Black eyed peas.

I didn't eat my black eyed peas this year on January 1st.

The reasons for this are complicated and involve laziness, Blackstone, ginger bread and I just plain forgot.

Now I can't determined if I'm just completely fucked for all of 2012 or it I'll just lack SOME of my usual prosperity. I can't say I'm usually superstitious, but I usually eat my black eyed peas and have had pretty damn good luck up until this point.

Oh well, I already warned you... I'm dying young. Like a rock star.  I did eat some black eyed peas today. Hope that helps.  Maybe if I just eat them on the regular Oprah will decided to gift me half her fortune and I'll make it to the ripe old age of 101 and die peacefully in my sleep.

Anyway, I totally forgot to recap my social experimentation from 2010.  My new years resolution from 2010 was "be supportive".  Some of you may have noticed me running around like a dog trying to make it to people's special events, and picking up the phone when you called me at inappropriate times justincase you needed something. (I know it was a long time ago, but maybe you remember.)

I found out a few things that year about being supportive.  I stretched my support to not only family and friends, but acquaintances as well.  I think I got a few friends out of the deal.  I was also exhausted. I became too available.

Overall, I loved engaging in this social experiment.  I told no one that I was doing it.  I wanted to see how it would go and what the result of blindly being supportive of other human beings would be. We are social creatures. We want to love and be loved... well, mostly BE loved. I get a certain amount of joy in providing a positive, supportive face in someone's day.  If I had told people my plans the expectations would be different. They may believe I expected praise, or they may wonder why I didn't make it to their special day.

I can't tell you how my support effected others.  I never asked.

The results of my "be supportive" mantra had a mostly positive outcome for me. However, I did spread myself thin and was unable to fully devote my attention to some of the people in my life.

In 2011 I had no new years resolution.  I needed a break. I continued to do good things for my fellow humans though, and I think I have had a long term positive effect on myself from trying to be incredibly kind to others.  I hope you try it.  Even if you feel like shit sometimes just do nice things for people in your life. Do nice things for people you don't know. Show up and be a smiling face. It doesn't take much, really.

In 2012 I plan again to engage in some form of altruistic behavior.  I'll let you know how it goes.

I'm rocking this lately: