Another year has fallen away. They seem to be progressing more rapidly now. I can remember back in the last century when a year was a long time. Where, as they say, did the time go? Wherever it may have gone, here we are slap-dab at the beginning of another 365 days, another twelve months or fifty-two weeks. Here’s another chance.

Have you made your resolutions? I have. As I’ve elucidated before in this space, I always make New Year’s Resolutions. And, unlike the vast majority of Americans, I keep mine. Thinking back on 2006 I’m pretty sure I kept every one of my resolutions. I’m sure 2008 will be no exception. Here’s my list.

In 2008 I do hereby resolve that I will not run the New York Marathon, the Boston Marathon, the New Orleans Marathon, or, for that matter, the Atlanta Marathon. In fact, now I’m going out on a limb here, I’m going ahead and resolve that unless it is absolutely a necessity I’m not going to run, period.

I resolve I will not resume my soccer career. Despite the expected cries for me to come out of retirement and display my skills upon the pitch once again in 2008 I will not compete upon the green fields of athletic endeavor.

2008 will find me not once straddling a bicycle and pedaling continuously toward the destination of who-knows-where. (In fact, does anyone know where all those bicyclists I pass in Gordon County are going?) Resolving to not participate in any tour-de-Gordon requires, of course, a corollary resolution. That resolution would be that I hereby resolve to not pull upon my sagging, failing, and somewhat depleted torso one of those brightly colored skin-fitting bicyclist outfits. That includes the cute hat.

I am determined, and hereby resolve, that in 2008 I will not attend any reunions of my high school class. The last one was so depressing what with the realization of the advanced stage of deterioration of every one of my former classmates. Nor will I attend any functions whose description contains any form of the word “retired.” It’s a matter of principle. I’m not going there.

In the coming year I will not deny any grandchild anything they desire that is within my power to grant them.

The coming year is one where my resolve to vote will be exercised. Someone has to take responsibility for electing the right people to office. It occurs to me if many of you would resolve to not vote while I resolve to do so the right person would be elected to office.

In 2008 I resolve to not write the great American novel, to begin not one book of poetry, and to compile the first really great comprehensive guide to understanding the computer. I’ll keep my thoughts more focused on getting this column written on time. I’m thinking about that, but let’s hold off on putting that in the form of a resolution.

In the coming year I resolve to not jump from any airplane whose engines are still running; I will not hand glide off any cliffs nor climb any mountains whose altitude is above four thousand feet. I will not take up again water skiing or parasailing, scuba diving in caves nor repelling off cliffs. I will not accept any invitation to drive a NASCAR vehicle in competition.

Finally, in 2008 I do hereby resolve to not make any resolution I cannot keep.