Murch: I resolve to never make resolutions

So 2018 is officially in the rear view mirror and 2019 is underway, The question is, will we learn from the lessons of last year or will we find a way to repeat some of them? Let’s save that for another day and think about something else:

• Someone started the new year on the right foot by winning the $425 million Mega Millions. It’s nice to think about, but what would any of us really do with that kind of money? I know I’d split it with my siblings, give to charitable causes and help others, but, man, that’s a whole lot a green even after all the giving.
• I don’t know if it’s a cruel joke or Mother Nature’s way of showing us who’s the boss but wet, snowy, conditions on New Year’s Eve seemed a bit little like a bad Mother. I don’t go out on New Year’s Eve anymore, in part because I don’t like driving in the dark while there are (potentially drunk) revelers on the road, but Monday’s weather would have kept me from going out. I wonder how many decided to cancel their plans.
• I wonder how many people have broken their New Year’s resolution(s) already. I haven’t made any resolutions in decades, but apparently there are still something people who do because I see story after story on the internet about how to keep your resolutions. I don’t know any people who make them either so maybe there are some people who need to make a resolution … to not write about how to keep your resolution.
• Do you ever read those year’s end lists of the top stories, songs, films, etc.? I generally stay away from the top news stories, but like to check out the top lists from the entertainment world. I like to think I have a pretty good idea about music, but this year there was one list of the top 100 albums where I hadn’t heard of 85-90 acts within the top 100. I love those lists because I like to compare my thoughts. I couldn’t argue this one at all because I had no idea.
• Perhaps the list that gets read the most every year is the list of all the celebrities who died during the year. The lists are bigger every year, in part, because there are just more things that create celebrity. There are always a handful of celebrity deaths I forgot about, probably because they died early in the year, but there also are two or three who died where I missed the news.
• Speaking of lists, I saw a video the other day from this guy who listed the 100 most iconic rock songs ever. He explained that rock was much broader than what some people think it is, which I agree with, and then he started the clips and list started. I made it through number 87 when “Sweet Home Alabama” was number 92 and “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” was number 87. Sorry, when it comes to iconic songs both of those are top 20 at the worst. Sure, everyone has their own tastes, but at least acknowledge the best as the best.
• I’m already looking forward to the middle of February when pitchers and catchers report for spring training. In northern Michigan, you can’t buy into much of what Punxsutawney Phil says on Groundhog’s Day but pitchers and catchers reporting give me much more hope about spring’s arrival … even if it’s still six more seven weeks after they report.

Steve Murch is a former managing editor and award-winning columnist for The Alpena News. He’s a lifelong Michigan resident, a broken and defeated fan of the Detroit Lions and a forever optimistic fan of the Detroit Tigers. His column will appear most Thursdays.

Image credit: Boston Public Library