DAILY DIRT: Be realistic, just skip those New Year’s resolutions

January 1, 2025 | By Steve Eighinger Muddy River News Minister of Culture and Doctor of Love

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Daily Dirt for Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025

Be honest, you know that hot fudge sundae will taste a lot better than the boiled asparagus … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,159 of The Daily Dirt.

1. One of the most popular New Year’s Day traditions is revealing a list of resolutions for the coming 12 months.

You know, things like losing weight, getting in shape … blah, blah, blah.

Let’s be honest here. How many of us actually stick to these resolutions for more than a couple of days or weeks? That’s why giving up on those resolutions — despite the best of intentions — has become a tradition in itself.

That’s why we also have these two important dates coming up:

“Quitter’s Day” is the second Friday of each January, for those who pretty much fall flat on their face when it comes to sticking to those New Year’s resolutions. Quitter’s Day falls on Jan. 10 this year.

“Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day” is always on Jan. 17, and by that time most of those who bought an exercise bike, took out a membership at the local YMCA or health club and vowed never again to eat cheesecake are ready to resume their daily inhaling of Mountain Dew, Lay’s potato chips and hot fudge sundaes.

But don’t feel bad about failing when it comes to those resolutions. You have company — plenty of it.

Consider:

Research via a 2023 Forbes Health/One Poll survey shows only 1 percent if those setting such lofty health goals hold on to those resolutions for a full year.

About 90 percent said they couldn’t keep their resolutions for even one month.

A meager 2 percent are able to hold on for seven, eight, nine and/or 10 months.

So don’t feel bad if you fail. You won’t be alone, and there is always strength in numbers.

2. Did you know (Part 233)

That those new “candy bar milks” (Milky Way, Snickers, Twix) are showing up on more store shelves. The Twix milk has gotten the best reviews.
That the new Girl Scout Cookie cupcakes are now at most Walmarts. There are five flavors to choose from: Coconut Caramel, Thin Mints, Samoas, Lemoncake and Smores. Cost is around $4 for a dozen.
That Japanese is the fastest language in the world, averaging 7.84 syllables per second.
That the most commonly used letter in the English language is “E”. The least common letters used are J, X, Q and Z.
That 52 years ago today (1972) the top five most popular songs were:

1. “Brandy,” by Looking Glass.

2. “Lean On Me,” by Bill Withers.

3. “Go All The Way,” by the Raspberries.

4. “American Pie,” by Don McLean.

5. “Nice To Be With You,” by Gallery.

3. Our first celebrity birthday wishes of 2025 go to:

Actor/director Mel Gibson will be 69 on Friday. Gibson at his best found him in those “Lethal Weapon” adventures with co-star Danny Glover.
Musician — the term is used loosely — Marilyn Manson turns 56 on Sunday. His real name is Brian Hugh Warner.
Actor Robert Duvall will be 94, also on Sunday. He attended Principia College in Elsah, Ill., the tiny school that overlooks the Mississippi River just north of Alton.
Another Sunday birthday finds actress Diane Keaton turning 79. Her first appearance in a major film was back in 1972 in “The Godfather”.
“Walking Dead” superstar Norman Reedus will be 56 on Monday. Who would have ever guess it would be him to evolve into the face of that franchise?

Steve Thought O’ The Day – My New Year’s resolution is to watch more sports on TV. It was either that or take up jogging. I went with “A”.