New Year's Eve is a holiday for the young, although even when I was young, I can't really recall many memorable times I had. The last New Year's I remember standing out was 1987, when I left Sioux Falls, S.D., in a morning when the wind-chill factor was nearly 50 below zero. I had been there for four days covering a college basketball tournament -- my only time ever in the Dakotas -- and I was leaving for two weeks of vacation at home in Virginia.

[caption id="attachment_1883" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Not mine, but same model same color."]<a href="http://mikerappaport.net/onevoice/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/1987_pontiac_fiero_base-pic-12558.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1883" title="1987_pontiac_fiero_base-pic-12558" src="http://mikerappaport.net/onevoice/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/1987_pontiac_fiero_base-pic-12558-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

I had it figured as a 2-3 day drive in my two-seat Pontiac Fiero -- the only new car I ever bought for myself -- but I wanted to get as far as I could the first day. When 1987 turned to 1988, I was circling Indianapolis on I-465 and looking for a motel to get some sleep.

I loved that car and I drove it till an 18-wheeler crushed it in December 1990 on I-5 in Los Angeles. But I never put as many miles on it as quickly as Colorado to South Dakota to Virginia and back to Colorado that winter. Nearly 4,000 miles in a little more than two weeks.

Anyway, I digress. I think the last date I had on a New Year's Eve was in 1981, the second of two New Year's dates with the lovely Lisa McGrady.

Tonight is the 21st New Year's Eve of my second marriage, and there haven't been more than a couple when Nicole and I were even awake when 11:59 p.m. became midnight. The only reason I'm still up with 90 minutes or so to go is that I really wanted to be productive and put down some resolutions for 2013.

I don't usually do resolutions. I know how easy it is to break them, but 2012 has been a disappointing year in many ways and I want to go on record that 2013 will be better.

So, a few resolutions:

1. BE NICER -- The best compliment I ever heard about anyone was when my son's freshman roommate in college said to me, "Virgile is the nicest person I have ever known in my life." Nobody's ever going to say that about me, but I have a very fragile wife who I love with all my heart. I want to be gentler -- and nicer -- this year.

[caption id="attachment_1884" align="alignright" width="300" caption="2013 is here."]<a href="http://mikerappaport.net/onevoice/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/FireworksLondonEye2013_200.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1884" title="FireworksLondonEye2013_200" src="http://mikerappaport.net/onevoice/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/FireworksLondonEye2013_200-300x155.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="155" /></a>[/caption]

2. GET HEALTHY AGAIN -- I established wonderful habits for myself in 2010. I've got to get them back. Eat right and exercise. Every day.

3. GET PURPOSEFUL AGAIN -- I need to finish my book. That means writing at least a little bit every day. No more screwing around.

4. RIDE MY BIKE -- Part of the exercise thing, and I have to learn a whole new way of riding to do it, but I bought myself a thousand-dollar road bike and it's time to hit the road.

5. BE THOUGHTFUL, NOT THOUGHTLESS -- Don't take anybody for granted.

6. DON'T PROCRASTINATE -- Just because we have two phone lines, it doesn't mean I should ignore the one that isn't working. Call and get it fixed.

7. FOLLOW THE RULES -- Love God, let go of regrets and treat other people the way I would want them to treat me. Three rules for a great life.

So, I guess I'll file this and ...

Oh Lord, here comes 2013!

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