I stopped making New Year’s resolutions several years ago, right around the time I realized planning is not one of my strengths. This year, although it’s a bit late for this kind of thing, I’m making a list of things I’d like to resolve. I’m fully aware that I’m not capable of following through with these resolutions, but at least I can say that I made some kind of effort. Let me begin by saying that I resolve to use Photoshop regularly, even if I’ll just create dumb things like this:

This is to hopefully improve my Photoshop skills. I’m not doing this to impress the ladies — and we all know the ladies find Photoshop skills sexy — but to help myself reach my goal for this year, which is to have a web design portfolio that people would actually take seriously.

I resolve to stop smoking. I’m currently trying –�emphasis on that word, guys –�to cut down on smoking. I’m hoping this gradual process would lead me to a permanent stoppage. I tried quitting cold turkey before and the best I could do was 7 days without lighting a stick. But you know what, sometimes, I need to force myself into doing things, so maybe I’ll give this cold turkey business another shot. Whatever.

I resolve to cut down on alcohol. People, probably including you, have this idea that I’m an alcoholic. They think I drink beer everyday. That’s simply not true. I only crave for beer everyday, but I don’t drink it as often as people may think. I’ve already cut down my alcohol intake in the last few months, but not entirely by choice. This year, however, I’m making that choice. I’m not going to give it up entirely because, you know, I’m not crazy. I’m just going to show people that I can survive for weeks without getting smashed.

I resolve to maintain a normal sleeping habit. I’ve always struggled in sleeping early and waking up early. Somehow, I feel uncomfortable moving around during daylight. There was even a time when I considered that there’s a possibility that I am, in fact, a vampire. For me, it just feels right waking up late in the afternoon and sleeping right after breakfast. I hope to maintain a regular and normal sleeping schedule to convince myself that I’m normal, to prevent screwing up my health more than it already is, and to keep those pesky vampire hunters at bay. YOU’LL NEVER KICK MY BALLS AGAIN, BUFFY!

I resolve to read more books. I read a lot of blogs and comic books. Sometimes, I even have the patience to read inane status messages on Facebook and endless rants on Twitter. However, there’s something about holding a book in your hand and reading words without images that appeals to me, someone who loves reading colorful pages of heroes and villains beating the crap out of each other. I’ve already started by reading The War for Late Night by Bill Carter. I plan on reading at least one book per month.

I resolve to be less annoying on Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook. For you people who are following me or who are friends with me on these Internet doohickeys, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Don’t even pretend that you don’t.

I resolve to blog more. A couple of years ago, I used to blog several times a month. Now I’m down to an average of twice a month. I blame things like microblogging, which I believe is killing long-form blogging for us personal bloggers, and the fact that I’m lazy. On second thought, publishing embarrassing blog entries for all potential future employers and clients to see may not be the best idea. I would have to rethink this resolution.

I resolve to quit believing that professional wrestling is real.

Tune in next year when I blog about how I failed accomplishing these resolutions in spectacular manner.