DAILY DIRT: Ready to make some resolutions? You’re not alone

DAILY DIRT for December 28, 2023

I think the last time I made an honest-to-goodness resolution for the coming year was in the 1980s, but hey, that’s just me … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 822 of The Daily Dirt.

1. It’s that time of the year when many of us will be making resolutions for the coming 12 months.

A survey coordinated by Forbes.com in October looked at Americans’ attitudes surrounding resolution setting and what types of goals were prioritized.

Here are a few highlights from that poll:

• About 37 percent of Americans are expected to make at least one resolution for 2024.
• 62 percent said they felt pressured to set at least one new year’s resolution.
• Overall, 48 percent said improving physical fitness was a top priority.
• Somewhat surprisingly (maybe?), 36 percent said improved mental health was of the utmost importance.
• Other top goals included improving finances (36 percent), losing weight (34 percent) and improving his/her diet (32 percent).

Among the least popular resolutions were traveling more (6 percent), meditating regularly (5 percent), drinking less alcohol (3 percent) and performing better at work (3 percent).

We’ll have some more on this topic as the week progresses.

2. With a new year dawning, here are five celebrities to raise a toast to on Jan. 1:

Actor Denzel Washington turns 69 today. His first film was “Carbon Copy” in 1981.

Actor Ted Danson marks No. 76 on Friday. Cheers, Ted.

NBA star LeBron James will be 39 on Saturday. He could probably still be a force when he’s 50.

Hall of Fame MLB pitcher Sandy Koufax turns 88, also on Saturday. He may not be the greatest ever, but he’s certainly in the conversation. An extremely small conversation.

Actor Val Kilmer will be 64 on Sunday. Since 2015, Kilmer has been battling throat cancer.

3. Here’s a new stat for you MLB fans reading today: The most career strikeouts in the ninth inning:

1. Craig Kimbrel, 969

2. Billy Wagner, 936

3. Kenley Jansen, 874

At the other end of the spectrum, the most strikeouts in the first inning:

1. Nolan Ryan, 845

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Have you watched “NCIS: Sydney” yet? I highly recommend it.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. He may be distracted today. He has a house full of Ohioans in for the holidays.