Revolution by Inches

At last, the maelstrom of graduate school applications has passed, and I'm left with an uncharacteristically large chunk of spare time. Uncluttered schedules have never agreed with me, as they lure my latent laziness and depressive tendencies out of hiding. It's only been four days, and I can feel my brain cells evaporating by the minute. To combat further mental decay, I've compiled a list of post-app goals. Consider these belated new year's resolutions:

1. Refrain from throwing things at and/or punching strangers in the wake of Republican victory in Massachusetts. As a hardened pessimist, it's hard for me not to see Brown's win as the death of health care reform, but other ways to pass legislation do exist. Fuming and moping never accomplished anything. It's time to deepen my understanding of the issues and to participate in any local efforts to influence senators and representatives.

2. Actually compose an original song, and pursue it to completion rather than giving up halfway through. Andrew Bird and Owen Pallett have a monopoly on the violinist songwriter trade, and rightly so, but sometimes I forget that I can play the instrument, too. If I resurrect my practicing routine and conjure some violin licks to combine with guitar progressions, maybe something interesting will emerge. Plus, I'd love to attempt writing lyrics again, if only to cancel out the horrendous emo dreck I wrote in high school.

3. Regularly update this blog. No, seriously. I'll start the trend with what comes easiest: writing about music. Lately, I've been rediscovering certain songs on my iPod and am aching to articulate exactly why I find them so memorable. I'm not yet sure what to call this project; it'll debut once I think of an appropriate title.

4. Not have a panic attack about grad school admissions. Easier said than done.