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Show Moab Happenings January 1998 It's that time of year again when we resolve to lose weight, work out more, eat less junkfood, spend less money, take yoga, and generally become better people than we were the year before. Most of us can always find a way to be better citizens, husbands, wives, daughters, sons, friends, bosses.. .better human beings, period. Its a tough job but if we don t try, the alternative is grim. So, get out your pencil and paper and start making promises. This month column will perhaps provide a little inspiration. Moab Resolves by Janet Lowe (well, sort of) Mike Shannon was one of the uncooperative, so holding true to my promise, he resolves to cook dinner every night for a month, wash the mirrors at the fitness center, and take donuts to work every Monday morning. Alan West, steering clear of politics, policy or anything the least bit controversial played it safe and stayed in the garden for his resolution: I resolve to be more diligent in tying up my tomatoes this year so I dont I have to crawl around under the vines and come out smelling like.. ..you know, that fuzzy, green tomato smell? Making resolutions is an a act. statement of Its optimistic faith. Faith that we murderously imperfect human beings can change, or can make the world a better place. It expresses faith that the world will still be here and that we will still be breathing and walking among the rocks and trees. It is reassuring to know, then, that most people do make resolutions. Reassuring because it demonstrates we are a faithful people, and reassuring because the act of making resolutions re- Zina Browns resolution is one we can all 21 's Diane Fouts resolves to make home more homey and to make it look more like an artist lives there. (No problem, an artist does live there!) Michelle Jones resolves to be more open to moments of joy. (She edited this a couple of times and then crossed the whole thing out and left town, but I published it anyway.) Dirk Vaughan resolves to spend more nights outdoors. Thats how I gauge a successful year when Ive spent more years outside than the previous year. (Another one we could all benefit from considering where we live.) Staying outdoors with Bego, he resolves to average just of rock climbing a day. (No way, Bego!) 10 learn from; To have no e x pec t Lola McElhaney vowed, enough at a party, to have more fun no matter what I do. quires some amount of and analysis. Thats a good thing, especially when it can inspire change. So, the last week or so before Christmas, I roamed Moabs streets looking for unsuspecting victims from whom I could wrench 1998 New Years resolutions. Some were lucky and escaped my eye and grip; the less fortunate were held captive until they made a resolution. There is a group more luckless, however, and they are those who refused to cooperate. I told them Id make something up. Interesting during my research I found that everyone could think of a resolution for someone else. ..someone they loved or worked for. Thats probably the list I should have published. Instead, some very brave souls donated their New Years resolution for my column. I am grateful to every one of these fellow optimists. It only seems right that our new leader should knock the gavel to begin the resolutions. Moabs new mayor, Karla Hancock, resolves to build a better relationship between city residents and the Moab city government. Actually, I think mayors have to make resolutions all the time, so Karla, sharpen your pencil and get out your Thesaurus. Leapfrogging to Center Street, Sydney Frances, of Timeless Toys resolves to put down the Rubics cube (no, not really) and to constructively and positively use the hard learnedhard earned lessons and anxieties of 1997. Good attitude, Sydney, after the kind of year you had. What Center Street business owner would resolve to be less like a weenie and more like a buff dog? You guessed it. Russ Goodwin, weenie man extraordinaire and proprietorcookhead bottlewasher of Desert Dogs. Lola and Andy Netted were on the same wavelength. Andy, wig- gling happily to B.B. King behind the counler at Music of Moab says: You know, I wish everyone would be just a little bit more silly, have a little more fun and be a little less serious. You can be serious when youre dead! Throwing in another vote for happier life, Eve Passeltiner resolved "to have more fun, gosh darn it! And to learn how to snow-shoski, wear all my wigs, to dance more at outrageous parties. cross-countr- y e, That motor mouth, Rick Wheeler resolves to say less (is that possible!) and listen more. The world needs more good listeners. And, oh yeah, travel more. More happy feet are found in Dori Bozungs resolution: Im going to dance more. Steve Russell resolves to announce his candidacy for the governor of Utah within a week of the new year. (Is this a scoop, Steve? If so, Ill ask my publishers for a raise.) Joette Langianese resolves to not become involved in Utah politics. (Uh, Joette.. .did you read Steves resolution?) Earl Sires, county administrator, resolves to be younger at the end of the year than he was at the beginning. (You know, I think thats possible, Earl, I really do!) Bob Dudek hereby resolves to quit seeking resolution. (Easier said than done, Dudek.) Donna Metzler, our city manager, organized and efficient as always, already had her new year resolution committed to memory (and heart and soul, I think): I resolve to keep a positive attitude and speak well of other people. Another blanket resolution for the human race, Id say. My own resolutions? Usually this is something I decide on New Years Eve sitting on the sofa in my jammies with a journal and pen in hand, but since I forced everyone else to think about it before Christmas, its only fair I do it, too. Foremost on my mind is that I resolve not to remodel any part of my house for at least 6 months, maybe a year. No more tiling, no more molding, no more sheet rock, no more caulk. No more! Whew, got that off my chest. I resolve to write at least one new poem every week for a full year. In fact, writing, writing, writing, thats my resolution. I also resolve to go out more, but thats kind of antithetical to writing more. Hmmmm. I resolve to achieve balance in my life. Collectively, I would like Moab to resolve to be. ..to quote a certain former president a kinder, gentler place. Remember that our goal as human beings is to do no harm to one another. The best case scenario is to make life easier for one another, but at the very, very least, dont make it any harder. Remember the good times and only remember the bad times insofar as it helps you stabilize the boat that takes you on down the river. Happy New Year and thanks to everybody who helped me fill this page. HAPPY new YEAR Jack Kleinke resolves to spend more time with his son. (Do it. Jack. They grow up fast!) ul Howard Trenholme of Red Rock Baking company isnt exactly optimistic: Not to break any bones snowboarding. (Ditto that for my son, Howard) Jason Parriott wants to spend more time with his family, which means adding a groovy new stylist to his salon. Anybody out there? (Or, alternatively, Jason wanted to restructure citycounty government. What do you think? Should SCENIC HELD COPTER TOURS ,3 is sun-s- ee with Geo-Sei- s Helicopters, Inc. For Reservations call: Jason do hair or politics?) Rose Fryer, who was hauling heavy china cabinets out of Second Chances when I accosted her and is moving her second-han- d store across town, resolves to have a real moving experience this year. Scott Mallon resolves to stop smoking, start exercising, relax more, begin planning for retirement and to shave his goatee. 259-396- 6 www.moabutah.comhelisee CanyonlandsAirport |