Resolutions I should have made

Here we are midway through the first quarter of 2000 and already I have broken most of my New Year's resolutions. In truth, I knew that at least some of them were destined for the scrap heap early--eating more spinach, reading more good books, fixing what's broken around the house before I start building something new in the basement--but I've always felt that the act of making the resolutions is a sign of character, something to be proud of, an exercise in goal setting that could make me a better person.

Baloney! In my more candid moments, I know better. Making resolutions makes me feel better, but that's about all. Doers, not resolvers, make the world turn.

Still, there are a few resolutions I would like to make now that the year is underway. Because they come more from the gut than the head, maybe I'll actually follow them through.

1. Scowl at the next person who tells me that violent movies, TV, and video games play no part in the culture of violence that results in school killings. Gimme a break! We don't need research studies to tell us what common sense would say: If you see enough violence and play enough computer games where the object is to kill people, you can get desensitized to it all. It's not a big leap from there to committing real violence.

2. Write a letter to Time Magazine congratulating the editors for selecting a person of science (Albert Einstein) rather than politics or entertainment as Person of the Century. There have been political heroes and artistic achievements in every century. But, what period of history has produced more technological achievements than the 20th century?

3. Add a P.S. to the above letter encouraging the editors to give credit to the engineers who develop the hardware that makes scientific discovery possible.

4. Watch more pro wrestling and less NFL football. I get less upset watching the wrestling.

5. Tune out people who insist the new millennium really starts next year. They've got a point, but who cares?

6. Do all my measuring in metric. Maybe NASA will follow suit.

7. Refuse to make any resolutions for 2001.

8. Admit I can't comply with number 7.