Normally, people talk about New Year’s Resolutions in December and early January, then within a week or two (or three, if you’re really dedicated) those vows to cut down on the drinking, stop smoking, diet and exercise have petered out to a little more than nothing and a wry “oh well, next year – pass me the scotch and another cigarette and while you’re at it, another serve of cream buns and hot chips all ’round”.

And by people… I include ME. Yes. I, Harriet Archer, am a fine beginner of things and starter of great plans. This blog of mine is a fine example. It was started as a writing exercise, for me to put paws to keyboard and practice doing something that I enjoy (that’s the writing bit) and also challenge myself by deliberately writing for an audience. However, life got in the way, and what was supposed to be a twice a month, minimum 500 word piece on whatever takes my fancy has turned into a “My goodness, that would be an awesome thing to write about – oh, going away for the weekend? Ok, let’s have fun instead!” Not that this isn’t fun, per se… I do enjoy it – and I get a thrill when I see that Other People (that would be YOU, Gentle Reader) have been reading what I write. Or accidentally landing here from somewhere else and whizzing off just as quickly as you arrived (which you could be doing for all I know – but you’ve been here and I can but assume you’ve had a poke around for a bit).

Which brings me back more or less to what I was thinking about when I started to write this little number half an hour or so ago (yes, it’s taken me THAT long to write THIS much. I was also Doctor Mum in that time… icepack and chocolate administered and all is good. Ok, it’s no wonder I never get anything written, is it??) I started thinking about the single, solitary Resolution I made this year, and realised that I have stuck to it for a MONTH. It’s not a very big resolution – but at the same time, it is.

I have decided that 2011 is the Year Of Building Fornicating Bridges.

Before I left the Hellhole that was my previous employment, I have to say I tended more toward the bitter and cynical end of the spectrum. That I had a rather pessimistic outlook toward – well, just about EVERYTHING, I think. And everyone shit me. Most of the time, too… This is not a pleasant state of mind to be in. Over the last couple of years, though, I have noticed a gradual softening of my outlook and my goodness, a tendency to be affected emotionally by SAD things instead of “Whatevs, suckers. Next.” I am still capable of the Bitter and the Cynical, and things still shit me – for example, if that jug-eared grinning loon who does nothing but spit bile and venom and still hasn’t got over the fact that the only person who wanted to play with him was the completely bollocking MAD one does not sit down and SHUT UP and realise that being the Leader of the Opposition doesn’t mean he has to OPPOSE everything, I will possibly throw a brick through the telly. (Longest run on sentence ever!) However, the Bloke of the House possibly won’t mind as he would like a Really Giant Telly!

Anyway, back on track…

(Did I mention I have the attention span of a… LOOK, shiny!)

Fornicating Bridges.

This is not the building of bridges for the fornication purposes. It is more about the getting over myself and being the “better” person. After all, one can only hold a grudge for so long… and if I can laugh about it now, it’s time to let go. There are people in my life who I am stuck with for whatever reason – at the end of the day, I have two choices. Stab them, or build myself a fornicating bridge and get myself the hell over it.

Tally as at the end of January, 2011:

Corpses: Nil

Bridges under construction: At least three.

Doing alright in the Resolution stakes, I am.