New Year’s resolutions started more than 150 years before the birth of the Christ. During the early days of the Roman Empire the mythical King Janus was placed first on the Roman calendar, thus, making January the first month of the year. Legend has it that Janus was of two faces, one which could look to the past and one that could see into the future. It was believed that Janus had the power to forgive the people’s minor transgressions. Many Romans felt that Janus would bring blessings on them for the coming year if they gave small gifts to each other, or made a self-commitment to atone for previous misdeeds.
Here we are several thousands of years later at the beginning of a new year. The tradition of New Year’s resolutions continues. Some resolutions include such matters as visiting Aunt Minnie more often, avoiding that second helping at dinner, reading more books, cleaning out the closet, etc. Most resolutions will be forgotten or dropped in short time. What if we extended our New Year’s resolutions beyond our thoughts of correcting some petty self-indulgences and make New Year’s resolutions about something having a greater meaning?
Since much time is spent watching mindless programs on television, or rushing to see some celebrity, a resolution can be made to give some of life’s precious moments to attend ceremonies that honor those who served this country so faithfully and honorably, both living and dead. These men and women deserve as much attention and honor as some athlete or television celebrity.
Trent Williams' and Fred Davis' resolution is to put down the pipe, the joint, the bong, whatever you bought at your local head shop. I'm not here to judge. When your football career is over, do what you want, but if you're extracurricular activities affect your job, then it's a problem. No employer wants an unreliable employee, or teammate in this case.
Nationals owner Ted Lerner's resolution is to keep spending on the big league club despite the first-year miss with Jayson Werth.
Jayson Werth's resolution is play like the guy that was in Philadelphia. This is not Philly. D.C. fans are easygoing but like anyone else, we have our breaking point.
Bryce Harper's resolution is to stop cheering for the Yankees immediately. We have not had the pleasure of seeing your game at the big-league level and we have a bit of a complex around these parts. Any player that is ever good ends up leaving and becomes a success with other franchises. Most of us expect you to sign with the Yankees someday, just don't be so obvious about it. Let us enjoy this while we can.
Maryland football coach Randy Edsall's resolution is this: if you want your players to be held accountable, then practice what you preach already. Clearly your approach was not right last year. The 2-10 mark, exodus of players and empty seats at Byrd Stadium prove it, not to mention the hire of an offensive coordinator (who is one and done) that played a system that was not to the strengths of your talented young QB Danny O'Brien.
The "dream job" after just one season has been a nightmare for the Terps faithful. Guess what coach: your fingerprints are all over it. Call your buddy Tom Coughlin and ask him how he lightened up.
London Fletcher's resolution is to start campaigning now for the 2013 Pro Bowl like one of those Heisman candidates, because clearly letting the play do the talking is not working. The other idea is just embrace your inner Susan Lucia and roll with it.
Rex Grossman resolution is to come into a post-game press conference and own his mistakes. Stop blaming others.
Teddy Roosevelt's resolution is to win a damn race already!
All American New Years: (8 p.m. Fox News Channel).
New Year's Eve Live Coverage: (9:30 p.m. CNN).
New Year's Eve With Carson Daly: (10 p.m.; 11:30 p.m. NBC).
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve: (10; 11:30 p.m. ABC).
American Country New Year's Eve Live: (11 p.m. Fox).
Coldplay New Year's Eve: Austin City Limits: (11 p.m. KOCE).
NYE in NYC 2012: (11 p.m. MTV).
MOVIES
Jaws: Nothing says "Happy New Year!" like a shark attack. Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw star in this 1975 blockbuster directed by Steven Spielberg (7:06 p.m. Spike).
The Eagle: Channing Tatum stars as a Roman soldier determined to find a golden icon that would inspire his legion in this 2011 adventure (8 p.m. HBO).
SPORTS
College basketball: Louisville at Kentucky (9 a.m. CBS); Virginia Tech at Oklahoma State (9 a.m. ESPN2); Providence at Georgetown (11 a.m. ESPN2); Illinois at Purdue (1 p.m. ESPN2); UCLA at California (1 p.m. FS Prime); Ohio State at Indiana (3 p.m. ESPN2); USC at Stanford (3:30 p.m. FSN); Gonzaga at Xavier (5 p.m. ESPN2); Oregon at Washington (7 p.m. ESPN2).
College football: Meineke Car Care of Texas Bowl: Northwestern vs. Texas A&M (9 a.m. ESPN); Sun Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Utah (11 a.m. CBS); Liberty Bowl: Cincinnati vs. Vanderbilt (12:30 p.m. ABC); Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: Illinois vs. UCLA (12:30 p.m. ESPN); Auburn vs. Virginia (4:30 p.m. ESPN).
CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live With Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin from Times Square at 11 p.m. Cooper anchors with CNN correspondents providing reports from celebrations across the USA and around the world.
NBC’s New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly at Times Square at 10 p.m. Guests include Drake, Jessie J, Blake Shelton, Cee Lo Green, Jimmy Fallon, The Roots and Tony Bennett.
Fox TV’s American Country New Year’s Eve Live at 11 p.m. from the Las Vegas strip and Times Square, hosted by comedian/actor Rodney Carrington and co-hosts Rick Harrison and Austin “Chumlee” Russell of Pawn Stars, with performances by Joe Nichols, Eli Young Band, Toby Keith, Lauren Alaina and Rodney Atkins.
Fox News’ All American New Year at 11 p.m., hosted by Megyn Kelly and Bill Hemmer, with performances from Big & Rich, Trace Adkins and the cast of Rock of Ages.
You can join thousands of other Middle Tennesseans — and people from around the country — in Nashville for the annual Music City New Year's Eve Bash on Broadway, featuring headline performer Lynyrd Skynyrd.
The free downtown street event kicks off at 7 p.m. today on First Avenue and Broadway, with live performances from numerous bands, and culminates with the dropping of a 15-foot tall red music note.
The "Music Drop" will trigger a fireworks display and confetti cannons after its 115 descent in the seconds prior to midnight.
For those sticking around Rutherford County, there are ample local venues where you and friends can ring in the new year right.
In Providence, there's always Bright Night in Providence. They've got an evening of celebration including poetry, comedy, a food court, skating, discounted tickets to a masquerade ball, music, storytelling, theatre (stationary and roaming) and dancing. Tickets are available day-of and online, $15 before Dec. 31, $20 after (kids and seniors $15).
In East Greenwich, the Greenwich Hotel is planning a year's end celebration coinciding with their regular Open Mic night. There's no cover, a free grand buffet, champagne toast, party hats and noise makers, according to the hotel's facebook post.
In Narragansett, head down to the Village Inn for a family-friendly New Year's event to benefit LINKS. Enjoy a blackout bash for the adults while the kids enjoy a neon PJ party in a separate room. Learn more here.
In Woonsocket, revelers can turn to Chan's where the Fat City Band will perform during their New Year's Eve Bash with dinner buffet, entertainment, hats & noise makers, champagne toast at midnight and dancing.
City Side also has a celebration planned with What Matters providing music for their festivities from 8 p.m. till 1 a.m.
In Cranston, you can watch the ball drop at Mardi Gras nightclub on Oaklawn Avenue for New Year festivities. The nightclub is throwing a bash featuring a Champagne toast, DJs, live music by AC/DC Tribute Dirty Deeds, Godsmack tribute Voodoo and Good Ol Boys. Along with the music comes a complimentary grand buffet at 7 p.m. and prizes including a 32-inch flat screen TV, Bruins tickets and a snow board. Cover is $20.
Or, stop by Rhodes on the Pawtuxet for a New Year’s Eve Ballroom Gala. Join Randy Deats and Kathy S. Jean for dancing, music, a seated buffet in the historic 15,000 square foot ballroom. It also includes a show by Nikolai Pilipenchuk and Natalia Skorikova, the 2011 World Professional 10-Dance Champions.
Wellington City Council's city events manager, Lauren Fantham, says it is disappointing to have to make the call but the forecast is not showing signs of improvement. A fireworks display in Wellington at midnight is also cancelled.
"We think it's better that everyone stays indoors, dry and happy tonight."
A New Year's Eve event at Mount Maunganui's main beach was earlier cancelled due to poor weather but fireworks will still be let off on the Tauranga side of the city's bridge.
Rain is continuing across much of the North Island, with heavy rain forecast for Taranaki, Bay of Plenty and northern Northland.
The already drenched Nelson region is cleaning up so the party hotspots of Queenstown and Wanaka in the South Island look like the places to be weather-wise.
Police Commissioner Peter Marshall says there will be extra police on duty in popular holiday destinations in the Coromandel, as well as Queenstown and Wanaka, but he's confident there won't be much trouble.
"If this weather keeps up, there certainly won't be too many issues," he told Radio New Zealand.
Plastic ponchos will be in hot demand among those heading to Coromandel Gold, a two-day outdoor music festival near Whitianga. Festival-goers who brave the rain will be treated to performances by a host of Kiwi acts including Shihad, Shapeshifter and Fat Freddy's Drop.
The partying may give way to transportation chaos, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported in its online edition. Of the city’s 6,000 taxis, 2,500 won’t be operating because of owners who’d prefer to steer clear of drunken customers, the newspaper said. More than 65 trains, 500 extra buses and 29 additional ferries will be on duty, it said.
To safeguard Sydney’s festivities -- dubbed “Time to Dream” -- from crime, New South Wales police announced that “Operation Vela” tonight will include mounted officers, a riot squad, a marine command and an airwing patrol. “Don’t start 2012 with a criminal record,” police said in a statement yesterday.
In the northern hemisphere, more than 3 million people will walk through the precincts of Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine tonight and during the first three days of 2012. Temple and shrine visits are a New Year tradition in Japan, drawing more than 98 million people across the nation.
Lady Gaga, whose “We Pray for Japan” bracelet raised more than $250,000 for disaster-relief in 48 hours, will appear by satellite on Japanese public broadcaster NHK’s Red vs White, a New Year’s Eve sing-off between teams of the nation’s most popular male and female recording stars. Last year’s broadcast drew a viewer rating as high as 41.7 percent, according to Video Research Ltd.
