Another Year to Learn and Serve - Steve Chappell
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And so begins another year, and with it another opportunity to learn and serve. You who provide vital utility products to your communities bear a solemn responsibility, but one which I know you take seriously as proven by your record of consistent outstanding performance. That being said, it’s time to prepare that perennial list of New Year’s resolutions.
Professionally, I resolve to continue providing to you, our esteemed readers, monthly musings for as long as desired.
Personally, I am choosing a slightly different path. For decades of Januarys, your humble and highly motivated correspondent set
all the usual lofty goals with all the best of intentions. But somehow, the New Year’s resolution vehicle seemed to slide into the ditch, and I never bothered to call a tow truck.
Submitted for your review is a listing of my New Year’s Resolutions for 2016... ones I am confident I will be able to keep:
1. I resolve not to try to lose weight by going on some latest fad diet or exercise program. Thirty years ago, my uncle suffered a heart attack while jogging through his neighborhood. Rock icon U2’s Bono, while riding his bicycle, had an accident and injured his left arm so severely that his ability to play guitar again was questionable. Is trying to tack a few extra hours onto my lifespan worth the risk to life and limb? I think not.
2. I resolve not to get at least 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per day. I’ve never slept that long at one stretch...ever. I’m an "early to bed, early to rise" kind of guy. Always have been. I even fell asleep before the kickoff of the Alabama vs. Clemson game. If I get 6 hours at night (9–3), then get a nap from 2-3 in the afternoon, that’s plenty! Doesn’t always happen that way, but so far, I’m none the worse for wear. I did hate missing that game though.
3. I resolve not try to improve my golf game. I had my first golf lesson from the legendary Don Malarkey when I was 12 years old. Four years later, I was shooting in the 80s and have gotten no better since. That despite hours at the practice range and lessons from a host of PGA teaching pros including my old friend Mike Malarkey, retired coach of the University of Tennessee championship golf team (and son of Don Malarkey). I suppose I could contact Butch Harmon, but doing so would likely be a waste of both of our times. Best round ever scored: 79 at the Signal Mountain G&CC, age 17. I’ll take it!
I do resolve, however, to keep on making music as long as my fingers and mind will let me. At this point in my life, I’m convinced that Popeye was right: I am what I am, and that’s all that I am!
Happy New Year!
Professionally, I resolve to continue providing to you, our esteemed readers, monthly musings for as long as desired.
Personally, I am choosing a slightly different path. For decades of Januarys, your humble and highly motivated correspondent set
all the usual lofty goals with all the best of intentions. But somehow, the New Year’s resolution vehicle seemed to slide into the ditch, and I never bothered to call a tow truck.Submitted for your review is a listing of my New Year’s Resolutions for 2016... ones I am confident I will be able to keep:
1. I resolve not to try to lose weight by going on some latest fad diet or exercise program. Thirty years ago, my uncle suffered a heart attack while jogging through his neighborhood. Rock icon U2’s Bono, while riding his bicycle, had an accident and injured his left arm so severely that his ability to play guitar again was questionable. Is trying to tack a few extra hours onto my lifespan worth the risk to life and limb? I think not.
2. I resolve not to get at least 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per day. I’ve never slept that long at one stretch...ever. I’m an "early to bed, early to rise" kind of guy. Always have been. I even fell asleep before the kickoff of the Alabama vs. Clemson game. If I get 6 hours at night (9–3), then get a nap from 2-3 in the afternoon, that’s plenty! Doesn’t always happen that way, but so far, I’m none the worse for wear. I did hate missing that game though.
3. I resolve not try to improve my golf game. I had my first golf lesson from the legendary Don Malarkey when I was 12 years old. Four years later, I was shooting in the 80s and have gotten no better since. That despite hours at the practice range and lessons from a host of PGA teaching pros including my old friend Mike Malarkey, retired coach of the University of Tennessee championship golf team (and son of Don Malarkey). I suppose I could contact Butch Harmon, but doing so would likely be a waste of both of our times. Best round ever scored: 79 at the Signal Mountain G&CC, age 17. I’ll take it!
I do resolve, however, to keep on making music as long as my fingers and mind will let me. At this point in my life, I’m convinced that Popeye was right: I am what I am, and that’s all that I am!
Happy New Year!
