The Resolution You Didn't Need to Make + GIVEAWAY!

GPOK (Gratuitous Picture of Kitten)

Hey there, amazing dudes! Holy cats almighty, I cannot articulate how good it feels to be climbing back on top of things after the wackiness that was applying to college. Instead, I'll let some GIFs do the job: it feels a little like this. And this. And this.

Now, I know something happened during the wackiness... oh, yeah, THE YEAR CHANGED. I'd like to give a warm (if somewhat belated) welcome to the new year on the block, 2011! Actually, I wonder if it would be possible to really give 2011 a warm welcome... oh, hell, let's go for it. Come on in, 2K Double-1!

[Massive applause]
2011: Thanks, everyone, I really appreciate it.
PWK: So, 2011, how does it feel to be smashed between the decade-beginning 2010 and the famously apocalyptic 2012, effectively losing your own identity in the process?
2011: Well, uh... I don't exactly -
PWK: Don't answer that. What everybody really wants to know is: what are going to bring for us this year? Success? Joy? Doom? Relative mediocrity?
2011: I think that depends on the person and what they're determined to ach-
PWK: I disagree.
2011: You - what?
PWK: I think you are going to absolutely fantastic no matter what.
2011: Well, thanks, but -
PWK: And that's all the time we have! Thanks, 2011, and seriously - you're gonna be great!
2011: But I -
[Curtains close]

Wow! Quite an interesting interview, right there. In retrospect, 2011 may have had some points. What a year brings depends on what the person experiencing it is determined to achieve. That's why we have New Year's resolutions - to set the course for the coming twelve months.

Of course, when you're in the business of making resolutions, it's easy to get wrapped up in the things you lack, underperform at, and/or need to fix. In other words, you start the year off with a sense of previous failure layered beneath that sense of hope.

That's not necessarily a bad thing - in fact, it's a motivator. But I'd love to take a moment to remind everyone of the great things that have already been done. The key idea being: you have the power and the will to make even more greatness happen. So here's my question for you:

What's a resolution you didn't need to make this year?

In my case, although at the start of 2010 I was floundering re: how to buckle down and finish Autochromatic, by December I realized I'd learned how to sit myself down - and get stuff done. As 2011 begins, I know work-evading in writing will no longer be a (major) issue for me. Wh00t! I can now look at that achievement as proof that my 2011 goals won't be impossible.

Speaking of possibly wh00t-worthy things... how do y'all feel about a Hello 2011 Giveaway?

Let's do it. A $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble or BN.com - that's what goes to the winner! Leave a comment (e.g. your unneeded resolution) and you're officially entered to win (international is AOK). Extra entries apply, too: get +1 for Tweeting or blogging this baby and +1 for following PWK or being a follower. Contest ends at midnight on January 11th. Here's an easy Tweet format, if you'd like to use it:

A $25 B&N gift card is up for grabs over at @EmiliaPlater's Hello 2011 Giveaway! Comment to win: http://dft.ba/-pwk2011

With that, I hope you all have an absolutely fabulous beginning to this potentially fabulous new year. Here's to good friends, good times... and kittens! (Just thought I'd throw some kittens in there for health purposes.) YAY!