I’m a list guy, a tried and true Virgo, and this means I love resolutions.

I wouldn’t mind if we came up with quarterly resolutions or if it was in vogue to establish New Month’s Resolutions. However, I’ve been on this planet 38 years and a few months, and I know full well that resolutions are nothing more than empty statements without determination and discipline.

Nevertheless, I have some for 2009.

1. First and foremost, I’d like to get rid of cable television in 2009. As soon as I can figure out the whole DTV box thing, I plan to drop my cable subscription like a bad habit.

Oh, I still watch some TV, but it’s almost all sports or available online somewhere (including the sports). Three years ago, I eliminated a land line from my monthly expenses, and the next step in my digital evolution is to end my love affair with cable. Truth is, we’re like an old couple, never talking to each other.

She sleeps in one room and I in another.

2. Second, on the songwriting front, I’d like to enter at least five contests this year. I haven’t entered a songwriting contest in two years, and I’d like to focus on Oklahoma events.

3. Third, I want to commit daily to eight hours of sleep. How, you ask? Better organization and discipline. Sleep should be a bigger priority for me.

4. On the weight front, I am about the same poundage at the end of 2008 that I was in 2007, which can be construed as good news. At least I didn’t chub up any! Truth is, I’m doing the right things right now: a) No fast food, b) Working out darn near daily, c) cooking at home, d) counting calories.

It’s time to step it up.

Those are my outward-facing priorities for the new year. I have some inward-facing priorities, but they’re mostly self-improvement plans that would help me with 2 through 4 above.

While 2008 was historic for many reasons, I also found it to be terribly polarizing, on many fronts. There really is no true progressive movement anymore. For the record, progressive does NOT equal liberal. There is nothing progressive about modern liberalism.

The reason I mention all that is that I am hoping 2009 to be a year devoid of politics. Devoid. Don’t care. I’m not voting on anything for any reason in 2009. Don’t ask.

Well, except for perhaps American Idol or So You Think You Can Dance. Dang it; I’ll need to keep my cable for a few more weeks …

A happy and prosperous 2009 to you and yours!