Resolutions fail without fail
Another year behind us. Another one here.
“You’re flying to Santa Fe? You know people there? Have family there?”
Yes, no, and no. But I read a lot about Southwest history, the city looked interesting, so off we went for Christmas break. Four carry-ons, all the jackets, the double Bob stroller, two lovies, and one pair of Wolverine boots.
What a trip. We went from the hot springs to the snow in one day. Then hit Meow Wolf and lost our minds in that place that’s basically an Alice in Wonderland treehouse on acid. So many people poured their hearts into making something special for people. It’s impressive that anyone makes anything worthwhile - but the Wolf is on another level.
We went hiking at the Audubon Center (that’s birdwatching, but you knew that) and helped our two little ones construct a shelter for rabbits and birds. It was done Lincoln log style, without permits, wide and tall enough for both our kids to stand in.
Traveling with kids gets easier and simpler the more times we do it. As our mileage radius expands, so does our kids' patience and interest in what’s around them. And all that bonding time works magi
They’re forced to rely on each other, like strangers visiting a foreign land. It’s no different than us adults backpacking through Vietnam back in the day. By virtue of necessity, you step up and support each other. You ask for directions, you find the next bus, you check if that restaurant serves dog.
They’ve also started to park us. They burst through the door, howl like coyotes and hurl pillows. Then scamper away like raccoons under the light. Until they start breaking furniture, I encourage them as much as I can.
Other highlights of the trip: trekking across town for hot chocolate, which got them hyped up on caffeine at 8 pm (bad idea); walking through the artist colony lit up by faralitos (good idea); going to a classic New Mexican diner for chilaquiles (great idea); skipping the first week of the LA winter storm and returning home before the next one (lucky break).
Along with a pure silver ring made by a Navajo jeweler, I also picked up the flu variant on the way home and was KO’d for a few days. I missed all the New Year's parties, which I’ve never been one to celebrate big anyway. Too many expectations that things will be different this year. Last year sucked - but hey - this one will be bigger, better, more of everything you’ve worked to manifest. It’s going to happen! Ok. I’ll believe it when I see it.
Don’t know where you stand on resolutions, but for me, those usually fail without fail. It’s almost like the very setting of goals hijacks how I’ll actually achieve them. Whenever I focus too much on the outcome, I end up losing focus on the process. I’m trying to change that this year. To be more consistent and work on a schedule, even though parenting consistently throws everything off course.
But perhaps there is a way - to do my morning pages, to build my portfolio, to book more freelance jobs, to write more posts here, and somehow keep training at the gym, eat healthy, and be a dependable husband, father, son, brother, mentor, preschool Shabbat band member, climber, cyclist, friend, editor, and creative.
If I can keep the train running and working on time, maybe the results will take care of themselves. I’m willing to give it a try.
But holy hell that’s a lot of hats. Damn.
I should’ve bought a few more in Santa Fe.