We interrupt today’s DAILY DIRT for this special message

We’ll get to today’s installment of Steve Eighinger’s deep thoughts momentarily, but first…

Steve’s friends and family surprised the 70-year-old wonder with a little birthday bash at Tiramisu. Steve’s son, daughter and son-in-law hosted while the rest of us just showed up.

Aside from the invasion of the Ohio people, Steve’s Quincy family was there along with some members of his work families from The Herald-Whig and Muddy River News (known as Whiggers and Muddy Buddies).

But the highlight was when we gave Steve his present. A birthday greeting from the former Ohio State coach and current FOX broadcaster Urban Meyer.

Back to regular programming…

DAILY DIRT: You can always hit ‘reset’ on those resolutions

 … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 823 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Yesterday we talked about what some of those resolutions for the coming new year might concern.

Today, we’ll chat about how long those resolutions tend to last. Don’t worry, it will be a short read.

Sarah Davis, the editor of Forbes.com, which supplied us with much of yesterday’s content, offers this observation:

“If you find yourself in the camp of setting lofty goals for the new year only to find yourself falling off the wagon just months (or weeks) later, rest assured that you’re not alone,” Davis writes. “In fact, failing at New Year’s resolutions is so common that there’s even a slew of (unofficial) dates commemorating such failures.”

Some sources cite “Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day” as Jan. 17, while others denote the second Friday in January as “Quitter’s Day.”

Forbes.com research showed the average resolution lasts 3.74 months, and only 8 percent of those interviewed said they would stick to their goals for one month.

That’s the bad news. But don’t worry, all is not lost if you throw in the towel on one or all of your resolutions in mid-January.

“The beauty of goal setting is you don’t need a ball drop or cannons of confetti to signal a fresh start — you can recommit to your resolutions at any time,” Davis writes. “In fact, June 1 is unofficially known by many as ‘New Year’s Resolution Recommitment Day,’ giving you the perfect opportunity to take stock of where you are with your resolutions and hit reset if necessary.”

2. The final “Found on Facebook” for 2023:

• “My son said he saw a deer on his way to work. I asked how he knew the deer was going to work.”
• “The Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions have each won 10 games in the same season for the first time in 70 years.”
• “OK, Christmas is over. I’m ready for summer.”
• “Who remembers ‘Spaghetti-O’s?'”
• “Remember when a five-pack of blank VHS tapes was an amazing Christmas present?”

3. The Daily Dirt’s picks for the New Year’s Six bowl games:

• Cotton Bowl: Missouri 24, Ohio State 21. The Buckeyes are missing way too many players to knock off  one of the nation’s up-and-coming programs. (PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Man, Steve … don’t let Urban know you picked against tOSU. He’ll ask for his Cameo back. JRG)
• Peach Bowl: Ole Miss 28, Penn State 24. Because Lane Kiffin is a better coach than James Franklin.
• Orange Bowl: Georgia 49, Florida State 3. I’m really sick of Florida State’s whining about getting left out of the CFP. Life’s not always fair, Seminoles. This game should prove they did not belong anyway.
• Fiesta Bowl: Oregon 56, Liberty 14. This one could get ugly fast.
• Rose Bowl: Alabama 35, Michigan 21. If the opportunity presents itself, St. Nick will run up the score on Mr. Harbaugh. (PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Okay, that might get you back in Urb’s good graces. JRG)
• Sugar Bowl: Washington 27, Texas 21. Texas has the better uniforms, but Washington ahs the better defense.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — That “Found on Facebook” comment about VHS tapes brought back a lot of great memories from the 1980s, particularly concerning NASCAR races. For years, son Geoff and I taped every NASCAR race just so we could play them back in the offseason. And then along came YouTube and we eventually pitched all those old NASCAR recordings. Yes, I just wiped a tear from my eye.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. He is truly a man of the people.