New Year's Resolutions

I know I've been an intermittent blogger since April 2010 when I received my cancer diagnosis. In that time I've gone through chemotherapy, surgery, and physical rehabilitation--and lots of time in doctor's offices (and lots more time in waiting rooms).

In two weeks I will be back in the classroom teaching, and I'm excited about being back on campus and getting back into a routine. I'm also determined to get back on a work schedule--which includes more regular blogging in this space. Because I have things to say, observations to make, conversations I hope to have in the comments section on this blog.

So here's what I resolve for 2011:

*To blog at least once a week--even if that post is simply to be a series of links to other blogs or articles. After all, linking to things others are saying/thinking about is just as important as trying to voice my own thoughts in this space.

*To finish a draft of my current book project -- I've got a *very* rough draft of one chapter and need to work on the last chapter.

*To keep exercising. Even if it just means walking for half an hour--but really, I want to train for the 4 mile race I signed up for in April.

Ok, that's it. Pretty simple goals--just 3--so should be achievable.

Happy 2011 everyone--I'm hoping that it's a healthy and happy one for us all!

Satire plug: Colson Whitehead

Colson Whitehead is one of my favorite contemporary authors.


[click here for a link to the article where this photo came from, which also gives a five-day summary of Whitehead's meat diet]

Recently, he wrote a satirical piece for The New York Times that is just so spot on. Titled "Visible Man" it chronicles the life of the character "The Guy Who's Where He Is Only Because He's Black."

I have read all of Whitehead's novels (my favorite was Apex Hides the Hurt--again, in the realm of satire it's fantastic). You can also check out his blog for a sampling of his writing style, but definitely check out the New York Times piece. It's a classic.