Tis the Season

Tis the season for people to make their New Year's resolutions.  

According to Wikipedia (a somewhat legit source, right?), people tend to resolve to change an undesired trait or behavior, to accomplish a personal goal, or otherwise improve their life. Wikipedia also cites a 2014 study that revealed 35% of participants who failed to accomplish their resolution admitted they had unrealistic goals, 33% of participants didn't track their progress and 23% forgot about them.  And, one in 10 respondents claimed they made too many resolutions.

So it is with great pride that I announce that my husband and I beat the odds and accomplished our 2019 resolution.  It was easy to track our progress and, since we only had one resolution, it was easy to remain focused. So what was this extraordinary resolution?  To eat at 52 "new to us" restaurants in one calendar year.  I know, I know, this flies in the face of what most people pledge to do - lose weight or workout more.  But, we succeeded and most people fail.  So there.

Early on, we had to establish some guidelines.  This was especially important because I've known my husband for less than 4 years and we each had decades of meals without the other.  The following were our mutually agreed upon ground rules:

• a restaurant where one of us ate at before would count as a "new" one if it had been at least 5 years since that meal
• takeout or delivery would not count under any circumstances
• no chain restaurants, unless it was one not located in our geographic region or was new to it

On December 3rd, we ate at #52.  And, on December 7th, we ate at #53.  What overachievers we are.  We're still at #53 and that's probably where we'll end up unless we squeeze in another new place in the next 6-ish hours.  

Being the math nerd that I am, I'm personally content with staying at 53 - prime number that it is.  And, of course I had to do a full data analysis on our list:

• 21% of our meals were brunch - thanks to husband having most Sundays off this year
• 32% of the meals were Italian or Mexican - obviously we love these cuisines or Philadelphia has an abundance of these restaurants
• 7 of the restaurants were introduced to us through the Tasting Collective, which offers private chef-led dinners.  We're members and it's been a great way to try restaurants we've never been to before.
• only 5 of the restaurants were ones where one of us had eaten at before, more than 5 years ago.
• 35% of the restaurants we agreed that we'd like to go to again, although it's hard to do that when there's a neverending list of new places opening that we want to check out.

So what are my biggest takeaways from this year-long project?  You can eat at 53 new places and still lose weight.  There's a certain level of motivation to achieve the goal when it's something that is a bit of a challenge, yet fun. Philly has an amazing restaurant scene - what a great way to force us not to go to the same places over and over again.

I believe most people probably fail to follow through on their resolutions because it's something they think they should do instead of something they really want to do. 

But that's just my view.  From the 33rd floor.

Is This Thing On?

Testing....Testing....1-2-3.  Hey, is this thing on?

Phew.  Well, here I am.  Officially writing my first blog post.  Now, I have mentally composed blog posts over the years but there's a difference between thinking through the sentences (while in the shower or during my long driving commute on 95) and actually putting them down on paper.  Or, more precisely, these days that means typing on a computer.

People who know me in real life know me as a math person.  I fully admit I am primarily numbers-oriented.  I find my mind wandering off doing calculations to esoteric questions - how long would it take....   And, nothing gets me more excited than figuring out a complicated formula in Excel and watching everything automatically recalculate every time I change one value.  Yes, I'm a math nerd and proud of it.

So, what the heck am I doing writing?  Good question.  As much as I love numbers and math, I have always enjoyed writing as well.  Perhaps because I am a bit of an introvert so it's easier for me to express myself in written words versus verbally.  Need to write an angry note to a company?  I am your woman.  Or, maybe it's because everyone needs a creative outlet and writing is one of mine.

Around 20 years ago, I started writing an annual letter to include with my holiday cards.  I found it a good exercise in reflecting back on the year to try to put some meaning or lessons learned to what I did or experienced.  I remember my beloved grandma complimenting me every time she received one of these letters.  I thought it was just a grandma being a grandma but over the years I have received positive feedback from many recipients.  And, the couple of years I decided to "not bother" writing a letter because I felt like I didn't really have anything to say?  Some people expressed disappointment.  To those people, sorry that I haven't written one for 2019.  Maybe my blog will make up for it?

When my grandma died in 2007, I decided to keep writing as a tribute to her, my number one fan.  I enrolled in a noncredit writing course at Temple University and wrote a few stories.  Then things got busy and I put everything on the backburner and thought one day I'll get back to it.

Several years ago, when I met my husband, he encouraged me to start writing again.  I think he was surprised that someone who identifies primarily with numbers can also express herself so clearly in words.  I told him I wanted to start writing regularly...that I thought about writing a blog...that I had ideas...that I had no idea what to call my blog...that I didn't have the time to put into it...that...  You know, one reason after another why I wanted to do it but just couldn't.  Well, here I am, making that recommitment to writing.  I don't want to make any grand promises that I will post something every week at a certain time because the moment I say that and miss a post, that's the moment I can see myself saying that I messed up and the whole thing is over.  I know I am going to try to post on a regular basis.  I've already created a list of topics so if I find myself struggling with what to write about, hopefully something on the list will provide inspiration.

So, welcome.  I hope you enjoy what you read.  And, if you don't, that's fine. Just don't tell me.  I know there are some of you who know me well who would have expected me to make my first post on the 11th of the month.  Yes, eleven is a special number to me but instead I decided to post for the first time on December 23rd - the date my grandma died 12 years ago.  I think of her often.  I know how much she enjoyed my writing and encouraged me to do it more.  So, this one is for you grandma.  It may have taken me some time to get going, but I never stopped hearing your encouragement.

But that's just my view.  From the 33rd floor.