Avenue - February 2010

DEBBIE BANCROFT by chronicles

You Say You Want a Resolution

Some of my favorite New Yorkers are promising to be even better this year—others are more realistic

Hoda Kotb

Liz Smith and Jamie Niven

Did you wake up on Jan. 1, 2010, swearing off champagne, foie gras, swinging on chandeliers and iscussing the health care bill all in the same breath? You’re not alone. But did you also reflect, perhaps later that day, on the illusion of resolutions? Cheers.

I asked a few of our favorite New Yorkers what their resolutions were, if any—we are surrounded by realists, maybe more now than ever. I also asked for predictions about what will really happen to those noble intentions, and for their thoughts on other matters. Here they are:

Liz Smith

I resolved to begin again on my novel about life after death, because even if there is no such thing, just to imagine that there is makes one feel more cheerful. I got a million bucks for my memoir, Natural Blonde. Maybe I could get $1.50 for this fiction in the current publishing climate.

What will really happen? In 2010, there will be events that are going to be so cataclysmic and important. My hope is that celebrity worship, which has reached revolting heights, may be vanquished forever. Then we can begin paying attention to the many heroes in our midst.

Brooke Shields

Ken Auletta

I no longer make New Year’s resolutions because I don’t keep them. Eat less pasta? Lose five pounds? Write shorter? Be more patient? I’m tired of apologizing.

Hoda Kotb

My resolution is to get more organized. I can be a hot mess. Will it happen? I have made the same resolution for the past five years, and I’m still looking for the other shoe. Hmmm . . . maybe 2010 is the year.

Billy Norwich
Annette Tapert

Annette Tapert

I lost two very good friends last year. Friendship takes time and nurturing. It’s easy, in a place like New York City, to get caught up with meeting new people, making new friends, making plans with the next interesting person you meet and would like to know. But my New Year’s resolution is to spend more time nurturing my existing and meaningful, long-time friendships.