and through a haze of smoke from her burning hair...

i've been reading a lot of new year's posts in recent days, as you might imagine, it being new year's and all...as we saw in my facetious new year's resolutions post, i'm not really one for making real resolutions, mostly because i never keep them anyway and like christmas cards, it's just something else to feel guilty about. (aside: i don't send christmas cards and every one that i receive is like a little dagger of guilt, tho' luckily not sending any has tapered off the amount i receive over the years so it's not very much guilt these days.)

there are, however, a couple of posts that have me thinking. beth on doors are everywhere has chosen a single word that will be her mantra for the year. last year it was "see" and she became very engaged in photography. this year, her word is "focus." a single word can be powerful. the other thoughts on new year's resolutions are sunmamma's posts on her new year's intentions. i like that notion very much, to have intentions towards the new year. because the new year does seem to be a time to begin anew, the clean calendar pages stretching before you, quivering in all of their delicious potential.

when i think back to 2008, although i didn't have a specific word in mind, i think that healing and creativity were two of the big words for me. inspiration was a factor as well. at the beginning of the year, i was definitely looking to find balance again. but now, what do i want this year to be about?

ARRGH!!! I WANT 2009 TO BE ABOUT NOT SETTING MY HAIR ON FIRE!! can you believe that i just did it AGAIN! much worse this time...like long-term, absolutely ridiculous-looking damage right in the front!! i look forward to not having to heat this room with CANDLES!!! and now i have to let all of the heat out while i air out the horrible BURNED HAIR SMELL!!!  HOW CAN A PERSON WRITE A SERIOUS, THOUGHTFUL BLOG POST UNDER THESE CONDITIONS?!?!

perhaps after all of the traveling of the past couple of years, my word for this year should be home. or perhaps simplicity in light of my desire to live a less materially-obsessed life.  but frankly, what with the stench of burned hair and all, i've kinda lost the thread on this post. if any of you thinks of a word that seems like it should be my mantra for 2009, do let me know...i'm open to any helpful suggestions at this point...maybe i should just pick one of those verification words. how about gredlome or dhoolo or ungistun...hmmm, i might be onto something there...