…..boy, time flies when you are having fun

It is 2012 already.......


It is hard to believe the year is ending. It seems like I just wrote my resolution column for 2011 and now here it is a new year. I have hardly had time to disregard all of my last year’s promises and goals and it is time to do it all over again.


Of course as is always the case, I am exaggerating a bit when I speak of complete disregard of my 2011 resolution list. Upon looking back, I really didn’t do too badly when it comes to the results I desired, but as we all know, there is always room for improvement. More particularly, when you are talking about me, there is A LOT of room for improvement.


One of my sidebar goals I mentioned last year was to loose 10 lbs, I am happy to report, I lost a little over twice that amount. While some of my more comedic acquaintances would ask, where did it go? I assure you, the scale doesn’t lie, well most times it doesn’t. For me, a slightly past middle-aged, waistline challenged, wanna-be BBQ cook, this quest has been quite the struggle. So here we go with resolution #1 for the New Year of 2012;


1) Keep off the weight I already lost and try to drop another 10 pound’s. For you folks that don’t pack on the lb’s just by looking at a cheeseburger on a toasted bun this might seem like an easy endeavor, but I assure you it is not. One doesn’t have to look far around any BBQ contest to see there are many who are in the same struggle. This is particularly hard when the very center of our favorite pastime is slow cooking large chunks of meat, sometimes slathered in sauce and the occasional sipping of an ice cold beverage. Needless to say, for me, it’s a continual uphill battle.


2) Stay focused and work on contest preparation- Both of these items were a part of last years list in some form or another and I think I did a pretty good job, but again, I need work. I will continually strive to keep better notes on my cooks both contest as well as practice and to be more organized in my record keeping. I have been more diligent in doing some of my prep work while at home which has lessened the work after arriving at the contest site. I like the direction I am going here and will continue to work to improve.


3) Allow more time for socializing at a contest- Now, before you drag me before the firing squad for promoting drunk and disorderly behavior at a contest, please allow me to explain. How many times while reading the forum posts and contest wrap-ups do you hear some one say, “I wish I would have more time to get around and see everybody, but I was way too busy” or something to that effect? I feel the same way, and what is worse, many of the folks I have met along the BBQ trail are people I really enjoy spending a few minutes with. I hate it when I don’t get around to see everyone. This year will be different, if possible, I will try to arrive at the site earlier and make an attempt to stay later, not be so rushed. I also believe that by working on my ‘at home’ preparation (item #2 above), this too will free me up for a bit more ‘quality time’ while at a contest. By quality time, I am talking about SOCIALIZING TIME and who could argue with that?


Well, there you have it, my resolutions for the 2012 BBQ season, almost certain to be compromised in some fashion, but certainly made today with all good intentions. Time will tell, as it always does. One thing I know I will stick with, my wish that each and every one of you have a safe, healthy, prosperous, happy and competition successful 2012!