to expand our horizons this year to go farther and see more.

--Dining: One new restaurant to experience a month. One new martini each week. I like this part of my life.

--Adventure: New places to see, at least one a month. Including different theater experiences. And antique stores!

--Get by with the help of my friends: I truly do believe that certain people are put in your life for a reason and our entire life is spent orbiting around these souls, finding interactions and connection points, and attempting to strengthen or improve these bonds (not to get too deep, some of which span the centuries). Some interactions aren’t meant to be like that, and that’s okay. Separate and use your energy for what you were meant to use it on. And I still keep in the back of my head an adage I coined a few years ago: "you deserve better than transactional relationships in your life." It still holds true to this day.

That's all, I think. 2026, here we come!