Russ Grimm

Happy New Year! Before I state my New Year’s resolution for 2015, I wanted to share my progress concerning last year’s goals. You might remember that I had two resolutions for 2014. The first was the desire for more mobility in my arms and legs. I developed a regiment of exercises that would give me more flexibility. Unfortunately I have come to realize what I already knew: that a plan does not automatically make it happen. It’s the follow through and that was the part that was severely lacking in my attempt (notice my singular word) to increase my flexibility. So this is going to be a resolution in progress, I’m not giving up. I am sure I can find yoga on Netflix. I need some discipline.

My second resolution for 2014 was to stop sharing with friends, family and strangers information about the weather. Having success with this resolution was going to be tough because of my environmental predisposition and overall lack of self control to stop talking mostly about cold, snow, rain and oh, an occasional explanation about the wind speed. God, even the resolution sounds boring. Well, shortly after stating this resolution I realized I needed to make an adaptation. I would talk about the weather only if someone else first initiated the subject, after all I wanted to be social, carry on a conversation, be polite. The year began with diner parties with friends, planning family gatherings and verbal contact with others but this was not producing weather conversations. Concerned about needing a weather fix, I began imagining myself hanging out, lurking outside local radio and television stations waiting, hoping by chance I would meet a weatherman. Someone I could legitimately discuss the weather with impunity. After all, this would certainly fall within the confines of my resolution. Fantasy aside, I was beginning to lose my grip on my determination to uphold this resolution and then it happened, the mother of all winters. Everywhere I looked there was disgust on people’s faces, and anger and frustration coming from their voices. People without coaxing, went on and on about the winter weather. Cold, subzero cold, snow, so much snow and bitter conversation after conversation. Records broken everywhere. I swear it went until May! Gleefully I listened and then I responded with my rant. I just had to get it off my chest, it’s not good to keep things bottled up. Right? Mother Nature bailed me out last year. Can I do it on my own this year?

I have decided that one resolution each year is plenty, as two is just way to ambitious for me to attack. My New Year’s resolution for 2015: I will not provide to others, unsolicited information that is not necessary for that person to successfully provide a service or function. In other words I am not going to waste someone’s time. For example, when I am at a restaurant and the waitress or waiter asks, “What would you like to drink?” I have caught myself saying, “I’d like a soft drink. What do you have without caffeine? Caffeine keeps me awake at night” That last part, “Caffeine keeps me awake at night,” who cares? Why should anyone care? Stop it Russ! They don’t want my eating, drinking or sleeping history. They want to serve me efficiently and move on to their next customer. I am forcing them, it must seem, to put up with this nonsensical information so that they can receive a reasonable tip. That’s not my motive and I am not in need of having someone just to talk to. It’s just a habit and it fuels the speculation that I’m just an old guy losing it. “It” being the ability to conduct oneself in a lucid manner. I need to stay on topic, “No ice. Do you have free refills? I feel confident that I will be successful with this resolution. It’s all about self awareness and self control. No outside forces like the weather or yoga to get in my way.