The arrival of the new year is a time to reflect on the past year and resolve to do a few things differently in the year ahead.
A poll of Greater Victorians from various walks of life found that filling holes, spending more time outdoors and slowing down were among the the New Year’s resolutions being made.
“I’ve got a few. Number one, to make everyone smile. Number two, to walk every single Colwood neighbourhood again. Number three, do something crazy. Number four, to have no hole go unfilled in Colwood,” says Colwood councillor Gordie Logan.
“When I hear the word resolution, what comes to mind is the conclusion of a really good book,” says Christine O’Brien, co-ordinator for Sandy Merriman House for women:
“My resolution is to do things I would want to read about, things that made me laugh or maybe scared me a bit. Take more chances and do something so out of the box for me like maybe actually audition for a play like I've wanted to for years … I guess I want to redefine my self-imposed limits.”
Entrepreneur, actor and Pagliacci’s co-founder Howie Siegel vows: “Never to get caught up in American politics as long as I live.”
Victoria Coun. Ben Isitt split his resolutions into personal and political.
“Personal: More time outdoors, less time on the computer. Political: Number one is to support the establishment of a CRD Regional Farmland Trust. Number two, ramp up pressure for more affordable housing in all new developments in Victoria.”
Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi, executive director of the Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness, notes that “it is easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of life” and that’s something she wants to address.
“I plan to modify my busy life to have more time for reflection, and to be genuinely present in the lives of others.”
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps also hopes to slow down a little. “We’ve been moving at rapid clip, there is lots of change underway. We all need to take some breathing room and integrate the changes.”
Rev. Al Tysick’s resolution “is to think of others before myself. To give unconditional love in a non-judgmental way.”
If he could, Nanaimo RCMP Const. Gary O’Brien would resolve to have world peace. More realistically, he’s looking to settle for yoga and running.
“I'm going to begin yoga as I want to increase my flexibility,” he said, adding he’d also like to run the Times Colonist 10K. “I use to run it annually and would like to get back to it.”
“My New Year resolution is to have more bad habits,” says Kathy Kay, Victoria Film Festival director.
Jordan Bateman, B.C. director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, plans on reading about and seeing more of the province.
“I want to read more B.C. history and visit places in B.C. I’ve never been, to learn more about the stories and places that shape our province. I’ve just finished reading a biography of Gerry St. Germain, am reading a history of the Bulkley Valley and have a Richard McBride biography waiting — there’s so much in B.C.’s past and present that I want to explore and introduce my kids to.”
Gareth Gaudin, co-owner of Legends Comics and Books and creator of the Perogy Cat cartoon, says his resolutions include finishing two books he’s working on (Enid Jupiter and Lyra Gotham: The Monster Sisters #8, and the Harvey Kurtzman film and graphic novel project he’s neck deep into).
Gaudin also plans to schedule more city and nature walks with his wife and daughters.
“We want to delve deeper into this town’s folklore and architectural histories in order to create more subplots for our comic books. Victoria never ceases to offer more mysteries to explore,” he says.
Victoria film commissioner Kathleen Gilbert resolved to watch more Canadian movies.
Restaurateur and former Victoria city councillor Shellie Gudgeon plans to “re-read some life changing books and to be grateful every day.”
Esquimalt Mayor and CRD chair Barb Desjardins says 2017 promises to be an exciting year for many reasons, not the least of which is that Esquimalt will see greater change than it has in decades.
“Developments like the English Inn, the Esquimalt town square, Triangle Lands, Salish Sea RV Haven (formerly Westbay RV Park) reconstruction are just some of the developments starting in 2017,” Desjardins said.
“Regionally, we will continue to see evolution of co-operative initiatives, like the 911 call centre, governance review recommendation opportunities, regional growth strategy and transportation.”
Esquimalt Coun. Lynda Hundleby says she “will be continuing to seek more balance in my life around work and play, family and friends, exercise and quiet times.”
View Royal Mayor David Screech New Year’s resolution is focused on transportation.
“I will do everything that I can to see that a regional transportation service is initiated at the CRD,” Screech says.
Ed Bain, morning host on 100.3 the Q, is all about the listeners: “I plan to get a gym membership … and give it to caller nine on the Q Morning Show,” he said.
Metchosin rocker Jesse Roper vows “to never work a real job again and to eat more vegetables. … fingers crossed.”
Mark Muldoon, executive director of the Threshold Housing Society for homeless youth, has three resolutions: “One, be present to the moment presenting itself in all of its richness and confusion without demanding it be any different than what it is. Two, accept my complete and utter failure in finding life/work balance and still enjoy a good belly laugh. Three, make hope my default attitude about the world and its crazy ways.”
Victoria Coun. Chris Coleman is using Canada’s 150th anniversary as a theme for his resolutions.
“To identify 150 ‘Canadian things’ to … learn about [and] participate in. That’s an average of three a week. I’ll identify the weekly choices on my Facebook page on Monday morning and try to accomplish them during the following week,” Coleman said.
As well, he plans to read 150 books and make his wife, Judith, “smile every day (or at least try).”
