As my girlfriend and I ready ourselves for our New Years evening, I was inspired to come up with a list of New Years resolutions for 2008. This list is for those of us who aren’t single for the New Years. So that means you won’t find any resolutions like:

“Get laid.”

Or, maybe you will have that as a resolution even though you aren’t single. That being said: if you are in a relationship that is stale enough that you are hoping to get some just once this year, then maybe you should consider spicing up your love life a bit.

So here we are, without further delay:

10 New Years Resolutions for the “Not-So-Single”

1. Do something for someone your partner cares about - this one is often overlooked. Many times you can evoke more joy and happiness out of your partner by doing something kind for someone they care about. Maybe they have a sick grandmother that they are worried about. Or maybe they haven’t seen their mom in a long time. Instead of offering something to your partner, why not ask them if you can get something for someone they love or ask if they can help you get something for someone they love.
2. Stop being jealous/worrying - relationships should be a bastion of truth, honesty and commitment towards another person. If you are doubting the other person in their commitment to you, then you should have a conversation with your partner about it. That way, they won’t be paranoid that you’re always watching what they’re doing and you can rest at ease when they go out for a “night with the guys/girls”.
3. Make your partner smile everyday - by remembering to do this each, and every day, you (and your partner) will always have something to look forward to. In addition, it allows you to go through your day a bit easier. Just because you and your partner may have been cranky at each other in the morning, doesn’t mean that you don’t have a smile on their face to look forward to for later.
4. Honesty, honesty, honesty… - if you tell the truth, then you don’t have to remember what you said. If your partner finds a lie within you, then they will probably dig until they find more. Not only does that lead them down a path of doubt and frustration, but it hampers your ability to be honest with your partner in the future.
5. Find new ways to show your partner you care - do something different to keep the relationship from getting tired or stale. Got an anniversary coming up? Try making a card or writing them a poem instead of sending flowers or buying jewelry. Your partner will thank you for the thoughtful gift and you might find you enjoy doing something different!
6. Sacrifice a habit for your partner - doing something that your partner is constantly asking you to stop? Maybe you fart as soon as you roll over every morning or don’t flush every time and it drives your partner crazy. Instead of making a resolution for yourself, tell your partner that you resolve to do something for them. Me, personally? I’m going to try and stop using derogatory language about women around my girlfriend. I’m pretty sure she’ll dig it.
7. Trade a “Never By Myself” with your partner - this is an easy one. You and your partner come up with something that you would never do on your own. This could be something as simple as “actually go in to Victoria Secret with you,” or something as crazy as, “jump out of an airplane.” Either way, pick something that your partner would love to do that you know you never would. Once you have traded your “Never By Myself,” you may find that you enjoy the activity after all.
8. Get healthier for yourself - and let your partner know that is the case. A lot of times people like to hear that they are the inspiration for change in someone. But, if you let your partner know that they inspire you to change yourself, then they will love and appreciate it even more.
9. Offer to fulfill a fantasy - this is another great one to trade! This fantasy can be romantic or not. (though if you are one of those in a relationship, and ‘getting laid’ is one of your resolutions, then you may want to make this a romantic proposition)

And the top resolution for the “Not-So-Single” for 2008:

10. If you are in a bad relationship, GET OUT - and do it quick. If you are in an abusive or negative relationship, then you owe it to yourself to get help, get out, and move on. If you are in an abusive relationship: make this resolution your top priority this year. Remember, there is all kinds of help available.

I am sitting here at work taking a breather from the code that I have been diving in all day. I’m just about finished with the task I wanted to complete for the day when I was thinking about my girlfriend, Bonnie. I was thinking of all of the things that I miss when she is not around. Then, I started to think that there were also some things I didn’t miss quite so much. So, here is my first attempt at a list for this blog:

5 Things I Miss About Bonnie When I Am at Work

• Being able to make her smile, and see it on her face.
• Seeing that look in her eyes that lets me know that she is struggling to contain herself…
• When she randomly bothers me to ask the question, “Can I sit here and bother you with something?”
• Having someone around to channel surf for me.
• The occasional, random, kiss.

So, to be honest, and to keep this blog worth reading I have to post the things that I do not miss about Bonnie when I am at work.

5 Things I Do Not Miss About Bonnie When I Am at Work

• Having to remove my headphones or turn down my music because she likes to talk to me when I am not able to listen well.
• The occasional random rant about how I should be paying more attention to her when she is ranting.
• Resisting the urge to scream when she starts cleaning everything around me. It’s not that I’m lazy, I just don’t want to right now.
• Watching her get upset at me when she starts talking on the cell phone and I do something loud. If you wanted to talk in private, why didn’t you go to a private area?
• Angling my laptop just right so she can squint her eyes to barely see the YouTube video I want to show her.