As I write this column, I have come to a realization. I've known about this. I thought I've faced this fact, but apparently I haven't.
When I was young and spry, I could go out, party, hang till 2, 3 in the morning, wake up for class/work the next day and be ready to do it all over again the following night.
I am writing this column on Friday. I went out on Thursday. And right now, my legs are burning, my eyes are hurting and I can't feel my feet.
And I guarantee that when you all read this today, I might not be fully recovered.
Basically, I'm 28 years old. I'm not 21. And I need to learn that.
This, my friends, is the first of my 2009 edition of Dana's New Year's Resolutions. To quit pretending like I'm 21. I'm 28. I need to learn my limitations.
Besides learning this life lesson, I'm trying to come up with some "different" resolutions than in years past.
Every year, I fail miserably when it comes to resolutions. If I make it through January, I consider it a success. But I don't want that this year. I really, truly, want to be able to follow through on the things that I want to change about myself in 2010.
While I really want to be able to put the "lose X amount of pounds" resolution in, I know from many years of failure that the weight loss resolution just needs to be something I do on my own. But if anyone has any ways to keep from cheating on my diet and actually make it work for more than a few weeks, please let me know.
My next one is a selfish one, but I think to make a better Dana means a happy Dana. My next resolution is that I'm going to travel more and visit more of my friends.
If you couldn't tell, I work a lot. And I've realized that I've pretty much worked my way through my 20s. I think it's time (before I maybe one day get married and have kids) to make sure I travel, see all my old friends from high school and college, and make sure I get to do what I want to do. Now, if I can just get those days off work, I'll be set.
So, now that the resolutions are out of the way, I have a thank you to issue.
I would like to send a ginormous thank you to the man I've always known to be real. The man who never fails to know exactly what I want every Dec. 25. That's right. A big high-five and shout out to Santa Claus for giving me exactly what I wanted for Christmas.
In case anyone missed it, THE BROWNS BEAT THE STEELERS!!!
I don't ever remember being so happy around the holidays. I think I'm still smiling about it. I know in the terms of the whole season it doesn't mean much, but to all the Browns fans out there, you can't lie and tell me it didn't make you feel a whole lot better.
Thank you, Santa. You rock.
And finally, I want to wish everyone a fantastic holiday. I hope everyone gets what they want from Santa. I know I did.
Sulonen is a sports writer at the Tribune Chronicle. E-mail her at dsulonen@tribtoday.com